ISM Project Support 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.

This is a genuinely exciting time to join the Ministry of Defence and work at the heart of the UK's strategic nuclear deterrent. Within the Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO), the Warhead Directorate is responsible for delivering and sustaining the UK's nuclear warhead capability, ensuring a safe, secure and effective stockpile now and into the future.

The Integrated Stockpile Management (ISM) Directorate is responsible for the development, delivery and support of the current in-service Trident Mk4A Re-Entry System, future technologies, and the replacement Mk7 Re-Entry System. Working across the Defence Nuclear Enterprise with the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), Royal Navy and other key stakeholders, ISM acts as the MOD intelligent customer throughout the capability lifecycle, from concept and development through to in-service support and eventual disposal.

This role sits within the Integrated Stockpile Organisation (ISO) and provides vital programme support to ensure the successful delivery of Mk4A capability. The post holder will support project governance, risk and issue management, stakeholder engagement, and business case development, contributing directly to the sustainment of a nationally critical capability that underpins the UK's Continuous At-Sea Deterrent.

This post is advertised at 37 hours per week.

The successful candidate will join the Integrated Stockpile Organisation (ISO) within the Integrated Stockpile Management (ISM) Directorate, supporting the delivery and sustainment of the UK's Trident Mk4A Re-Entry System and related stockpile capabilities. The role provides essential project and programme support to ensure effective delivery of a nationally critical capability that underpins the UK's Continuous At-Sea Deterrent.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting project and programme management activities across the Mk4A portfolio, ensuring plans, schedules and priorities remain aligned to programme objectives.
• Conducting risk, issue, assumption and dependency reviews with project stakeholders, maintaining accurate records and ensuring regular reviews are undertaken to support effective project control and decision-making.
• Developing and maintaining productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders to secure specialist resources and support programme delivery, including engagement with UK and US partners where required.
• Supporting change management activities, including working with contractors and monitoring progress against change control notifications.
• Producing and maintaining business cases to ensure the continued availability of the engineering and scientific expertise needed to meet current and future programme requirements.
• Providing regular progress reporting to the Programme Office, escalating issues and risks as appropriate, and supporting the governance processes necessary for successful delivery.
• Contributing to projects and services that support the in-service stockpile system, helping to sustain nuclear warhead capability and assure Continuous At-Sea Deterrent (CASD).
• Options to run smaller projects or tasks once familiar with the role.

This role offers the opportunity to work with a wide range of stakeholders across the Defence Nuclear Enterprise, contributing directly to the delivery and sustainment of one of the UK's most important national security capabilities.

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 Behaviour:

• Communicating and Influencing

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

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 at AWE Aldermaston and MOD Abbey Wood.

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.

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.