About the job

Job summary

Do you want to be at the heart of real Defence issues and play a key role in the United Kingdom’s (UK) national security?

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 post will encompass a wide range of secretarial, office management and business support elements, requiring discretion, efficiency, and a calm manner. As your expertise develops, there will be opportunities to contribute directly to team results.

The team provides the overall safety and environmental protection strategy, and Emergency Planning Policy and Training, for the Defence Nuclear Enterprise. It also provides quality and timely policy-related advice to senior officials and Ministers, supporting coherent communications internally and externally on safety in the DNO and the nuclear enterprise. This requires building mutual beneficial relationships with regulators and other external stakeholders. It will also role model a positive safety culture for the Enterprise. The team has members based in both London and Bristol.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

The post supports the Deputy Director for Safety and Emergency Planning. It will also provide support to the Private Secretary to the Director of Security and Safety in the Defence Nuclear Organisation, and resilience for the Deputy Director for Enterprise Security.

Duties will include, but not limited to:

• Diary management.
• Handling key relationships across MOD, wider government and with industry partners.
• Ensuring business continuity across both the team and wider organisation.
• Supporting meetings.
• Being the first point of contact for the office.
• Understanding the priorities for senior management and reflecting that in diary commitments.
• Prioritising senior managers time and ensuring that the wider team are aware of developments and key meetings.
• Day to day business management.
• Looking after inward and outward visits.
• Hosting VIP visitors.
• Making travel arrangements

As your safety expertise develop:

• Proof reading of our project outputs: combining and using your expertise to identify content and format issues, grammar, typos etc in our processes and other documents.
• Involvement with specific projects, where required.

The successful candidate will be encouraged and supported to develop their submarine, nuclear and safety expertise through a range of appropriate learning and development opportunities available.

Due to the location of the Deputy Director and other key personnel in the team, the Post Holder will be expected to spend the majority of their time working from the Bristol office (MOD Abbey Wood), and attend the London office (Whitehall) two or more times per month for team meetings. This requirement may vary from month to month.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working.  This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity. Requirements to attend other locations for official business or work in another MOD office will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details).

Although you will be given tasks by the Deputy Director to support their work, you will report to a Line Manager based in London. However, both will have pastoral responsibilities for your role.

Person specification

Essential Skills:

• Organisation and communication skills are essential to succeeding alongside management of relationships.
• Experience working in a role providing daily assistance
• Experience working with complex diaries and booking travelling arrangements via Government software.
• Previous experience in an assistant or admin role.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Applications.
• Good written skills

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £28,300, Ministry of Defence contributes £7,641 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 and Experience.

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.

*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 and any relevant responsibilities and achievements.

If a large number of applications are received then the initial sift will be based on the CV and Personal Statement (500 words). However, evidence should be provided against all behaviours requested.

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.

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.  

You have 250 words to answer each Behaviour (competency style). 

At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles Behaviours:

• Success Profiles Behaviours
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service

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

• Success Profiles Behaviours
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service 

Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability. (500 Words)

Interviews will be conducted over Microsoft Teams

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

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.