About the job

Job summary

Established in April 2016, the Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO) delivers nuclear capability to deter threats and protect our nation and oversees all defence nuclear business (excluding operations).

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. 

AUKUS is a trilateral defence and security partnership between the UK, US and Australia. Delivery of the AUKUS programme is a key priority for DNO, supporting Australia to acquire conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability. The publicly announced March 2023 AUKUS Optimal Pathway outlined the trilateral next steps for achieving that, culminating in the creation of a joint class of submarine. This would be based on the UK’s next-generation submarine design with incorporated technology from all three nations, and would be built and operated by the UK and Australia. DNO’s AUKUS team are establishing a complex programme to deliver on this ambition, requiring cross-Government support and routine Ministerial, Senior Official and international engagement. This role will be within that team.

More information on AUKUS is here: The AUKUS nuclear powered submarine pathway: a partnership for the future - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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. 

Position advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

This role sits within the AUKUS UK Programme Delivery Office (‘PDO’), which coheres the UK’s activity in support of the AUKUS endeavour. This role will lead on scheduling, planning and scope management for all activities that make up the UK’s contribution to AUKUS. This will include working with stakeholders such as the UK’s Navy Command and the Submarine Delivery Agency, an Arm’s Length Body of the Ministry of Defence. The delivery of the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine programme is a wide ranging undertaking reaching across three countries, numerous government agencies and a wide range of industry partners. 

The Lead Scheduler / Project Planner (depending on which terminology you use) will be responsible for creating and maintaining a set of programme schedules / plans and incorporating a method for timely monitoring and progress reporting against these schedules. They will also lead on scope management, including evolving work breakdown structures.

Person specification

Given the ‘forming’ stage of the UK Programme Delivery Office (‘PDO’), the postholder will be a proactive self-starter; willing to lean into other areas of the team as priorities demand. As they establish and curate a wide network, they will constantly look to incorporate best-practice into PDO processes and products, and will be an enthusiastic ambassador for the AUKUS programme, able to concisely communicate the benefits to all areas of Defence. There will also be considerable scope for the post holder to shape the role to fit emerging requirements.

Responsibilities will include: 

• Lead on the Programme Management Office’s approach to scheduling / planning, milestones reporting and scope management.
• Maintain and develop a high-quality, integrated schedule / plan that covers all of the existing workstreams making up the UK’s contributions to AUKUS.
• Ensure a range of stakeholders are involved in the development and approval of baseline schedules.
• Ensure the programme reflects all required milestones, key dates and dependencies.
• Track progress against the project schedule including forecasting of potential problem areas and proposing mitigation measures to support decision making. Report on progress, including to Deputy Director and Direct level forums.
• Provide planning and scheduling expertise in support of a project team or wider programme, sharing knowledge with and supporting less experienced members of the team.
• Utilise project / programme management best practice.
• Lead on evolving work breakdown structures for the workstreams in the UK contributing to AUKUS, helping them develop and manage their scope.
• Line management for an HEO (C2 band), including staff development and performance management.
• Deputise for the PDO Programme Management Office Manager when necessary.

Essential Skills:

• Experience in scheduling / planning and scope management.
• In particular, experience in the use of the P6 scheduling software or a similar tool (we are currently using P6 and plan to continue to do so).
• Strong stakeholder management skills: ability to establish and develop productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, bringing people together to benefit the project.
• Leadership experience: You will have the ability to set clear direction and able to motivate others to work towards a common goal.
• Excellent communication skills: can clearly communicate messages to colleagues and stakeholders, whilst overcoming barriers, and taking into consideration diversity of interest.

Desirable Qualifications:

• A qualification in P6 / a similar software (or practical on the job experience)
• One of: PRINCE2 Practitioner; Agile Project Manager Practitioner; APM Project Management Qualification; Managing Successful Programmes; or a similar qualification.

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.

This post is classed as ‘Reserved’ as per the Civil Service Nationality Rules. For further information please see the attached documents.

Candidates will be required to complete a Personal Statement (250 words) and 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.

At sift, you will be assessed against your CV, Personal Statement and the following Technical Skills:

• Candidates will be required to provide evidence of their experience as a Project Planner / Scheduler, using the Government Project Delivery Capability Framework v3 (attached to the advert) - Page 31 (4) Planning and (5) Scheduling and Pages 71-72 ‘Project Planner.

If a large number of applications are received then the initial sift will be based on the Personal Statement and CV only. 

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

• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Professionals in Government

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

This post is classed as ‘Reserved’ as per the Civil Service Nationality Rules. For further information please see the attached documents.

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.  

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.

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.

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.
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 

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 security check (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.