About the job

Job summary

This is a genuinely exciting time to join the Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO) within the Ministry of Defence (MOD). You will be at the heart of real Defence issues, delivering against one of the Department’s top three priorities, in a high-profile area which is rarely out of the news.

The DNO was established in April 2016 to oversee all aspects of nuclear business within the MOD and across the wider Defence Nuclear Enterprise. The ‘Enterprise’ comprises the people that design, produce and maintain the submarines and nuclear warheads, and provide the necessary infrastructure and support. It includes organisations such as the Submarine Delivery Agency, Royal Navy, UK Strategic Command, Atomic Weapons Establishment, and industry partners such as BAE Systems, Rolls Royce and Babcock.

 

Our mission is to keep safe and capable submarines at sea today and in the future. We need a capable and credible nuclear deterrent to successfully deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life.

 

The mission of the Principal Security Advisor (PSyA) and their team is to support Chief Defence Nuclear (CDN) by ensuring the security and resilience of Command Plan outputs and establishing an effective organisation to implement security, as specified by MOD’s Director of Security and Resilience, the Defence Nuclear Security Regulator (DefNucSyR) and the MOD Chief Information Officer (CIO).

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

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 office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. 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). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements. 

 

 

Job description

There are two roles available, and candidates are to state their preference of role within the Statement of Suitability.

 

Role 1 Defence Nuclear Assurance

Location: AbbeyWood

Play a key part in contributing to the security of the UK’s nuclear deterrent. The successful candidates will get to work on a high profile, challenging and distinctive security portfolio, gaining a unique insight into the fascinating world of nuclear security.

The successful incumbents will enhance and improve the delivery of nuclear security arrangements across the Defence Nuclear Enterprise by supporting and leading on the development and implementation of Enterprise-wide security assurance processes. These are new posts and so there is significant scope to shape and develop it. However, specific responsibilities are likely to include:

• To manage the oversight, programming, and delivery of the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE) second line nuclear security assurance programme.
• Deliver a prioritised, risk-based assurance capability, deliver key improvements in the reporting of assurance outputs and risk in relation to nuclear security arrangements.
• Support the deployment, training, and development of a team of DNE assurance desk officers.
• Ensuring formal governance, reporting and communication structures
  are in place to underpin this activity.
• Ensuring coherence with – and deconfliction from – existing
  nuclear security assurance activities, providing additional support where required.
• Supporting new and emerging workstreams, to improve the security of both the DNO and the Enterprise.
• Acting as a security professional and role model, championing and sharing best practice, and embedding security culture within DNO and across the Enterprise.

 

Role 2 Resilience Advisor, Defence Critical National Infrastructure (DefCNI)

Location: The post will be based preferably at AWE Aldermaston however MOD Main Building in London is also an option.

The purpose of the role is multifaceted, unique and challenging. The post holder will provide an advisory function on Defence Resilience matters including oversight and assurance on CNI establishments and capabilities across the Defence Nuclear Enterprise. In addition, you will be responsible for owning, developing and shaping departmental business continuity policy and implementing this across the organisation. Through regular engagement with DNO programme areas and teams, as well as AWE, the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) and Strategic Command, you will maintain a strong understanding of the Nuclear landscape and the resilience risks to our sites.

 

You will be the DNO TLB lead on Defence Critical National Infrastructure (DefCNI) and Business Continuity and as such, responsible for oversight of Statements of Critical Asset Resilience (SCAR) across AWE, DNO and SDA sites, including maintenance of DNO Def CNI list on behalf of the Principal Security Advisor (PSyA). You will work closely with the DNE Enterprise Security Assurance team to support the assurance programme and work with the business management team to ensure coherence and coordination with business continuity policy, ensuring that business continuity maturity is developed at the team and SRO level.

 

The post will be based preferably at AWE Aldermaston however MOD Main Building in London is also an option. Irrespective of location, regular and frequent travel to sites will be required.

For the role:

• Advisory & awareness – you will be the DNO subject matter expert, working closely with the DNO business management teams, Defence Nuclear Security Regulator, Directorate of Security & Resilience and the DNO Enterprise Security Assurance team.
• Stakeholder management – maintain close liaison with security/resilience teams in both SDA and AWE as well as DNO directorates and programme areas.
• Requirements & Reporting - Lead on the provision and management of risk reporting, supporting security survey activity across the TLB, delivered through the Enterprise Assurance team, including DNO and MOD reporting.
• Horizon scanning – work closely with thematic leads within the PSyA team and wider, to ensure that risks and issues are understood and accounted for in policy and assurance activity. Stakeholder engagement and liaison with MOD central teams, such as DSR and CyDR on wider policy development.
• Wider Responsibilities – as we grow and develop as a team, there may be a requirement for the post holder to undertake and lead other tasks and projects in support of the wider DNO PSyA team.
• The post-holder for this role will take part in an out of hours on call Duty Officer rota for DNO Security & Resilience.

