About the job

Job summary

His Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde (HMNB Clyde) is home to the United Kingdom’s Strategic Nuclear Deterrent, Astute Class Attack Submarines, Mine Hunting Capability and 43 Cdo Royal Marines. It is an operational support and maintenance base, within the Navy Command TLB and comprises both Faslane and Coulport sites. HMNB Clyde’s primary purpose is to provide engineering and logistical support to the Royal Navy in maintaining Continuous at Sea Deterrent (CASD). This is achieved by ensuring at least one Vanguard Class submarine is on patrol at sea every day of the year.        

RNAD Coulport is responsible for the storage, processing, maintenance and issue of the Trident Weapon System and the ammunitioning of all submarine-embarked tactical weapons.

The purpose of the Authorisation Group Chair (AG Ch) is, on behalf of the HMNB (HM Naval Base) Clyde Faslane Site Operator (Superintendent Faslane Site (SFS)) and the appropriate Assistant Head Capability, to be responsible to the Authorisee for the safe introduction of new systems, structures and components such as the effect on ‘Day to Day’ control of NP, NW and WiH Authorised Activities and that the Risk from the Activities is managed such that it is reduced ‘ As Low as Reasonably Practicable’ (ALARP). The AG Chair discharges this responsibility by ensuring:

Nuclear

1. Suitable and sufficient Operating Instructions (AC 24) are in place for all Authorised Activites and that they are Authorised for use prior to commencement of the Activity e.g. AG Procedures, AG Instructions and HP Logics. (NUC 6.1 and 1.2).
2.  Appropriate oversight and supervision are imparted on activities important to the delivery and implementation of such that Nuclear and Explosive Safety (AC26) is not compromised. (NUC 6.1, 1.1 and 1.2,).

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week

Job description

On Behalf of the HMNB Clyde Faslane Site Operator (SFS) and appropriate Assistant Head Capability the AG Chair is responsible for ensuring the Authorisee of the safe introduction of new systems, structures and components such as the effect on ‘Day to Day’ control of NP, NW, and WiH Authorised Activities and that the Risk from the Activities is manged such that it is reduced ‘As Low as Reasonably Practicable’ (ALARP). The AG Chair discharges this responsibility by ensuring:  

A. Suitable and sufficient Operating Instructions (AC 24) are in place for all Authorised Activites and that they are Authorised for use prior to commencement of the Activity e.g., AG Procedures, AG Instructions and HP Logics. (NUC 6.1 and 1.2) Ensuring:

1. That the Production, Maintenance and Development of the OIs is consistent with Authorisee’s Policies and Standards and Relevant Good Practice (RGP) in the wider Nuclear Enterprise (ONR/DNSR Technical Assessment Guides (TAGs), Technical Inspection Guides (TIGs), Safety Assessment Principles (SAPs) and NRPA Level 4 Methodologies etc.
2. That the OIs fully address the Safety Case and Design Intent Requirements with identification/highlight of those aspects critical to maintaining the CSFs i.e., AC23 Operating Rules/Operating Constraints and AC27 Engineered/Administrative Safeguards.
3. The OIs are consistent with industry good practice and legislative requirements e.g., LOLER, PUWER, RIDDOR, COSHH, Confined Space Regulations etc.
4. The OIs are cognitive to the end user (operator) this being achieved by demonstration and understanding and where appropriate formal training.
5. The OIs are appropriately verified and validated by appropriate SME and Operators this including where appropriate ‘slow run through’ of the scoped activity.
6. The OIs are formally reviewed at the Nuclear Services Authorisation Group (NSAG) and authorised for use.
7. The OIs are periodically reviewed to ensure they remain consistent with the Safety Case and Design Intent Requirements and RGP with appropriate capture of LFE.

B Appropriate oversight and supervision are imparted on activities important to the delivery and maintenance of Nuclear and Explosive Safety (AC26). (NUC 6.1, 1.1 and 1.2) Ensuring:

1. That all activities are appropriately permissioned prior to commencement with appropriate SMAs, and control is in place e.g., Hold Point Control, Nuclear Safety Clearance (NSCF, C12), Activity Logics etc.

2. That High Hazard Activities (i.e., those that can directly lead to a loss of CSFs) e.g., Fault recovery on Class 1 and Class 2; ensure direct control is imparted with a duly authorised co-ordinator appointed in accordance with AC26.

     3. Directly impart oversight, supervision, and control on the following activities:

            C* Embarkation (High Hazard)

            Fault Recovery on Class 1 and Class 2 SSC (High Hazard)

            As relief PAG Chair Docking of LUSMs at Rosyth

            As relief Chair for Shiplift Docking of NPW including dockings with NW and  TWS                      embarked (High Hazard)

      4.  The formal appointment of Nuclear Procedure Co-ordinators (NPCs) and appropriate               oversight of their maintenance of qualification.

C. That Nuclear / Explosive safety is maintained when Site Activities not scoped by the safety case & design intent arise.

D. That all commissioning activities demonstrates compliance with the safety case and design intent requirements as detailed in the Safety Commissioning Schedule and the programme logic (AC 21) (NUC 1.1 and 1.2).

Person specification

The AG Ch will be able to demonstrate previous experience in operational delivery in a nuclear safety driven environment. This should include operational experience of management of nuclear facilities in support of Pressurised Water Reactors.

The AG Ch must have strong organisational skills with the ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision and a proven history of delivering high quality outcomes to time and cost.

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.

This vacancy is managed using Success Profiles and Nuclear Competences and will assess your behaviours and skills against the selected profiles and competences.

Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include: job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.  

During the Application and Interview you will be assessed on the following Success Profiles and Nuclear Competences:

Leadership

Seeing the Bigger Picture

Changing and Improving

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

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

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.