Defence Nuclear Organisation – Strategy Adviser

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 Group 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 SCS-led Strategy and Engagement Unit (SEU) is responsible for ensuring that the work of the DNE is coherent, that its priorities are tracked and delivered and that its strategic decisions are based on high quality information. The successful candidate will work across a wide and interesting portfolio and will make a genuine contribution to supporting the UK’s number one defence priority: maintaining our Continuous at Sea Deterrent.

This post is advertised at 37 hours per week.

As part of the Strategy Team, the successful candidate will look at key issues across the DNO and consider how to solve these. This role will involve working on strategic strands and long-term strategy as well as key engagement activities, particularly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), but also other government departments on civil-defence nuclear collaboration.

In the changing strategic context, the UK’s defence and civil nuclear sectors are of increasing importance for our security, our energy security and our prosperity. We are working closely with DESNZ to align work where relevant, ensuring a consistent approach to our relationship with industry and academic partners. The role will have the following responsibilities:

• Develop and own relationships with key collaborating teams in the DNE and civil nuclear enterprise, working closely with DESNZ to understand commonalities and align enterprise objectives.
• Coordinate wider DNE engagement with civil nuclear and DESNZ, cohering messaging to ensure a consistent approach to the relationship across the enterprise.
• Develop understanding of capabilities across the civil and defence nuclear sectors and work closely with DESNZ and technical experts to encourage alignment of shared goals.
• Support the delivery of cross-department senior Government board

The successful candidate will work closely with other central DNO teams to support and deliver on department wide strategic issues. This role will involve significant interaction with senior leaders and is an excellent opportunity for those seeking to develop their leadership skillset and grow strategy/policy experience. The successful candidate will also, from time to time, support the wider SEU activities, including facilitating the delivery of governance.

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.

Due to security constraints, this post is exempt from hybrid working requests. Requests for flexible and condensed working patterns can be considered but may be limited. Candidates should consider this and must discuss with recruiting line manager before submitting an application.

Open to UK nationals only.

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

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

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/qualification details/previous skills and experience. Please also include any relevant responsibilities and achievements.

Candidates will be required to provide a Personal Statement of Suitability which should be a maximum of 750 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, Personal Statement and the following Behaviours:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working together

Please note: if a large number of applications are received then the sift will be on Communicating and Influencing plus CV and Personal Statement only.

At interview, you will be assessed against your Experience and the Behaviours:

• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Seeing the Big Picture.

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.

Interviews will be conducted Face to Face in Main Building London

Further information:

This post requires Developed Vetting (DV), successful candidates must have a willingness to undergo DV.

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.

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.