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. 

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 DNO, the Warhead Group leads the UK nuclear warhead programme which provides a stockpile of reliable, safe, and effective nuclear warheads to support the UK’s strategic nuclear deterrent now and in the future. The Nuclear Threat Reduction (NTR) is a key part of the Group, leading and helping deliver the UK’s national NTR objectives.

This post can be based in MOD Main Building in London or at AWE Aldermaston (within the MOD office) but the post holder will be expected to split their time across both locations and with occasional travel to the DNO office at Abbey Wood, Bristol. Travel to other sites in the UK should be expected. There will be a need for regular international travel, primarily to the US but European travel in support of collaborative programmes is a feature of this role. 

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.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

As the head of DNO’s Nuclear Threat Reduction (NTR) team, the successful candidate will lead a team responsible for helping deliver the UK’s national Nuclear Threat Reduction (NTR) objectives.

The post holder is expected to work with UK and international partner organisations to shape and deliver the DNO’s scientific and technological input to, amongst other things, deliver the UK Government’s nuclear counter-terrorism effort and meeting its international nuclear security obligations. 

Drawing on experience and nuclear expertise, the post holder will be expected to bring innovation to the successful delivery of the outcomes of a diverse portfolio of activity to generate the people, knowledge and capabilities required to meet MOD and UK nuclear security commitments.

This includes leading a variety of technical projects from Science and Technology through capability development to operational including on nuclear counter-terrorism and counter-proliferation, nuclear forensics, Arms Control and Verification Research, and support to UK commitments under the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) as well as specialist areas of technical nuclear security.

The post holder is expected to work across a broad range of stakeholders both within the Ministry of Defence (including Security Policy & Operations, UK StratCom, DSTL and Defence Intelligence), across Whitehall (including Cabinet Office, Home Office, Department of Energy Security and Net Zero and FCDO) and internationally (U.S., France, CTBTO and UK Mission Vienna). 

Success in this role will rely heavily on a close working relationship with the Atomic Weapons Establishment, a non-departmental public body, our principal partner in delivering the NTR portfolio. The postholder will deliver the role through the successful application of P3M leadership and technical nuclear expertise.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain the Nuclear Threat Reduction (NTR) requirements and capability plan. 
• Act as the NTR Programme Manager ensuring projects that make up the NTR portfolio are governed effectively ensuring delivery is on track across all stakeholders. 
• Build and maintain effective working relationships across Whitehall leveraging the NTR programme and skills to support the Cabinet Office nuclear security priorities. 
• Provide strong and visible leadership in the international community – bilaterally in working groups and joint programmes with both the US and France and other international partners where required. Provide relevant support to the UK’s Comprehensive Ban Treaty National Technical Authority and the UK Mission in Vienna. 
• Act as the NTR technical adviser and intelligent customer to DNO and build an effective network of technical experts across Defence and AWE.

Person specification

• Highly motivated self-starter and team player with leadership skills developed through a range of roles
• Ability to lead cross-cutting projects involving multiple stakeholders, demonstrating an ability to deliver through others
• Experience of working collaboratively with international partners
• Good communication skills and the ability to present sometimes complex technical information effectively to audiences who do not always have the same level of technical knowledge
• Portfolio, Programme and Project Management experience (although formal qualifications can be obtained whilst in post if not already held)
• A background in nuclear science and technology with experience of the UK defence nuclear programme
• Experience of at least some aspects of the NTR portfolio

Qualifications

• Project Leadership Programme (and/or applying within 6 months of appointment)

Applicants must demonstrate how they consider they meet the person specification above when completing the Personal Statement required as part of the application process. 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £67,820, Ministry of Defence contributes £18,311 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.

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* 

You have around 750 words for a Personal Statement where you have the opportunity to show why you want this role and what benefits you would bring. 

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

You will also need to demonstrate your technical nuclear competence as part of the application. Please provide a statement of up to 200 words demonstrating your knowledge of Nuc 2.2, Management of the Nuclear Weapon programme.

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.  

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

• Leadership
• Seeing The Bigger Picture
• Changing and Improving

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

[1]  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.