DNO -WHG Teutates Desk Officer

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 Test, Trials and Evaluation (TT&E) programme exists to deliver requisite TT&E capabilities at the right place and right time to ensure that in-service and replacement warhead programmes can be manufactured, certified and transported to the required standards and timescales.

The Warhead Group TT&E Team is part of the Delivery Enablers Directorate and is the sponsor organisation for the TT&E portfolio of capabilities needed for warhead activities. The team owns the portfolio requirements and undertakes capability planning activities to build a balanced portfolio that meets warhead programme objectives, outcomes, and benefits. The team sponsors the development and procurement of TT&E capabilities and oversees their management through life, ensuring the portfolio remains within approved business case, budget, and scope.

One of the largest programmes within the TT&E portfolio is the Teutates Programme, which is responsible for the establishment under a UK-France Treaty of the joint EPURE Hydrodynamics Facility near Dijon in France, as well as facilities at AWE Aldermaston. The programme also covers procurement of specialist containment vessels, radioactive and hazardous waste treatment capabilities and facilities involving both MoD and AWE teams in UK and France.

The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting the Teutates Assistant Head in working across both DNO and AWE (DNO as the sponsor, AWE as the deliverer) to enable effective planning and coordination of the programme. The programme has high complexity because of its international dimension and the breadth of dependencies across the DNO, which this role will need to understand and manage.

Requirements

• Support the Teutates programme and be a champion for Teutates and TT&E within the Warhead Group
• Understand the wider operating context and communicate with clarity the vision for the critical hydrodynamics facilities delivered by Teutates.
• Ensure that programme outcomes and benefits are understood and realised
• Support the development of capability strategy and associated plans and later phases of Teutates
• Be responsible for project management of small/medium sized scoping studies and discrete tasks on an ad-hoc basis

Leadership

• Provide day to day DNO sponsor leadership on behalf of the Teutates Programme, which is delivered by AWE across UK and France.
• Sponsor and enable AWE delivery partner to success through timely and effective opportunity and risk balanced decision making.
• Lead purposefully, ensuring outcomes and benefits are understood and communicated

Governance

• Support the Gov-to-Gov relationship with France on the Teutates Programme, ensuring that Treaty management and effective international governance is delivered.
• Support the delivery of effective programme governance at every level.
• Provide Secretariat Function at Programme Board and key meetings.
• Support the planning and delivery of Business Cases and review note/information note development by delivery partners on behalf of SRO and engage with stakeholders across the scrutiny, approvals and assurance bodies.
• Assist in effective Change Management processes are between DNO and AWE to agree and document changes to deliverables as agreed with stakeholders
• Assist in delivering Government Major Programme Portfolio (GMPP) reporting requirements on behalf of SRO.

Stakeholders

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders including senior stakeholders in both the UK and France.
• Work with stakeholders including AWE and contractors, to clarify, refine, consolidate and communicate Teutates requirements.

Additional elements of the role will include:

• Deputise for the Teutates AH as required

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments.

Flexible and condensed working patterns can be considered for this post but due to security constraints the role is not suitable for pure hybrid working. Candidates are encouraged to discuss options with the recruiting line manager before submitting an application.

The Teutates and Test, Trials and Evaluation teams are based at AWE (Aldermaston). This post will require occasional travel to London and France. Flexible and condensed working patterns can be considered for this post but due to security constraints the role is not suitable for hybrid working. Attendance in person at AWE (Aldermaston), London or Abbey Wood (Bristol) is expected on average 3 days a week. Candidates are encouraged to discuss options with the recruiting line manager before submitting an application.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

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 500 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:

• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture

If a large number of applications are received, the sift will be based on Working Together, CV and Personal Statement only. However, evidence should be provided against all behaviours requested.

At interview, you will be assessed against the following behaviours and your experience.

• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Leadership
• 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 via MS Teams

Candidates who are found to meet an acceptable standard at interview but are not successful in one of the advertised posts 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.

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.

There may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all DCS candidates that meet the minimum criteria for the job. For example, in certain recruitment situations such as a high volume of applications, seasonal demand, or peak periods, the employer may wish to limit the overall number of interviews offered to both DCS and non-DCS applicants.

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.