Defence Nuclear Organisation - Nuclear Fuels Programme Materials and Nuclear Liabilities Assistant Head

Job summary

The Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO) is responsible for the provision of the nuclear deterrent, encompassing our submarines and nuclear warheads, while also advising on UK nuclear planning and fostering international co-operation on nuclear matters. With a multidisciplinary team of over 700 professionals, the DNO brings together expertise in science, engineering, finance, policy, programme delivery, and more. We work in partnership with the Royal Navy, the Submarine Delivery Agency and the Atomic Weapons Establishment as the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE).

Here at DNO we strongly believe that diversity and inclusion is not only the right thing to do but is also essential for a thriving and successful organisation. We have a culture where differences are celebrated, and our people feel supported, included and empowered. Join us and be part of an organisation that truly values diversity and inclusion and makes a positive impact on the world.

The Nuclear Fuels Programme (NFP) sits within the newly established 3* area within the DNO. The programme’s purpose is to re-establish a nuclear fuel cycle for reactor fuel for defence purposes, underpinning the UK’s nuclear deterrent. The programme operates as a blended team of MOD civil servants, UKGI, and external specialists, working across multiple locations and in partnership with industry, regulators and international stakeholders.

As the programme's lead specialist for nuclear liabilities and nuclear material management, the Materials and Nuclear Liabilities assistant head will provide expert technical advice across a broad portfolio including nuclear materials stewardship, waste management, environmental compliance, nuclear accountancy and inventory management. You will work with a diverse range of stakeholders across government, regulators, industry partners, internationally and the wider Defence Nuclear Enterprise to develop and implement strategies that support safe, compliant and effective programme delivery.

The role offers the opportunity to influence policy, shape future programme requirements, lead complex technical workstreams and contribute to nationally significant activities in a highly regulated environment.

This post is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

As the Materials and Nuclear Liabilities Assistant Head, you will provide technical leadership for the management of nuclear materials, liabilities and associated regulatory requirements across a strategically important defence programme.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the development and maintenance of strategies relating to nuclear liabilities, decommissioning, waste management and nuclear material stewardship.
• Provide specialist technical advice and assurance to programme teams, senior leaders and external stakeholders.
• Ensure programme activities remain aligned with relevant legislative, regulatory and industry good practice requirements.
• Develop and maintain arrangements for nuclear material accountancy, control and inventory management in line with the requirements set by DNO’s Nominal Owner of Accountable Nuclear Material.
• Work with internal and external partners to maintain robust assurance processes and governance arrangements.
• Engagement with regulatory, assurance and technical stakeholders on matters relating to nuclear material management and nuclear liabilities.
• Develop plans and strategies for the management of nuclear materials, liabilities and associated by-products throughout their lifecycle.
• Coordinate technical inputs across multidisciplinary teams to support programme delivery.
• Identify, assess and manage risks, issues, dependencies and opportunities relating to the role's areas of responsibility.
• Facilitate, support and enable audits, reviews, inventory checks and assurance activities to ensure compliance with regulatory and technical requirements.
• Provide subject matter expertise to support the development of national and international policy, regulation and legislation.
• Contribute to programme planning, requirements management and future capability development.
• Maintain oversight of nuclear material inventories and provide technical assurance of associated data, plans and reporting.

NFP is a growing area operating within a dynamic and evolving environment. As the organisation develops, new priorities and responsibilities may emerge, and the post holder may be required to support a broader range of activities to ensure successful programme delivery.

Due to the pace of delivery and requirement for regular workplace attendance this role is not suitable for part-time or job share candidates.

Hybrid and flexible working can be considered for this post but will need regular workplace attendance due to security constraints. Candidates are encouraged to discuss options with the recruiting line manager before submitting an application.

This post is on the MOD Civilian Nuclear Post Control List (PCL) and may attract the Nuclear Recruitment and Retention Allowance (RRA). This is a discretionary allowance. The post being listed on the PCL does not mean that the post holder will have an automatic entitlement to receive the RRA. The NSQEP RRA is not a contractual allowance and can be amended or withdrawn without notice in line with MOD Main and Submarine Delivery Agency policy.

