Defence Nuclear Organisation - Nuclear Fuels Programme – Radioactive Material Packaging Project Manager

The Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO) is responsible for the provision of the nuclear deterrent, encompassing our submarines and nuclear warheads, while also advising on UK nuclear planning and fostering international co-operation on nuclear matters. With a multidisciplinary team of over 700 professionals, the DNO brings together expertise in science, engineering, finance, policy, programme delivery, and more. We work in partnership with the Royal Navy, the Submarine Delivery Agency and the Atomic Weapons Establishment as the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE).

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 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 Fuels Programme (NFP) sits within the newly established 3* area within the DNO. The programme’s purpose is to re-establish a nuclear fuel cycle for reactor fuel for defence purposes, underpinning the UK’s nuclear deterrent. The programme operates as a blended team of MOD civil servants, UKGI, and external specialists, working across multiple locations and in partnership with industry, regulators and international stakeholders. This role sits within a high-profile, sensitive and strategically important programme, delivered within a complex and highly regulated environment.

The NFP Radioactive Material Packaging Project Manager will lead the planning, acquisition and through-life management of specialist transport packaging required to support the safe and compliant movement of materials. The role will bring together project delivery, logistics and regulatory considerations, translating complex technical requirements into practical delivery plans.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a specialist and strategically important area of delivery, influence emerging plans and help establish an enduring capability within a growing programme.

This post is advertised at 37 hours per week.

As the Radioactive Material Packaging Project Manager, you will lead the development and delivery of the programme’s approach to specialist transport packaging for a range of uranium products across the nuclear fuel cycle. You will act as the programme’s focal point for packaging requirements, bringing together technical, regulatory, commercial and delivery considerations to ensure that suitable solutions are available when needed.

You will work with internal and external specialists to evaluate packaging options, plan future demand and manage the acquisition, certification, testing and through-life management of packaging. You will also provide clear reporting and advice to senior leaders, supporting informed decisions and effective management of delivery risks, issues and dependencies.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing the through-life stewardship of transport packaging, including maintenance, reuse, inventory management, refurbishment, disposal and end-of-life disposition.
• Developing and maintaining the programme’s transport packaging strategy, covering both on-site and off-site movements.
• Defining, managing and maintaining packaging requirements across the programme lifecycle.
• Assessing material characteristics and operational requirements to identify suitable, compliant packaging solutions.
• Developing the packaging demand forecast, including package quantities, availability and inventory management.
• Leading the acquisition and delivery of specialist transport packaging, working with commercial colleagues, suppliers and technical specialists.
• Managing packaging certification, testing and regulatory approval arrangements.
• Integrating packaging activity with wider programme schedules, delivery plans and dependencies.
• Identifying and managing packaging-related risks, issues, assumptions and dependencies.
• Engaging with regulators, assurance bodies, international authorities and logistics providers to support approvals and delivery.
• Auditing and assuring supplier capability against relevant regulatory and programme requirements.
• Producing and coordinating transport plans, regulatory submissions, risk assessments and logistics procedures.
• Providing timely reporting, analysis, advice and decision support to senior programme leadership.
• Advising programme teams and stakeholders on packaging requirements, regulatory responsibilities and through-life management considerations.
• Maintaining awareness of relevant legislation, policy and regulation and assessing how changes may affect programme delivery.

NFP is a growing area operating within a dynamic and evolving environment. As the organisation develops, new priorities and responsibilities may emerge, and the post holder may be required to work flexibly across the area to support successful programme delivery.

Due to the pace of delivery and requirement for regular workplace attendance this role is not suitable for part-time or job share candidates.

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 an application.

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.

As the post holder will have access to very sensitive information, there are limitations on travelling to a small number of countries and we will undertake additional security checks as part of the recruitment process. Applications from candidates with close connections to certain countries may take considerably longer to process, or in some cases result in a withdrawal of an offer of employment. Further details will be provided at the conditional offer stage.

A recognised project management qualification, such as PRINCE2, APM or equivalent

Open to UK nationals only.

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 complete an online CV template to include job history, qualification details, previous skills and experience. Please also include any relevant responsibilities and achievements.

Candidates will be required to provide a Personal Statement which should be a maximum of (500 words) that sets out your motivation for applying and shows how your skills and experience meet the essential/desirable requirements for the role.

At Sift:

You will be assessed against your CV and Personal Statement.

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:

Behaviours:

• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service

Technical Skills:

Nuclear Competence Framework- Nuc 2.3 Management of the Nuclear Transportation programme together with your experience.

You will also be required to deliver a short technical presentation, which will be assessed against the relevant technical skills. Full details will be provided to candidates invited to interview.

Interviews will be conducted face to face at MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol.

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 Defence Nuclear Organisation plays a vital role in supporting the delivery of the UK’s independent strategic nuclear deterrent. To help enhance security, staff working for the DNO are encouraged to always exercise a high level of discretion in sharing information or talking about their work. As part of the application process, we ask that you do not tell anyone other than your partner or close family member about your application to join the DNO. You should not mention your application on social media or discuss it with anyone else at this stage.

Further information:

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.

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. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. It 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.

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.