Chief Officer (XO - SDPO)

Chief Officer / Senior Dynamic Positioning Officer (XO – SDPO)

Location: Shipboard- RFA Support

Salary: Competitive salary plus excellent benefits
Schedule: Fixed Term – 24 months. Full time – 5 weeks on / 5 weeks off.

Ready to impact a better future?

Offshore Operations (RFA Support) supply key Merchant Navy professionals to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), delivering specialist support to ensure safe, efficient, and mission-ready crewing for global defence operations. We are now seeking an experienced Chief Officer / Senior Dynamic Positioning Officer (SDPO) to join our team and serve aboard RFA vessels under the operational command of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

This is a unique opportunity to apply your maritime leadership, DP expertise, and professional judgement in a highly respected defence-support environment. You will play a pivotal role in ensuring safe navigation, vessel stability, cargo and fuel integrity, and dynamic positioning across a diverse and challenging operational profile.

What you’ll do as a Chief Officer (XO – SDPO)

You’ll be entrusted to:

• Lead and manage the organisation, administration, and operational readiness of ship operations.
• Oversee seamanship activities to maintain a continuous state of preparedness.
• Maintain ship husbandry standards, ensuring equipment, machinery, and designated areas remain serviceable and well preserved.
• Plan and manage the ship’s programme and tasking to deliver commitments safely and efficiently.
• Manage the ship’s sea safety training requirements in line with continuation training guidance.
• Oversee the welfare, safety, discipline, effectiveness, and training of embarked Officer Cadets.
• Coordinate the vessel’s security organisation in line with relevant doctrine.
• Work with the Master to ensure correct loading, discharge, and ballasting, complying with stress, strain, and stability requirements.
• Ensure all cargo, stores, and deck equipment are secured before departure and confirm hatches, holds, and openings are watertight.

Does this sound like you?

You’ll be a great fit for this role if you have:

• Ability to achieve Security Check (SC) clearance (Candidates will need a UK Passport to achieve).
• NI SDPO qualification with relevant experience.
• Certificate of Competence as Chief Officer (Unlimited).
• Valid STCW refresher training (Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities; Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting; Proficiency in Survival Craft; Designated Security Duties; Elementary First Aid).
• Unrestricted ENG1 medical and valid passport.
• Ship Security Officer Certification.
• A methodical, organised approach and a high standard of general education.

Vetting and checks:
This role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance, which includes verification of your identity, employment history, nationality, and criminal record in line with UK Government security standards.

In addition, you will be required to obtain formal Security Clearance (such as CTC or SC), involving more detailed background checks on your employment history, criminal record, and financial circumstances to confirm your suitability for work in secure environments. Please note that UK residency requirements apply.

You will also be asked to complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire to help us identify and provide any support you may need to perform the role effectively.

Discover all you need to keep growing
We’re one of the top 1% of international employers, so you can have confidence you’ll be part of a highly supportive culture with leaders you can count on to help you achieve your goals. From mentoring and training to our focus on internal progression, we’re proud to offer clear development opportunities – and the support and tools to help you seize them.

What we offer

• Holidays: 25 days plus bank holidays (and the option to buy up to five additional leave days each year)
• Pension: Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
• Training and development: Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships (including L3 Team Leader and L5 Operations Manager apprenticeships), mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression
• Health and wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
• Discounts: Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
• Charity: Paid volunteering day, tax-free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity
• Employee networks: Our networks support inclusion and connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, veterans, and people from all cultural backgrounds.

Let’s impact a better future, together. Apply today.

To discover more about our careers in Defence, meet our team, and to find out more about what we offer, please follow this Link. 

Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens, we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment. 

At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. As a proud Disability Confident Leader and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard, disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview. 

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