As the post holder will have access to very sensitive information, there are limitations on travelling to a small number of countries and we will undertake additional security checks as part of the recruitment process. Applications from candidates with close connections to certain countries may take considerably longer to process, or in some cases result in a withdrawal of an offer of employment. Further details will be provided at the conditional offer stage.

Person specification

Essential Skills: Significant experience operating within a highly regulated technical, engineering, nuclear, environmental, scientific or industrial environment.

• Experience developing and implementing technical strategies, material throughput models, policies, governance frameworks or assurance arrangements.
• Experience providing specialist technical advice to senior stakeholders and influencing decision-making regarding nuclear material management and inventories.
• Strong understanding of risk management, regulatory compliance and assurance processes.
• Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships across multiple organisations.
• Ability to interpret, analyse and communicate complex technical information to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams or coordinating delivery across diverse stakeholder group.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Degree (Level 6 or equivalent) in a relevant scientific, engineering, environmental, nuclear, physics, chemistry, materials, or technical discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Professional training or qualifications relating to nuclear safety, environmental management, radioactive waste management or programme management.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience of nuclear material accountancy, inventory management or nuclear materials stewardship.
• Experience of radioactive waste management, environmental permitting or decommissioning activities.
• Knowledge of UK nuclear regulatory frameworks and associated good practice.
• Experience working with government, regulators, international partners or the wider nuclear sector.
• Experience contributing to policy, regulatory or legislative development.
• Experience supporting major programmes, complex infrastructure projects or nationally significant capabilities.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Seeing the Big Picture

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Nuclear Competence Framework - [7.1 Conducting or supervising accountancy of nuclear material and irradiated fuel to maintain the inventory of the Defence Nuclear Programme.]

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £61,630, Ministry of Defence contributes £17,854 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• On-site Gym
• Cycle Loan (Advance on Salary)
• Thank You Scheme
• Defence Sports & Recreational Association (DSRA)
• Defence Discount Service
• On-site Nursery

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working

environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Candidates can apply online via the Civil Service Jobs website by completing the application form before the deadline shown. Apply using the Civil Service Jobs apply button, filling in all required details in all sections. Using the Success Profiles link for information on format and style, ensure you provide evidence for all Behaviours and Experience sections requested in the appropriate competency style.

Please note that not following the appropriate format will mean that you may be unable to reach the required grades for sift or interview.

Candidates will be required to complete an online CV template to include job history/qualification details/previous skills and experience. Please also include any relevant responsibilities and achievements.

Candidates will be required to provide a Personal Statement of Suitability which should be a maximum of 500 words that sets out your motivation for applying and shows how your skills and experience meet the essential/desirable requirements for the role.

At sift, you will be assessed against your CV, Statement of suitability and the following Behaviours:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing

The requirements for the role have been benchmarked and these will be used to sift all candidates, with those meeting the minimum requirements invited to interview.

At interview, you will be assessed against the following:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical Skill

The Technical Skill Nuclear Competence Framework 7.1 Conducting or supervising accountancy of nuclear material and irradiated fuel to maintain the inventory of the Defence Nuclear Programme together with your experience, will be assessed.

Presentation

You will also be required to deliver a short technical presentation, which will be assessed against the relevant technical skills. Full details will be provided to candidates invited to interview.

Interviews will be conducted face to face at MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol.

Candidates who are found to meet an acceptable standard at interview but are not successful in one of the advertised posts may be considered for similar roles within the Business Unit.

Further information:

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points-based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system.
Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.

The Defence Nuclear Organisation plays a vital role in supporting the delivery of the UK’s independent strategic nuclear deterrent. To help enhance security, staff working for the DNO are encouraged to always exercise a high level of discretion in sharing information or talking about their work. As part of the application process, we ask that you do not tell anyone other than your partner or close family member about your application to join the DNO. You should not mention your application on social media or discuss it with anyone else at this stage.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : DNO Recruitment Team
• Email : DNO-ExternalRecruiting@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk

Further information

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk.

Attachments

Civil-Service-Nationality-rules Opens in new window (pdf, 218kB)20230120-Nationality_Requirements-Candidates-O Opens in new window (pdf, 67kB)2024_Nuclear Competence Framework_ver_2.1_O Opens in new window (pdf, 1754kB)Defence Internal Brief notice Opens in new window (docx, 25kB)