DNO WHG-Assistant Head Safety Quality Assurance

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.

Integrated Stockpile Management (ISM) is responsible for the development, delivery and support of both the current in-service Re-Entry System (RES), Future Technologies and the replacement RES. These programmes are owned by Director Warhead Integrated Stockpile Management who maintains the responsibility for delivery of these programmes, provides direction on prioritisation and ensures joint ways of working. The WISM has two parts, the ISM A21/Mk7 and the ISM Mk4A team which share the responsibility for the MOD intelligent customer role across the entire CADMID cycle for the RES (inc. applicable support equipment) and future RES technologies.

Deputy Head Safety & Quality Assurance supports Director WISM in their roles as the Authoriser with Design Authority Responsibilities for Nuclear Weapons, and Nuclear Weapons Transport by providing independent safety advice, management of the audit programme and maintenance of the Warhead Group Quality Management System.

This post is advertised at 37 hours per week.

The Assistant Head Safety & Quality Assurance (SQA) plays a key leadership role within the Warhead Group (WHG), providing independent assurance to senior leaders on the safety, quality and regulatory compliance of the UK's nuclear warhead programme and defence nuclear material transport operations. Working closely with the Deputy Head SQA, the post holder ensures that nuclear safety cases, operational activities, quality management systems and regulatory arrangements meet policy and regulatory requirements.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate independent technical assurance activities for nuclear warhead systems and defence nuclear material transport operations, ensuring compliance with regulatory, legislative and safety requirements.
• Provide advice and assurance to the Nuclear Warhead Approving Authority (NWAA), Life Cycle Phase 2 Authoriser and Managing Director Warhead on nuclear safety and quality matters.
• Manage and develop a multidisciplinary assurance team, including direct line management of senior assurance specialists and oversight of wider quality and regulatory assurance staff.
• Lead the assessment and review of nuclear safety cases, safety justifications and operational submissions, ensuring that risks are appropriately identified, managed and reduced to ALARP.
• Act as Deputy Chair of key nuclear safety committees, facilitating robust technical scrutiny and providing consolidated assurance and recommendations to senior duty holders.
• Maintain oversight of the Warhead Group Quality Management System, ensuring continued compliance with ISO 9001, Defence Nuclear Safety Regulations and MOD policy.
• Develop productive relationships with regulators, industry partners and stakeholders, supporting regulatory engagement and ensuring that emerging safety, quality and compliance issues are effectively managed.
• Champion a strong safety culture across the Warhead Group, promoting high standards of governance, assurance, quality management and continuous improvement.

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.

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.

Candidates are required to hold a Degree or equivalent in Engineering or a Applied Science discipline prior to making an application.

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 and also a Personal Statement of Suitability which should be a maximum of 1000 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
• Leadership

Technical Skills: Nuclear Safety Management Systems, Nuclear Safety Cases and Nuclear Safety Assurance and Regulation.

Information guide on the Nuclear Competence Framework is attached to this advert. Please provide evidence of your understanding, experience and skills under the requested Nuclear elements of the Framework.

At interview, you will be assessed against the following

Behaviours:

• Leadership
• Communicating & Influencing

Technical Skills: Nuclear Safety Management Systems, Nuclear Safety Cases and Nuclear Safety Assurance and Regulation.

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 Bristol

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.