Whilst the department fully supports flexible and hybrid working, due to the sensitive nature of the roles the successful applicants will be required to attend the office on a regular basis and periodic travel to our other sites will be required.

 

 

 

 

 

Person specification

Role 1 Defence Nuclear Assurance

The ideal candidates will be energetic, enthusiastic, and engaging, with the confidence and ability to engage with colleagues across the Enterprise. Communications and interpersonal skills will be critical, as the post-holder will play an important role liaising with a wide range of MOD and Industry stakeholders.

We are looking for confident, strong, and inspiring team players but also able to work in isolation or remotely. As the Enterprise Security Team is newly formed, it is critical that candidates are flexible and adaptable, as the team will likely continue to evolve and expand in due course with additional line management responsibilities. A positive attitude and the ability to work well with a diverse range of stakeholders will be vital to our collective efforts to take security to the next level.

This is a varied and demanding position, which draws upon a range of knowledge, skills, and experience. The successful candidates will require:

Essential:

• Previous experience in delivering protective security arrangements security risk management or security assurance with supporting qualifications in protective security, security audits and risk management, or willing to obtain qualifications through training. Practical or demonstrable experience is also essential.

 

• Excellent team working skills and a focus on continuous improvement to achieve shared goals and objectives.

 

• The ability to be flexible and adaptable, working autonomously from varied locations, able to act on your own initiative, and quickly develop good working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders at all grades and ranks.

 

• Ability to effectively plan programmes of work and deliver within challenging timescales, maintaining focus in difficult situations and adapting to find solutions that meet needs of stakeholders, drawing on multiple personnel and teams to complete tasks.

 

• Strong analytical skills, providing complex written and oral reports to senior risk owners to inform them of security improvements or residual risk, with the ability to provide proportionate recommendations to improve security.

 

• A proven record of Continuous Professional Development

 

Desirable:

• Experience of working in the Defence Nuclear Enterprise and/or experience of working with HM Armed Forces, Police or civilian Defence personnel with a good awareness of HM Government protective security and policy.

• Experience of working with Critical National Infrastructure.

• Experience of embedding and leading change and developing business processes and/or Commercial and Project Management knowledge, skills and experience.

• Previous experience of applying proportionate and pragmatic protective security requirements/arrangements within Defence or HM Government.

 

Role 2 Resilience Advisor, Defence Critical National Infrastructure (DefCNI)

We are looking for an enthusiastic and talented individual, with a resilience or security background to join our committed and friendly team. This role will provide the right candidates with a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference at the heart of one of the most sensitive and high-profile programme areas within the Ministry of Defence. The successful post holder will need to build their understanding of the MOD and the Defence Nuclear landscape at pace and the following experience is essential in support of an application:  

 

Essential:

The successful applicant will need to have proven experience in the following:

• The ability to be flexible and adaptable, able to act on your own initiative, and quickly develop good working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders at all grades and ranks;

 

• Performing effectively to deadlines, maintaining focus in challenging situations and adapting to find solutions that meet needs of stakeholders, drawing on multiple personnel and teams to complete tasks;

 

• Strong drafting and briefing skills – able to quickly analyse complex information and present it clearly to senior officials and Ministers, while offering appropriate advice and guidance;

 

• Previous experience of resilience and/or security within HM Government, HM Armed Forces or industry and any relevant security policy or strategy background;

 

Desirable: 

• Understanding and experience of Resilience and Security matters in a Defence and/or National environment. 
• Completion of NPSA/CPNI Foundation Course
• Ability to self-motivate and exposure to working in a semi-autonomous environment.
• Understanding and exposure to the policy, requirements, and assurance of CNI activity and sites.
• Experience of leading Business Continuity activity. 
• Relevant professional qualifications/memberships

 

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 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 requested sections in the appropriate competency style.

The sift assessment will be based on the key achievements and experience demonstrated in your CV and Statement of Suitability which match the essential and desirable requirements for the role.

If invited to interview, applicants will be tested against the following Civil Service Behaviours:

• Leadership
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing

Candidates will be required to complete an online CV template to include job history, previous experiences, and skills. Please also include responsibilities and key achievements.

Candidates will also be required to complete a Statement of Suitability, outlining how they meet the criteria of the role of no more than 750 words. Please also include your role preference. 

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

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.