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. 

Integration is key to everything that we seek to do – to ensure all programmes are fully aligned with Warhead Group priorities and strategic objectives.

You will be working in a Portfolio Management Office (PMO) with a remit across Warhead Group to lead all governance activities.

This post may be based in Aldermaston (Reading), MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol or MOD Main Building, Whitehall, London, depending on candidate preferences, which should be declared on application. However, some travel between sites and HM Naval Base Clyde (Scotland) will be required from time to time.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

This role provides the functional leadership, subject matter expertise and intelligent customer focal point for integration across the Warhead Group, working closely with AWE, our primary delivery partner. 

The successful candidate will use their experience in integration to lead and implement integration practices and processes, in line with established best practice, seeking innovative solutions and improving workstream maturity and integration.

Person specification

Responsibilities.

Ideally we seek someone with professional experience in Integration, Business Management and Improvement, Project Delivery or similar role.

Additionally, we would like someone with energy, resilience and commitment to our Programme and its mission.

You will use your experience in integration to lead and implement reporting practices and processes, in line with established best practice, seeking innovative solutions and improving workstream maturity and integration.

Specific responsibilities will include:

• Leading Integration coordination within DNO.
• The role is expected to have line management responsibility for a small team (TBC).

Qualifications

Ideally you will have professional qualifications and experience in;

• Integration,
• Business Management and Improvement,
• Project/Programme Delivery.

Desirable Qualifications

Any of:

• Portfolio, Programme and Project Offices (P3O®) 
• Management of Portfolio (MoP®)
• Managing Successful Programmes (MSP®)
• Management of Risk (MoR®), PRINCE 2™ or equivalent qualification.

Skills

• You should be a self-starter, with a strong ability to rapidly build and actively maintain a wide network of contacts many of whom will be senior leads in order to build strategic level insights to fully integrate workstreams across DNO’s portfolio of programmes.
• Confidence working with senior managers together with a good understanding and practical experience of setting the vision for and benefits of an integrated approach.
• A keen attention to detail, accuracy and quality to deliver high quality inputs, outputs and outcomes from all meetings.
• Be resilient and flexible. We work in an agile environment so you must be at ease with rapidly changing deadlines, workloads and goals.

Desirable Skills

• Relevant experience of leadership in an agile, complex integration or project and programme delivery environment, focused on delivering user needs

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £57,670, Ministry of Defence contributes £15,571 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.

Apply using the Civil Service Jobs apply button, filling in all required details in all sections. 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. 

In addition to your application you have 1250 words for a Personal Statement where you have the opportunity to show “Why do you want this role and what benefits would you bring”.

You will also be required to input details of your job history and experience for the CV section. As these two elements will be used to sift for the roles, ensure you answer them fully and showing relevance to the roles, skills and experience required. 

At interview you will be asked competency style Behaviour questions on the following: 

1. Leadership
2. Seeing the Big Picture.
3. Changing and Improving.
4. Communicating and Influencing.

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. 

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.

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) 

Candidates are advised that due to the sensitivity of the role we can only accept UK Nationals and you will also be expected to achieve Developed Vetting clearance, above the normal clearance level expected for the MOD.

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.