DNO-WHG Materials OSM 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 Warhead Group (WHG) sits within DNO. As the nuclear weapon authorisee it delivers and integrates warheads across lifecycle phases and facilitates the provision of Nuclear Threat Reduction services to Government. The DNO Warhead Group:

• Sets the direction, strategy and requirement for the integrated stockpile that includes the current and future warhead portfolio.
• Enables capabilities such as transport, test and evaluation.
• Interacts with partners domestically and internationally on the supply of components and the delivery of Special Nuclear Materials and associated capabilities.
• Balances the competing needs and risks of all underlying programmes to ensure sustainment of the stockpile.

Delivery Enablers (DE) sits within WHG. The purpose of the DE team is to enable delivery of resilient enterprise capabilities in support of the Integrated Stockpile (A21 and Mk4a programmes) and Nuclear Threat Reduction.

The DE function aligns with the MOD-wide Capability Management Framework (CMF), working across the functions of Develop (strategic planning, 30-year horizon), Deliver (delivering BAU and realising the changes of planned investment), and Assure Coherence.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

This job role is not suitable for part-time working.

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 role of Other Special Material (OSM) Manager resides within the Assembly Coulport and Advanced Materials (ACAM) Deputy Directorate within the Delivery Enablers team and is responsible for ensuring sufficient material is available at the right place, in the right condition at the right time to meet the needs of UK warhead production now and in the future.

The post holder is responsible for supporting the Advanced Materials OSM Assistant Head (OSM AH) in the management of the supply chain, the procurement, storage, accounting and disposal of Strategic Materials within their portfolio through:

• Support to the OSM AH role in their sponsorship of the Advanced Materials (non-fissile) Value Stream and Services, focussing on acting as a deputy where appropriate, by: acting as a deputy to ensure coherent governance;
• authoring requirements documents and managing the existing requirements using the appropriate tools;
• maintaining the strategic risk register for Advanced Materials;
• monitoring project and programme progress;
• develop a network with other teams in the DNO and,
• authoring acceptance, evaluation and benefits realisation plans.
• Provision of confidence in delivery of the Advanced Materials Value Stream and Services by: enabling and attending to the needs of the programmes of record (post-approval);
• identifying and preparing for the needs of the programmes of intent (pre-approval);
• working with delivery leads to propose mitigation actions and initiate these through the WHG governance framework; and
• informing the OSM AH on delivery performance as well as options and opportunities to intervene around substantive balance of risk decisions for escalation as required.
• Facilitation and provision of evidence-based artefacts to the Warhead Approvals Panel and similar approvals panels/boards.
• Attendance at the Advanced Materials Capability Planning Groups (CPG) and support the OSM AH by authoring and maintaining system requirements in the appropriate requirements software tool.
• Representing and deputising for DNO where required, including oversight and reporting, interface with the regulators, and the writing of business cases.

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.

Minimum of HNC/HND in a STEM discipline.

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.

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 250 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 (max 250 words) and the following behaviours:

• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing

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

• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing

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.

Further information:

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.