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 truly 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. 

These roles will sponsor and enable the delivery of infrastructure and strategic materials outcomes through our delivery agents and/or industry. These outcomes will be required in the right place, in the right condition, at the right time to meet the needs of UK warhead programme to ensure the UK’s deterrent is effective and safe, now and in the future. These Deputy Head roles will be expected to own their specified outputs and be accountable for the outputs of their teams.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. 

Job description

The Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE) delivers some of the UK’s most complex materials, projects, and programmes. Many of the capabilities required have not been delivered for generations and consequently there is a need to deliver modern fit for purpose infrastructure capabilities to support the target production system.

The enterprise requires numerous novel materials that are in limited supply and carry a high regulatory constraint. There is a need to manage and control our existing stockpile and develop new procurement, manufacturing, and machining capability, which ties into the infrastructure above.

The Nuclear Fuels Programme (NFP) will deliver the materials, projects and outcomes require to ensure future delivery across the enterprise.

There are two Deputy Head roles currently available, with two more emerging shortly across the Infrastructure and Materials (I&M) team focused across different projects/elements of the portfolio. 

Post holders will be expected to be a Subject Matter Experts (SME) in their area of responsibility and sponsor the delivery of capability. They will manage the delivery of projects and outputs across a multidisciplinary team. From requirement capture, options analysis, approvals, sponsorship of delivery, materials, logistics and ultimately, acceptance into operations for the realisation of capability benefits.

They will be responsible for sponsoring, developing, and managing relationships with DNE, government and industry stakeholders. They will support the development of understanding of the benefits and capabilities being delivered by the infrastructure and materials projects or programme.  

Acting as an intelligent customer you will be key to the development of strategies and its Capability Plans. Materials roles will also translate and define requirements for the procurement, reprocessing and disposal of nuclear material. They will act as an integrator into wider programme planning and develop and implement a MOD strategic materials plan. 

The posts will support across the infrastructure and materials team to form a wider cohort of Deputy Heads with similar skills and competencies in order to develop resilience in the I&M team. This includes representing the Defence Nuclear Programme in nuclear weapon programme fora on strategic material or infrastructure issues and briefing seniors across MOD and wider government. 

These posts are advertised at 36/37 hours per week (Tacos Dependant). DNO fully supports flexible/hybrid working where possible. However, the classification of some of the work demands regular office attendance. Flexibility will be required by postholders to meet the demands of the programme and they should expect to attend the office 2/3 times a week to access classified systems and engage face to face. Equally, there will be regular travel to other sites.

Terms of Reference (TOR’s) for individual roles are available subject to classification constraints and discussion with line managers.

Person specification

Infrastructure

• Sponsorship of infrastructure projects and programmes. 
• Assessing, planning, enabling, and initiating investments, projects and programmes. 
• Requirements, benefits, and acceptance management.
• Provide infrastructure insight and expertise across the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.
• Project controls leadership.
• Programme management.

Materials

• Determine and maintain the strategy for strategic materials.
• Provide SME advice to relevant Warhead Group projects and programmes.
• Management (procurement, disposal, loans, and transfers) of Accountable Nuclear Material (ANM) to achieve material availability for current programmes. 
• Management of ANM recycling to ensure continuity of supply for future programmes.
• Material Disposal.

 

Qualifications

• Qualification or Membership of a professional science, engineering or project or programme institution, with route to Fellowship or Chartership.
• Memberships: Projects, Science and Engineering disciplines. (APM, IMechE and similar).

 Skills

• At least 5 years’ experience of working in regulated sectors, projects or programmes with knowledge life cycle phases or related experience.
• P3M, science, engineering, infrastructure, construction, analytical skills, business cases and approvals, nuclear knowledge/skills.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Degree in a scientific, engineering or defence discipline. 
• Membership of a Professional Engineering Institution, with route to Incorporation or Chartership.
• A recognised Project Management Certification (e.g., APM, PRINCE2 or equivalent)
• Nuclear Weapon Foundation Course (NSQEP - Accredited Course) 
• Nuclear Submarine Quality Assurance Course (NSQEP - Accredited Course) 
• Nuclear Fuel Cycle Course 
• Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Science
• Audit and Evaluation Skills Course 
• System Engineering (Awareness) Course

Desirable Skills:

• Business Case Approvals experience.
• Infrastructure Project Delivery.
• Infrastructure or Estate Management.

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 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.  

*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, full details of education and qualifications and previous experiences and skills. Please also include any relevant responsibilities and achievements.

You have 1000 words for a Personal Statement, where you have the opportunity to show how you meet the requirements of the role.  

Candidates who are found to meet an acceptable standard at interview but are not successful in being offered one of the advertised posts, may be held on a reserve list to be offered one of the emerging roles within the team at a later date, or 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 candidates will be assessed against the following:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing 
• Seeing the Big picture

Candidates selected for interview will also be asked to cover a short 10-minute presentation on how you have worked with another party (delivery agent, industry, or another) to realise a better outcome.  We are particularly interested in how you managed relationships, influenced stakeholders and balanced conflicting priorities.

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)

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.

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.  

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

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.