About the job

Job summary

The UK’s minimum credible independent nuclear deterrent, assigned to the defence of NATO, is the foundational component of our national security. It ensures that potential adversaries can never use their capabilities to threaten the UK or our NATO allies or to deter us from taking the action required to maintain regional and global security and stability. In a more contested and volatile world, our nuclear deterrent is as important as it has ever been.

The Defence Nuclear Organisation is responsible for delivering the nuclear deterrent and oversees the Defence Nuclear Enterprise - all the organisations, programmes and people involved in that endeavour. We work in close partnership with the Royal Navy, who have operated the Continuous At Sea Deterrent for over 60 years.

We are currently undertaking an historic investment in our nuclear deterrence capability to ensure we are ready to face the threats of the future. This includes building the new Dreadnought class of submarines and replacing our nuclear warheads. These are some of the biggest, most complex, and most technologically advanced programmes ever undertaken.

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. 

NATO and International team

We are recruiting for a C2/HEO Policy Adviser in the NATO & International team. The team works through NATO and bilaterally with NATO Allies to influence NATO's nuclear strategy in support of UK and NATO defence and deterrence aims. As one of the three NATO Allies that possess nuclear weapons and one of only two nuclear weapons states (alongside the US) that participates in NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group, the UK plays an important role in influencing the NATO agenda and encouraging NATO nuclear adaptation and decision-making as means of maintaining an effective nuclear deterrence posture.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

As a C2 Policy Adviser you will be working at the forefront of one the Government's top priority policy areas, nuclear deterrence.

You will work at the heart of the UK’s nuclear deterrent’s role in NATO, organising and delivering key bilateral engagements. The role will also manage a crucial project at the cornerstone of Euro-Atlantic security, including providing briefings and updates to Ministers and Senior Officials.

The successful candidate will collaborate within the DNO, across Government and with our international partners to help Ministers and Senior Officials understand the increasingly complex international environment and how we can reduce its risk to the UK and the robust open international order. The post holder will become a policy professional and expert on these emerging debates in order to provide policy advice which will help shape future capability decisions.  

The ideal candidate will be energetic, enthusiastic, and engaging, with the confidence and ability to engage with colleagues across the Ministry of Defence and wider Government, internationally and with non-governmental organisations. The ideal candidate should want to learn and apply policy development skills to identify tricky issues, develop evidenced policy solutions and oversee delivery.

The post holder will be required to draft clear briefings for a range of audiences, articulating technical concepts in plain English. They must be able to plan their work to deliver multiple outputs to deadline, reprioritising to meet urgent requirements as needed. They will need to be able to work collaboratively on challenging problems and be willing to engage a wide stakeholder network within and outside of government, as well as apply a range of analysis methods to address those problems.

A reserve list will be held for 12 months following the recruitment of the successful candidate.

Person specification

Key responsibilities

• Understand the remit of the UK’s nuclear deterrent and its role within the NATO mission.
• Project manage an important area of Defence work, working directly with key stakeholders across the Department and more widely to deliver on a key MOD priority.
• Provide briefing, written and in-person, to key Senior Officials and decision makers.
• Support the team to prepare for regular NATO committee meetings in the nuclear portfolio.
• Support the team with organising ad hoc projects, visits, and events in the NATO nuclear portfolio.
• Support the team with organising and providing the Secretariat for cross-government NATO nuclear meetings.
• Support organisation and delivery of key bilateral engagements with international governments.

Essential criteria

• The ability to develop and maintain networks across multiple teams and departments to assist in the delivery of key tasks.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working on, or studying defence or foreign policy
• Experience of project managing a programme of work 
• Experience of briefing complex issues to senior stakeholders or Ministers.

This role is based in MoD Main Building on Whitehall. Due to the nature of the work, this job requires the majority of work to be completed in office or at alternative secure locations. We are committed to flexible working arrangements and are happy to discuss solutions. The Security Clearance required for this role is DV.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,290, Ministry of Defence contributes £9,528 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.

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.You have 250 words to answer each Behaviour

*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.

At Sift, you will be assessed on;

• Behaviours:
• Working Together 
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

• CV - to include job history and previous experiences and skills. Please also include any relevant responsibilities and achievements.
• Personal Statement- which should be a maximum of 250 words that sets out your motivation for applying and shows how your skills and experience meet the essential / desirable requirements for the role.

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

However, evidence should be provided against all behaviours requested.

At Interview, you will be assessed on;

• Behaviours:
• Working Together
• Seeing the Big Picture 
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Experience

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 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.