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. 

Within SSPAG, our role is to assess the performance of deterrent capabilities and operations.  We conduct analysis, assessments and assurance audits, providing recommendations to the most senior MOD officials, including the Chief of Defence Nuclear, Chief of the Naval Staff and Chief of Defence Staff to support senior decision making 

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

Within the team, you will lead on assurance of a specific Nuclear Deterrence portfolio, undertaking assessment of delivery of our nuclear deterrence policy and advising senior decision makers on key strategic challenges and opportunities.

You will be responsible for planning and delivering your assurance activities – identifying the key strategic questions to answer and how you will conduct the assurance.

Your remit will cover the whole spectrum of a particular deterrence portfolio – Strategy, Intelligence, Policy development, Governance, operational and capability delivery – identifying where activity is/is not in line with requirements or could be delivered more effectively, identifying risks and opportunities and ultimately recommendations for senior colleagues to take forward.

You will build a network of professional relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders, military and civilian colleagues, agencies and contractors, from planners and policy leads through to those who deliver and operate the capabilities.

The post holder will not be expected to be a deep subject matter expert at the start.

You will be supported to develop expertise in your areas of responsibility – in nuclear deterrence processes and capabilities, as well as in general assurance and audit approaches.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to support wider investigations into deterrent capability and operations, working alongside other SSPAG teams.

Overall, successful candidates will be involved with a high profile and distinctive portfolio and gain an outstanding insight into the world of the Deterrent.

Flexible and condensed working patterns can be considered for this post but due to security constraints the role is not suitable for hybrid working. Candidates are encouraged to discuss options with the recruiting line manager before submitting an application.

Person specification

We are looking for someone who would thrive from the opportunity to have an impact on issues at the very heart of our national security.

You would bring good analytical skills and intellectual curiosity and demonstrate objectivity and high levels of integrity in the face of challenges to your assessments by peers or senior decision makers.

You would enjoy working in collaborative environments and be expected to build networks across the Nuclear Enterprise. This role will expose you to key aspects of Deterrent delivery and you will have trusted access to decision makers, so you will need to be confident in your presentation of complex information.

We encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds.  Although not essential, and training will be provided, you would benefit from an understanding of one or more of the following areas:

• Previous experience in conducting capability assessments/assurance/audit activities. 
• Use of data driven methodologies to improve the output/function of an organisation.
• Understanding of Intelligence and Security Assessments.
• Understanding of Military Capability Management.
• Understanding of the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.

A degree or equivalent experience in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) subject is desirable, but not essential, for the role.

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.

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process and at Interview:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• CV: details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience. 

Nationality Requirements - Further Information for Candidates

1.  This post is classed as ‘Reserved’ as per Civil Service Nationality Rules Section 3. In accordance with these rules, ‘only UK nationals may be employed in reserved posts in the Civil Service’1 (Paragraph. 3.1).

UK National Definition

2.  The definition of a ‘UK National’ can be found at Paragraphs. 1.4-1.8 of the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

Dual Nationals

3.  As per Paragraph. 1.41 of the Civil Service Nationality Rules:

    a. ‘Candidates with dual nationality are in principle eligible for employment in the

Civil Service provided that they meet the requirements in relation to one of their nationalities [i.e. UK National]. They may not be eligible, however, for employment in certain reserved posts where additional nationality requirements are imposed.’

Additional Restrictions for Reserved Posts

4.  As per Paragraphs. 3.10-3.11 of the Civil Service Nationality Rules:

   a. ‘…departments and agencies are entitled to impose additional

requirements in reserved posts if this is considered necessary. This could include, for example, requirements as to the residency of the applicant or the nationality of one or both parents of the applicant.’

5.  If you are a Dual National who possesses UK Nationality and wish to check your eligibility for the post, please contact our recruiting team at the details below. Please be advised that we will not be able to provide a justification for our decision for security reasons.

DNO External Recruitment

DNO-ExternalRecruiting@mod.gov.uk

Irish nationals and Commonwealth citizens are also eligible for employment in reserved posts if they were in the Civil Service at 31 May 1996 or before, or were appointed from a recruitment scheme with a closing date for receipt of applications before 1 June 1996. (Paragraph. 3.1) 

You will also be expected to achieve Developed Vetting clearance, above the normal clearance level expected for the MoD.  

No application can be accepted after the closing date.  

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.