Navy Command - Deputy Nuclear Security Authority (Coulport)

Job summary

His Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde (HMNB Clyde) is home to the United Kingdom’s Strategic Nuclear Deterrent, Astute Class Attack Submarines, First Mine Counter Measure Squadron and 43 Cdo Royal Marines. It is an operational support and maintenance base, within the Navy Command TLB and comprises both Faslane and Coulport sites. HMNB Clyde’s primary purpose is to provide engineering and logistical support to the Royal Navy in maintaining Continuous at Sea Deterrent (CASD). This is achieved by ensuring at least one Vanguard Class submarine is on patrol at sea every day of the year.

RNAD Coulport is responsible for the storage, processing, maintenance and issue of the Trident Weapon System and the ammunitioning of all submarine-embarked tactical weapons.

In Navy Command, our civil servants work alongside their military colleagues in jobs that matter; jobs which often have a direct impact on the quality of the operational capabilities we deliver. Roles can offer great job satisfaction and there are many opportunities to develop and progress both within the Ministry of Defence and across the wider Civil Service.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join HMNB Clyde as the Deputy Nuclear Security Authority (Coulport) (DNSA(C)), helping to protect one of the UK’s most critical national security missions. You will play a central role in developing, assuring, and improving the nuclear security arrangements that safeguard Accountable Nuclear Material (ANM), Defence Nuclear Information (DNI), and Defence Nuclear Assets (DNA) at RNAD Coulport.

Working as part of a specialist team, you will provide expert advice, produce security management documentation, support assurance activities, and collaborate with military, police, and civilian partners to maintain a robust and effective security posture.

Key Responsibilities

As DNSA (C), you will:

• Provide specialist advice on nuclear security matters and lead day‑to‑day nuclear security activity on behalf of the Clyde Security Organisation.
• Develop, review, and implement nuclear security management arrangements to ensure compliance with relevant MOD policy frameworks and international agreements applicable to Trident‑related material.
• Create temporary security arrangements in response to system defects, threat changes, or operational events, applying sound judgement to determine appropriate mitigations.
• Support the delivery of security improvement projects, working with the Security Capability team and site safety authorities to integrate new systems into existing arrangements.
• Contribute to assurance activity, providing evidence to the Security Assurance Authority and other inspection bodies to demonstrate compliance with relevant policy and standards.
• Monitor changes in MOD nuclear security policy, identifying opportunities to improve HMNB Clyde’s security arrangements and adopt relevant good practice.
• Support the nuclear security exercise programme, ensuring proposals and mitigations are effective and aligned with local and national nuclear security requirements.
• Undertake additional tasks as required to support the delivery of departmental outputs.

Person specification

You will be an organised, analytical and proactive individual with the ability to apply security subject matter expertise in a regulated, high‑hazard environment. You should be comfortable working collaboratively with military, police, and civilian stakeholders and confident in making evidence‑based recommendations.

Licences

Full UK driving licence

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,040, Ministry of Defence contributes £13,337 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

As a Civil Servant, you will be part of a forward-looking organisation with inclusive workplace policies, excellent career prospects, and a job that makes a difference.

Navy Command prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance. Other benefits for Navy Command Civil Servants include:

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• A very competitive pension scheme
• Personal & professional development
• Alternative & Hybrid working patterns for many roles
• Access to a confidential, professional Employee Assistance support service
• Discount schemes
• Bicycle / season ticket loans
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Special paid leave to volunteer up to 6 days a year
• On-site Facilities (gymnasium, recreational shopping mall, café, messing facilities etc)
• Free Car Parking
• Assisted Travel Scheme
• Pension contribution: 28.97%

Successful candidates can discuss their development options with their manager when in post.

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 and Experience.

Candidates should apply via CS jobs, submitting a CV and personal statement evidencing previous experience linked to the key responsibilities for the post.

Following sift, interviews will be arranged to assess competency against the behaviours required for the post.

Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history and qualification details and a Personal Statement (750 words max).

At sift, you will be assessed against your CV and Personal Statement.

At interview, you will be assessed against the following Behaviours:

• Leadership
  
• Delivering at Pace
  
• Communicating and Influencing
  
• Making Effective Decisions
  

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk .

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to 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.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a 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 : NSA-AH
• Email : navynbcc-sycsyobusmgt@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

EXTERNAL PACK Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)Candidate Information updated_ Opens in new window (docx, 32kB)Navy Applicant guide A4 - Digital Opens in new window (pdf, 2923kB)