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, Sandown Class Mine Hunter Vessels 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.  

Safety Assurance headed by Captain Base Safety (CBS), provides self-regulation and assurance of compliance with all relevant legislative and regulatory requirements on behalf of the Naval Base Commander, the Authorisee.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

Within Safety Assurance (SA), the Nuclear Activity Assurance Manager (NAAM) provides the lead for the integration of nuclear safety assurance activities, whilst providing assurance that the extant Nuclear Site Safety Justification is supported by an approved and authorised suite of documentation of an appropriate standard and that it is being implemented such that Nuclear Safety is achieved and maintained. The NAAM post is the lead for the Nuclear Safety Assurance Inspection Programme which provides assurance to the Authorisee (Naval Base Commander Clyde) of the Naval Base's continued compliance against the requirements of the Authorisation Conditions as described in DSA02-DNSR.

The Nuclear Activity Assurance Manager (NAAM) is responsible for providing the requisite nuclear oversight that adequate control is being exercised, in the course of introducing new operations and activities to Clyde, such that all risks are identified and demonstrated to be As Low As Reasonably Practicable and that Nuclear Safety is achieved and maintained.  

NAAM is responsible, on behalf of the Clyde Authorisee, CBS and SA Asst Hd for:

Providing Assurance that all curent NP Activities undertaken at HMNB Clyde comply with regulatory and legislative requirements; in particular the NP Authorisation Conditions (ACs) detailed in DSA02-DNSR and the Nuclear Weapons Safety Principles and Safety Criteria. NAAM delivers this by interfacing with the established programme of combined Nuclear Propulsion, Nuclear Weapons and Warships in Harbour AC inspections, including system based, reactive and themed inspections.

Providing Nuclear Safety Assurance that the safety and design intent requirements detailed in the suite of safety cases, for NRP and NW activities/operations undertaken at HMNB Clyde are fulfilled and complied with.

To provide advice and guidance on all aspects of new activities and operations Nuclear Safety Management Issues within HMNB Clyde, primarily in his area of expertise and consistent with SA objectives. 

To manage the Nuclear Safety Assurance Officers x5, acting as their first reporting officer. 

To review and assess Hold Point Control Documentation for consistency with Base Standards/AC Management Document (ACMD) Part 1s and to agree or define internal and regulatory Hold Points where appropriate for new and current activities and operations. 

To provide advice and Assurance to NBC(C) on SSBN and SSN Berthing issues and Site Nuclear Infrastructure by liaising with Infrastructure staff and attending as a stakeholder at various review meetings. 

To maintain appropriate oversight of the new format ACMD Part 1 introduction and maintenance. 

To advise SA Asst Hd on the adequacy of regulatory submissions associated with the permissioning of new and current activities and operations. 

To Create, Resource & Implement the joint SA Intervention Plan, in conjunction with all SA domain leads, with the aim of providing assurance both internally and to the Regulators that AC Compliance is adequate for new activities and operations. Ensure the Base Audit programme is regularly updated. 

To monitor the results of internal/external audits on nuclear matters, to identify additional inspection requirements as necessary.

To support wider department by performing and providing Internal Assessing Staff function during HMNB Clyde Nuclear Emergency Exercises. 

When required, NAAM is an ex-officio member of committees, working groups, authorisation groups and any other wider Base governance meetings.

Person specification

The role requires an independent self-starter, with an understanding and experience of Nuclear Authorisation and Nuclear Regulatory interface. Experience on HMNB Clyde is highly desirable, but not essential.

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 Technical skills.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

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

Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability. 

Candidates will be sifted based on application, with successful candidates interviewed on both competences and Technical aspects.

At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles Behaviours/Technical Skills: 

• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing 

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing 

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.

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.