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 leads all aspects of 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); including 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, skills, 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. If this sounds like the organisation for you, then come and join us and be part of something that can make a positive impact on the world. 

These roles will act as enablers to deliver our programme outcomes through our delivery agents. These outcomes will be required in the right place, in the right condition, and at the right time to meet the needs of the programme. This work will contribute to ensuring the UK’s deterrent is effective and safe, now and in the future. The successful candidates will be expected to own specific outputs and support their respective line managers responsibilities.

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 The NSQEP RRA is not a contractual allowance and can be amended or withdrawn without notice in line with MOD Main and Submarine Delivery Agency policy.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

We have several roles available across the DNO Warhead Group, which will be integrated within either the Infrastructure or Materials team.  We are looking for candidates with a wide variety of engineering or programme skills who can bring their skills and enthusiasm to this environment.    

Supporting the project and programme sponsors, successful candidates will be responsible for developing relationships with wider stakeholders, supporting in the development of understanding of the benefits and capabilities being delivered by the infrastructure and materials projects or programme. 

Successful candidates will be expected to become a subject matter expert in their area to support the emerging and enduring infrastructure and materials requirements of our nuclear enterprise, requiring the application of detailed knowledge of the wider nuclear enterprise to make sound programme judgements.

Infrastructure and materials requirements will be managed by the post holder through the development of documentation, the development of options recommendations and through the development of Integrated Test, Evaluation and Acceptance Plans (ITEAP) across the Programme.

Act as an intelligent customer for aspects of the DNO material strategy and its Infrastructure Capability Plans (ICP). This includes assessing and accepting recommendations proposed. The role will also translate and define requirements for the procurement, reprocessing and disposal of nuclear material. The role will act as an integrator into wider programme planning and develop and implement a MOD strategic materials plan. 

The post holders will support across the infrastructure and materials teams as part of a wider cohort of SEO/C1s with similar skills and competencies to develop resilience in the infrastructure capital team. This includes representing the Defence Nuclear Programme in nuclear weapon programme fora on strategic material or infrastructure issues. Briefing senior managers from the MOD and government on these issues. 

These posts will require significant face to face collaboration given the classification of work, including time within operational facilities.

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 submitting their application.

If these roles sound like the opportunity, you have been waiting for to develop your engineering, project, or programme skills, and be involved in a fascinating and unique environment then we want to hear from you.

TORs are available subject to classification constraints and discussion with line managers.

Person specification

Key activities for these roles within each of the teams are as follows:

Engineering Professionals

Engineering professionals will be managing technical requirements and strategies, including:

• Determining and maintaining the strategy for strategic materials.
• Management of ANM recycling to ensure continuity of supply for future programmes.
• Management (procurement, disposal, loans, and transfers) of Accountable Nuclear Material (ANM) to achieve material availability for current programmes. 
• Material Disposal.

Programme Professionals

P3M professionals will be managing the delivery of projects, managing stakeholders, and hold responsibility for business cases and management of information, including:

• Providing SME advice to relevant Warhead Group projects and programmes.
• Sponsorship of infrastructure projects and programmes. 
• Assessing, planning, enabling, and initiating investments in infrastructure projects and programmes, benefits, and acceptance management.
• Provide infrastructure insight and expertise across the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.

Qualification & Skills

Candidates should hold one of the following:

• Qualification in project, programme, or engineering discipline.
• Experience of working in a Defence or Security sector.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Desirable Qualifications:

• HNC/HND in a scientific, engineering or project discipline. 
• Membership of a Professional Engineering Institution, with route to Incorporation or Chartership.
• Nuclear Weapon Foundation Course (NSQEP - Accredited Course).

Desirable Skills:

• Business Case Approvals experience at Cat D or above.
• Project Delivery.
• Infrastructure or Estate Management.
• Awareness level knowledge of the Nuclear Weapon Programme.
• Successful candidates who have not completed any of the desirable training courses listed above will be given the opportunity to complete this within their first year of joining the business.

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.

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 500 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 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:

• Delivering at Pace
• Seeing The Big Picture
• Leadership

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.