An inclusive environment for all
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where employees feel comfortable being themselves. We also want everyone to feel that their voices matter, that all cultures are respected, and that perspectives, as diverse as they are, are not only welcome, but essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity, regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation or any other distinguishing aspect.
At Rio Tinto, we welcome and encourage applications from women, older workers, persons with disabilities and representatives from diverse backgrounds.
Everyone is different, and we believe that these differences are our strength. The diversity of skills, life experiences, and perspectives within our team enhances the way we work and our ability to succeed together.
Principal Objectives
We are looking for a
TSV Fleet Assurance person to work closely with the Simfer TSV team and their contractor(s) partners. The role’s primary purpose is to provide asset management, technical assurance and governance oversight to ensure the TSV Fleet Manager for Operations and Maintenance is effectively governed, with sufficient internal technical capability retained to protect asset integrity, manage lifecycle risk, and ensure safe, compliant and reliable TSV fleet performance in line with Rio Tinto standards and contractual obligations. The role supports the management of marine and product regulatory risks and the embedding of safe work practices for transshipment operations, and is central to ensuring safe, reliable and efficient marine operations within the Simfer Project.
The role also retains SMG Simfer’s accountability for Contractor Management System (CMS) governance, providing independent oversight of contractor performance, compliance and risk to ensure the TSV marine contract is effectively governed.
Direct report TSV Manager (SMG Terminal Ops Manager), Based in Guinea.
Role & Responsibilities
The TSV Fleet Senior Advisor provides asset management, technical assurance, contract and Contractor Management System (CMS) oversight on behalf of Simfer, ensuring the TSV Fleet Manager delivers safe, compliant, reliable and cost‑effective fleet operations in accordance with Rio Tinto, Simfer and CTG standards, contractual obligations and regulatory requirements. The role acts as the owner’s retained technical and CMS capability, supporting informed decision‑making and effective governance of the Fleet Manager.
People & Leadership
- Provide technical, asset management and CMS leadership as Simfer’s Owner’s Representative for the TSV fleet, supporting effective governance of the Fleet Manager.
- Act as a trusted technical and contract advisor to the TSV Manager and SMG leadership, providing independent insight, challenge and recommendations on fleet performance, asset integrity, CMS compliance, risk and lifecycle decisions.
- Build and maintain strong, professional working relationships with the Fleet Manager, marine contractors, OEMs and internal Simfer / CTG stakeholders to support safe, reliable and CMS‑compliant TSV operations.
- Influence outcomes through expert judgement, data‑driven analysis and stakeholder engagement, rather than direct line authority.
- Support a culture of clear accountability and ownership, ensuring CMS roles and responsibilities between Simfer, COSCO and contractors are well understood and upheld.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as Simfer’s Owner’s Representative for the TSV fleet, providing independent technical, asset management and CMS oversight of the Fleet Manager (COSCO).
- Act as the accountable CMS representative for TSV operations, ensuring COSCO’s systems, procedures and work practices align with Simfer / CTG CMS requirements, contractual obligations and applicable maritime standards (ISM, ISPS, MLC).
- Monitor and review contractor performance against contractual KPIs, CMS compliance requirements and HSSE performance indicators, escalating non‑conformances through agreed governance pathways.
- Lead or support formal contractor performance and CMS reviews, including monthly and quarterly performance assessments with support from Procurement team.
- Provide technical and CMS input to the assessment of contract variations, change requests, fleet modifications and operational changes, ensuring risks are identified, assessed and managed prior to implementation.
- Provide assurance that health, safety and environmental risks are being appropriately managed by the Fleet Manager, without assuming operational HSE ownership.
- Interface with internal Simfer teams (HSSE, Legal, Procurement, Finance), marine contractors, OEMs, regulators and classification societies to support CMS compliance, asset integrity, contract performance and fleet reliability.
- Support continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to strengthen CMS maturity, contractor performance, fleet reliability and long‑term asset value.
Education And Qualifications
- Marine background required Bachelor’s in Engineering or Business (preferably Marine, Mechanical, Electrical, or Marine Power & Propulsion) or equivalent senior maritime operational experience.
- Marine certification (e.g., Chief Engineer or Master Mariner) or equivalent high-level vessel operations and asset management experience is highly valued.
- Additional strengths may include finance, commercial, or analytics expertise, especially in asset lifecycle cost management and performance optimisation; asset management certification is a plus.
- 7–10+ years of maritime industry experience spanning operations, technical roles, asset management, and/or strategy, including acting as an Owner’s Representative overseeing third-party operators.
- Strong expertise in asset lifecycle management such as dry-docking, maintenance planning, defect management, reliability assurance, and shipboard systems (including condition monitoring and failure analysis).
- Solid knowledge of regulatory and operational frameworks (ISM, class, statutory compliance), outsourced operating models, and broader maritime ecosystem, including emissions and port operations (advantageous).
- Proven experience in contractor and fleet management, including using Contractor Management Systems (CMS) for performance monitoring, governance, and oversight of high-risk marine contractors.
Background Skills
- Demonstrates strong collaboration, inclusion, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence across diverse teams while constructively challenging external partners.
- Highly driven, adaptable, and resilient, with a strong sense of urgency and ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and maintain operational compliance.
- Strong commercial and analytical mindset, linking technical decisions to cost, risk, and value, combined with proven project and contractor management capability (including CMS governance and assurance).
What We Offer
Get recognition for your contributions, your ability to think, your hard work, and the satisfaction of knowing that you have helped the world move forward.
- Work environment where safety is always the top priority
- Competitive base salary based on your skills and experience
- Annual cash incentives for eligible employees
- Career development opportunities and training assistance to achieve your aspirations
- Access to family-friendly health programs, top-notch retirement and savings plans
- Wellness benefits
- Rio Tinto's generous employee stock ownership plan
- Employee Assistance Program
- One-on-one wellness support (personal and professional matters) for you and your family
- Comprehensive leave policy covering all important life moments (vacation/annual, paid parental leave, etc.)
About The Simandou Project
The Simandou Iron Ore Project is located in the Republic of Guinea, West Africa. It is Africa’s largest infrastructure and mining project and represents one of the largest known reserves of high-grade iron ore in the world.
Rio Tinto holds rights to Simandou Blocks 3 and 4 through SimFer, a joint venture between the Government of the Republic of Guinea, Rio Tinto and Chalco Iron Ore Holdings (CIOH). Construction of the mine, together with the associated rail and port infrastructure, is well underway with first production from the SimFer mine expected in 2025.
About Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a global leader in the mining and materials companies. We are established in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminum, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and the prosperity of people, communities, and nations. We have been in business for 150 years, drawing on knowledge accumulated over generations and on different continents. Our mission – to find better ways to provide the materials the world needs – guides us in our quest for innovation and continuous improvement, with the goal of making products that are low in emissions and meet the right environmental, social and governance standards. But because we can't do it alone, we focus on creating partnerships that allow us to solve problems, create mutually beneficial situations and seize opportunities.