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.

The Nuclear Skills Taskforce was launched in August 2023 to ensure that the UK has a skilled pipeline of workers to support its civil and defence nuclear programmes. In May, the industry led National Nuclear Strategic Plan for Skills (NNSPS) was published, setting out targeted action that the UK nuclear industry will take to ensure it has the required nuclear skills to support the UK’s nuclear security and energy resilience.

The NNSPS will be delivered by the industry led Nuclear Skills Delivery Group (NSDG), supported by secondments from across the civil and defence sector.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week

 

 

 

Job description

A Government led Nuclear Sector Skills Team (NSST) has been established to ensure that the appropriate delivery mechanisms are in place to deliver the objectives of the NNSPS, and that continuity of funding is secured.

The Interchange Project Lead post will report in the NSST and work closely with industry colleagues in the NSDG to Lead and develop a range of interchange initiatives between nuclear sector entities, under the banner of the Nuclear Hub, a newly established, HMG-backed, cross-sector interchange framework.

This secondment opportunity is available to Civil Servants and other civilian staff, or similar of UK nuclear organisations, or in nuclear-related roles, including those from relevant public sector, private sector, academia and third sector organisations. Applicants must be suitably qualified to carry out the role, and must secure approval from their line manager before applying.

Key Tasks:

• Lead and develop a range of interchange initiatives between nuclear sector entities, under the banner of the Nuclear Hub, a newly-established, HMG-backed, cross-sector interchange framework.
• Maximise opportunities for the workforce, ensure knowledge transfer within the sector, and improve cooperation among participating organisations.
• The successful post-holder will achieve the above through applying well-developed collaboration, influencing, leadership and planning skills to:

1. 1. Work closely with Nuclear Sector Skills Team, Nuclear Skills Delivery Group, MOD  DESNZ and cross Government colleagues, building deeper collaboration to deliver against shared goals and align with strategy, with the overall aim to inspire and retain the workforce.
   2. Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders across the nuclear sector and beyond, including civil nuclear, defence industry, wider HMG, public sector and private sector organisations, and academia, many of whom will participate in Nuclear Hub.  
   3. Lead and drive cross-sector collaboration, cross-Hub collaboration and collaboration with other Hubs, specifically regarding interchange and related workforce mobility opportunities.
   4. Convene and participate in conferences, events and working groups as required with relevant stakeholders to ensure interchange is effective and opportunities are maximised.
   5. Lead on the continual development of interchange initiatives.
   6. Contribute to strategy and policy discussions and documents, and ensure alignment with stakeholder requirements.
   7. Ensure effective policies and processes are in place for fair and functional identification and matching of interchange participants and opportunities.
   8. Oversee Hub compliance (including but not limited to legal, commercial, finance, communications, security, data protection, Trades Unions, HR) from a central viewpoint.
   9. Ensure effective external and internal communications, marketing, performance evaluation, risk management and continuous improvement.
   10. Report regularly to the Nuclear Skills Delivery Group, Nuclear Skills Strategy Team, Government Office for Science, and key stakeholder leads.
   11. Establish links with ‘interchange liaison officers’ in each nuclear sector organisation.

• Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). The team support hybrid working with a mixture of home /office-based working to be agreed with line manager and based upon business requirements

Person specification

• Ability to bring together stakeholders at all levels, with well-developed interpersonal skills.
• Ability to see the bigger picture, align with strategy, and influence policy and process.
• Ability to apply programme management techniques to ensure smooth delivery.

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 and Experience.

You should apply via the application form attached to this advert providing details of your career history, key achievements and skills that are relevant to this position to demonstrate your suitability for this role together with a supporting statement (Max 500 words) as to how you meet the criteria as listed in the advert. Please also include location preference e.g. MOD Main Building, MOD Abbey Wood Bristol, AWE Aldermaston Reading, HM Naval Base Clyde

Applications or questions regarding this EOI should be sent to DNO-DNE-Talent@mod.gov.uk

The deadline to submit applications is 23.55 hrs on Monday 22nd July 2024.

This post is classed as ‘Reserved’ as per the Civil Service Nationality Rules. For further information please see the attached documents.

Sift:

Assessment at sift will be based on your application and supporting statement only. 

At Interview:

We'll assess you against these behaviours: Working Together and Communicating and Influencing as well as Experience. 

Interviews will be conducted over MS Teams.

A link to the nuclear sector’s recently-launched website Destination Nuclear is available below under further information.

Pensions and injury benefits
If you apply and are successful, you should check the appropriate pension guidance with your HR team or line manager prior to final agreement of the secondment. All such arrangements must be agreed by all parties and documented in the secondment agreement, explaining who provides the benefit and what it is comprised of.

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 security check (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.