Defence Nuclear Organisation - SyIntel Assurance Advisors

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 Assurance Team supports Chief Defence Nuclear (CDN) in ensuring the coherent management of security and the reporting of aggregated risks across the DNE by: delivering and cohering risk-based security assurance; providing challenge, independent of delivery, for Accountable Person (APs), Regulated Persons (RPs) and Senior Responsible Officers (SROs); and testing the secure delivery of effective nuclear security regimes and compliance to MOD’s (relevant) policies and regulations to provide security assurance that enables programmatic decision making.

The positions are advertised at 37 hours per week.

You will be responsible for driving security improvements across the DNE through providing Second Line Assurance as part of the 3 Lines of Defence (3LODS) model. You will be responsible for providing proportionate, targeted, and prioritised risk-based security assurance activities across a nuclear security regime built to protect Defence Nuclear Assets (DNA), Defence Nuclear Information (DNI) and Accountable Nuclear Material (ANM) across the sites, operations, programmes and projects that make up the DNE.

You will conduct site based NMA&C (Nuclear Material Accounting & Control) assurance activities across at sites holding Defence ANM, through assessment and testing of NMAC, undertaking Physical Inventory Verification of ANM and to assess the effectiveness of site accountancy and control and compliance, engaging closely with the Defence Nuclear Security Regulator (DefNucSyR) and others

You will be responsible for maintaining and promoting security assurance as a key organisational priority. This includes identifying and managing the interfaces between safety, security, emergency preparedness, and other programme and project requirements to support the strategic priorities of the DNE.

The role will require flexibility, as security assurance activities will involve working unsociable hours, travelling across the UK, and occasionally travelling to foreign countries.

Hybrid and flexible working can be considered for these posts but will require regular workplace attendance due to security constraints and access to appropriate IT operating systems.

Candidates are encouraged to discuss options with the recruiting line manager before submitting their 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.

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 documents.

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*

When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.

Candidates will be required to provide a CV and a Personal Statement of Suitability (maximum 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 the essential and desirable criteria set out in the Person Specification based on your CV and Statement of Suitability and the following Behaviour:

• Working Together

At Interview:

You will be assessed on your Experience and following behaviours;

• Working Together
• Changing and Improving
• Leadership

The interviews will be conducted via MS Teams.

Candidates who are found to meet an acceptable standard at interview but are not successful in this advertised post may be considered for similar roles within the Business Unit.

You will also be expected to achieve Developed Vetting clearance, above the normal clearance level expected for the MoD.

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.