About the job

Job summary

Established in April 2016, the Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO) delivers nuclear capability to deter threats and protect our nation.

The DNO oversees all defence nuclear business (excluding operations) and is responsible for providing nuclear deterrence; sponsoring the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (all the organisations, programmes and people that sustain the UK’s nuclear deterrent); and advising on UK nuclear policy, planning and international co-operation on nuclear matters.

The UK’s independent nuclear deterrent has existed for over 60 years to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, and that of our NATO Allies. To ensure that we have a credible and capable nuclear deterrent for as long as the security situation requires, we are building four new nuclear armed submarines – known as the Dreadnought Class – and replacing our nuclear warheads. These renewal programmes will utilise world-leading technology and are a showcase in science and engineering, highlighting the prowess of British industry. 

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 know that diverse teams bring a wide range of perspectives, experiences and ideas, which lead to better decision-making, creativity and innovation. 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 Submarine Capability Directorate is the focus for Defence-wide leadership of submarine capability management and programme delivery, with a vision to be a strong and effective Sponsor for submarine capabilities in support of national strategy, maintaining today’s operational advantage and planning for the future. As a member of the Dreadnought Programme Team, you will be working on one of the most complex engineering programmes being undertaken in Government. Our role is to ensure we deliver on the vision to maintain the UK’s sovereign ability to deliver a deterrent effect by means of a submarine-launched, inter-continental ballistic missile nuclear weapon capability – known as the Continuous at Sea Deterrent (CASD).

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

The role of the Dreadnought Programme Support Officer is to own and lead our governance processes through:

• An ability to bring together a coherent governance approach across all Defence Lines of Development
• Leading the reporting drumbeat for the Dreadnought Programme
• Acting as an advocate for the programme in governance and engagements with other Programme Management Offices
• Providing additional support as required for the wider team activities
• 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

Operating in a highly complex environment, we need you to help us work with multiple organisations and partners, including the Royal Navy, to deliver the full military capability into service; this is a one of a kind, no-fail mission.

Person specification

To be successful in your new role, you will:

• Be proactive, taking full responsibility for your portfolio of responsibilities.
• Be ambitious and driven, seeking new and challenging goals.
• Have strong stakeholder management experience, comfortable operating within a complex environment with multiple stakeholder groups.
• Have proven communications and influencing skills, with well-developed written and verbal communication skills to ensure effective collaboration with our stakeholders and external partners.
• Be used to working to challenging deadlines, organised and efficient with your time and able to prioritise and deliver quickly but to a high standard.
• Have experience of working in a small to moderate project team.
• Have knowledge of project management practices, methodologies, tools, and techniques to contribute to successful project delivery.

Required Qualifications: APM PMQ or equivalent.

Desirable Qualifications: Management of Risk, Member of the Association of Project Management (MAPM), Project Delivery Accreditation - Practitioner 

Essential Skills: Secretariat experience

Desirable Skills: Previous experience of submarine acquisition; Previous experience in Submarine Delivery Agency / Defence Nuclear Organisation / Defence Equipment and Support

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £43,080, Ministry of Defence contributes £11,631 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

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

Candidates will be required to complete an online CV template to include job history, full details of education and qualifications and previous experiences and skills. Please also include any relevant responsibilities and achievements.

Candidates will also be required to provide a Statement of Suitability as part of the selection process. (500 Words)

At sift and interview, you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles

Behaviours

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

Technical Skills

• Project Capability Delivery Framework (PCDF) Governance
• Project Capability Delivery Framework (PCDF)  Stakeholder Engagement

If a large number of applications are received then the initial sift will be based on CV, Personal Statement and the Governance Technical Competence only, However, evidence should be provided against all behaviours requested.

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 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.

The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and 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.

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.