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 the Warhead Directorate, this post sits within the Stockpile Management division of DNO Warhead Delivery Team.  Deputy Director Warhead Stockpile Management (WSM) has responsibility for maintaining safe, effective (performing) and available in-service nuclear warheads now and in the future.

Deputy Director is the delegated Approval Authority for all UK nuclear weapon warheads and is responsible for delivering to Customers those outputs specific to the nuclear weapons stockpile, the introduction of the Mk4A TRES and Nuclear Warhead stockpile stewardship in support of the UK Strategic Deterrent and maintenance of Operation Relentless (Continuous At Sea Deterrent (CASD)).

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

The successful applicant will be part of the WSM directorate, leading the Programme Office, defining and maintaining the standards for project management within Stockpile Management. This includes the implementation and sharing of best practice as well as the development of project procedures and tools, providing expert guidance and insight on projects.

This role includes, but is not limited to:

Stockpile Programme Formulation

• Support and inform the delivery of the Stockpile Management programme of work ensuring that the enterprise has access to the right programmatic assumptions and dependencies in relation to stockpile strategy, capability requirements and overarching nuclear weapon policy and access to submarine programme policy.
• Monitor the planning of the Stockpile by proactively monitoring and report on its overall progress through the nuclear weapon Governance framework.
• Management of the Stockpile Integrated Master Schedule.
• Management of Stockpile programme dependencies.

Strategic Risk & Change Management

• Own the management of risks and issues relating to the Stockpile programme, including those that are strategic and politically sensitive, ensuring regular reporting and escalation as appropriate.
• Set up and manage Change Control of the Stockpile Management plan.

Through-life Programme Management and Integration

• Act as the focal point for the development of programme strategies, polices and plans for the delivery of Stockpile Managements Mission.
• Ensure that strategic enablers to deliver the Stockpile Programme are understood and that programmatic considerations are reflected in the delivery plans for strategic materials, hardware and components and supporting infrastructure.
• Manage programme artefacts including the Integrated Master Schedule, Project, and Risk Management processes.
• Deputise for Stockpile Programme Manager.

 WSM Programme Office Management

• Lead the Programme team to support the project in the delivery of Business Case benefits and outcomes. Champion the use of best practice project management standards and processes.
• Manage the Programme Office team and support WSM’s Project Managers in the identification, recruitment, development, deployment, and reassignment of resources throughout the project lifecycle.
• Advise the project team on appropriate tools and techniques for managing stakeholder relationships. Provide assurance to the project manager on the effectiveness of stakeholder management arrangements.
• Own the project processes and standards for managing risks and issues. Provide assurance to the project manager on the effectiveness of Risk and Issue management arrangements.
• Ensure appropriate governance is in place and arrange external reviews e.g., Gateway Reviews at appropriate points in the project lifecycle. Monitor the effectiveness of controls and ensure that recommendations from external reviews are acted upon
• Own and oversee project controls on behalf of the project manager, reporting on project progress and status to appropriate bodies. Identify common capabilities and opportunities for linking up, re-using, and sharing of methods and resources between projects and programmes. Ensure learning from experience is disseminated across the organisation.
• Identify, develop, and share best practice project management processes, tools and templates and benchmarks against industry standard. Provide direction and guidance to the project team and programme office.

This post is on the MOD Civilian Nuclear Post Control List (PCL) and may attract the Nuclear Recruitment and Retention Allowance (RRA). This is a discretionary allowance. The post being listed on the PCL does not mean that the post holder will have an automatic entitlement to receive the RRA. The NSQEP RRA is not a contractual allowance and can be amended or withdrawn without notice in line with MOD Main and Submarine Delivery Agency policy.

Hybrid and flexible working can be considered for this post but will need regular workplace attendance due to security constraints. Candidates are encouraged to discuss options with the recruiting line manager before applying.

Person specification

Qualifications:

• APM PMQ,
• MSP Practitioner,
• PRINCE Practitioner or equivalent.

Memberships:

• Association of Project Management or equivalent

Desirable qualifications: 

• Nuclear Weapons Foundation Course
• Nuclear Weapon Z6 Course

Desirable Skills:

• Awareness of Engineering.
• Awareness Level knowledge of the DNO Programme Management Systems
• Working level understanding of the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement, Polaris Sales
• Agreement (PSA) and PSA Technical Arrangements.
• Working Level knowledge of Management of the Nuclear Weapon Programme.
• Awareness Level knowledge of MOD Commercial Policy, Procedures and Process

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £57,670, Ministry of Defence contributes £15,570 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.

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. 

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 1250 words for a Personal Statement, where you have the opportunity to show how you meet the requirements of the role. 

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

• making effective decisions
• leadership
• working together

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.  

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

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.

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.