Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator - Inspector Reactor Build

The Defence Safety Authority (DSA) is responsible for the regulation of Defence Health, Safety and Environmental Protection, operating under a Charter from the Secretary of State (SofS) for Defence. The DSA provides independent assurance, directly to the SofS, that the law is complied with and the policy on safety in Defence is being promoted and implemented whilst Defence activities are conducted. This regulation is achieved through proportional and appropriate evidence-based assessment of the activity that supports Defence’s operational imperatives. The DSA hosts Defence safety regulators across all operating environments, the Defence Accident Investigation Branch (DAIB) and a HQ into a single independent organisation led by a 3* military officer.

The Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR) is responsible for regulating the nuclear hazards of the Defence Nuclear Programme (consisting of both the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Programme and the Nuclear Weapon Programme), where the Ministry of Defence has specific exemptions from statute: these are the through life safety of the Nuclear Reactor Plant and Nuclear Weapon activities on authorised sites. DNSR provides non-prescriptive, goal setting regulation utilising Authorisation Conditions akin to the civilian sectors Licence Conditions.

This role is advertised as 37 hours per week. Part-time working arrangements may be considered providing that business needs are met.

As a key member of the DNSR, you will support permissioning of the safe and secure build of the UK’s next-generation naval nuclear reactor plants. Working closely with the Principal Inspector, industry and MOD stakeholders, you will assess safety cases, manage regulatory issues, and ensure compliance with defence nuclear safety regulations. Your role will be critical in promoting a strong safety culture, delivering effective regulatory oversight to support safe and available submarines for UK defence. This is an exciting time to join regulation to contribute to ongoing government-backed reforms following the Nuclear Regulatory Task Force review, helping to streamline and improve how defence nuclear regulation is delivered and implemented.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Support the Principal Inspector in assessing the Dreadnought nuclear safety case campaign and managing regulatory issues, observations and queries.
• Provide expert regulatory advice and guidance to the BAESML and NRPA Authorisee throughout the build phases of naval nuclear reactor plants.
• Conduct interventions, including inspections, to ensure sustained compliance with nuclear safety regulations and support permissioning.
• Promote and monitor the Authorisee’s safety culture, including Leadership & Management for Safety and Security Informed Nuclear Safety (SINS) principles.
• Collaborate with Defence Safety Authority regulators and statutory bodies to deliver integrated and effective regulation.
• Coordinate contracted regulatory support.
• Represent DNSR at key regulatory meetings and forums.
• Raising enforcement actions if shortfalls are identified and manage regulatory noncompliance until resolved.
• Assess Nuclear Emergency Response exercises in conjunction with the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).
• Contribute to the continuous development and enforcement of Defence Safety Authority regulatory policy.
• Support DNSR emergency response activities during Defence Nuclear Emergencies and exercises.

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 provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.

Candidates will also be required to provide a Personal Statement of up to 750 words.

At sift, candidates will be assessed against their CV and Personal Statement.

In the event of a high number of applications, the sift will be based on the CV only.

At interview, candidates will be assessed against the following:

Behavours:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical Skills:

• Nuclear 1.1 - Nuclear Safety and Security Culture
• Nuclear 1.3 - Nuclear Safety Cases
• Nuclear 1.5 - Nuclear Safety and Nuclear Security Assurance and Regulation

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.