AddressThis post is responsible for developing and implementing a safety theme and architecture for the Coulport readiness programme, to ensure the appropriate level of safety is considered during the design and development of a Replacement Warhead system capability at Coulport.
The post holder will be based in Royal Navy Armaments Depot (RNAD) Coulport and get the opportunity to work across DNO and the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE); engage with safety regulators and site stakeholders and ensure the UKs direct involvement with equivalent safety engineering programmes in the US that the UK may align with.
The post holder will work across DNO and the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) technical teams; engage with safety regulators and site stakeholders.
The function of the post is to lead the development of the new RW Safety Case at Coulport as part of the newly established Coulport RW readiness team.
The post will take the lead role in clearly identifying the requirements of the Safety Case to the site authorisee and approving authority, ensuring all necessary warhead information is provided to ensure the safety of site operations.
Key deliverables:
- Developing the future RW nuclear weapons Safety Management arrangements at RNAD(C)
- Developing the safety requirements and the warhead Safety Case for future warhead operations.
- Ensuring RNAD(C) is compliant with all relevant design requirements, nuclear weapons legislation, and regulations.
- Leading the interface and management of DNO Clyde and all regulatory requirements for RW.
Person specification
Lead the development of the wider Replacement Warhead (RW) Safety Case
- Write, maintain, and amend the nuclear weapons safety information that will support RW operations at Coulport.
- Lead Hazard Identification and Hazard Analysis studies for the RW nuclear weapon processing activities at Coulport.
- Apply claims, arguments, and evidence to build a nuclear Safety Case and ensure that facility safety measures are fully substantiated by tasking the appropriate Design Authorities. Specify operational constraints of nuclear weapon systems/components within the Safety Case. Apply modern methodologies to nuclear weapons Safety Cases.
- Lead risk reduction demonstrations and workshops on behalf of DNO to ensure that risk associated with nuclear weapons authorised activities have been reduced to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP).
- In support of RW readiness review, interpret safety assessments and modifications to the nuclear weapon system and/or components; make appropriate modifications to the site Safety Case and make credible safety justifications to support staged nuclear weapons approvals.
- Providing Safety Case input into alignment of current and future nuclear warhead operational activities undertaken at the Coulport site on behalf of DNO.
- Specifying, assessing, and advising on the facility and interfacing equipment arrangements used for in-service support and maintenance of nuclear weapons
- Act as an intelligent customer to ensure that the scope and output from nuclear safety related contracts meet the contract requirements and appropriate standards.
Manage and implement Replacement Warhead nuclear weapons safety management arrangements at RNAD Coulport
- Assist in formulation, implementation, and maintenance of nuclear weapons safety management arrangements at RNAD Coulport and within DNO.
- Actively promote a nuclear safety and security culture, including by engaging with facility operators to ensure hazard awareness with nuclear weapon processing activities. Provide specialist knowledge in support of assessment and investigation of relevant nuclear related accident events.
- Actively co-operate with all nuclear safety and security related audits, inspections and peer reviews.
- Produce and analyse associated RW NW safety documentation to justify operations. Ensure design intent is met and ensure that scope for Replacement Warhead activities is captured.
- Identify and present RW Safety related issues arising to the development and operation of the new RW system design.
- Ensure hazard listing and fault schedules are appropriate for the activities scoped.
- Undertake Safety Class Analysis and appropriate safeguards are identified.
- Make sure Replacement Warhead Operational and Safety Functional Requirements are clearly defined; appropriate standards and codes (including safety management arrangements) are identified and satisfied.
- Liaise with authorities on Nuclear Safety and Design requirements matters.
- Make sure appropriate UK and US procedures are produced and reviewed to support the activities scoped.
- Ensuring the overall RW Safety Argument and ALARP Argument for undertaking the Authorised Activities detailed in the Scope of Operations is not compromised.
Qualifications:
- HNC / HND in an Engineering discipline or equivalent relevant experience.
Can be gained in post:
- Nuclear Warhead Foundation Course (NWFC)
- Nuclear site safety justification course
Desirable Qualifications:
Can be gained in post:
- Z6
- AWE Intermediate Warhead Safety Course (IWSC).
- TEST 10 Course
- Trident D5 Familiarisation Course
Skills:
- Knowledge of Safety Management Systems and Safety Cases
Desirable Skills:
- Knowledge of the design, development, and manufacture of nuclear weapons
- Knowledge of facilities at AWE Aldermaston and Burghfield
- Knowledge of Coulport Site and Operations
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Leadership
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Nuc 1.2: Nuclear safety management systems
- Nuc 1.3: Nuclear Safety Cases
We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:
- Nuc 1.3: Nuclear Safety Cases
Benefits
Alongside your salary of 43,080, Ministry of Defence contributes 11,631 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
We truly believe that the MOD is a great place to work, and we offer a unique employee experience. We want to ensure that every single employee feels appreciated & fairly rewarded and offer the following additional benefits:
- Learning and development tailored to your role and broader skill development, enabling you to build a long-term career in your chosen area. Where appropriate there will be offers of training under our apprenticeship schemes.
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 days following 5 years service (+ 8 days bank and public holidays), with family friendly benefits including improved maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
- Cycle Loan (Advance on Salary)
- Thank You Scheme
- Defence Sports & Recreational Association (DSRA)
- Defence Discount Service
- Some of our sites have on-site gyms, restaurants, cafes, nurseries and more
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
The post does not offer relocation expenses.
External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.
Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.
Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ .
The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.
MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey we may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
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. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
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, full details of education and qualifications and previous experiences and skills. Please also include any relevant responsibilities and achievements.
You have 250 words to answer each Behaviour (competency style).
The Following Behaviours will be Assessed at Sift and Interview:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
The Following Behaviours will be Assessed at Interview only:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Leadership
If a large number of applications are received then the initial sift will be based on Making Effective Decisions only. However, evidence should be provided against all behaviours requested.
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.
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.
You will also be expected to achieve Developed Vetting clearance, above the normal clearance level expected for the MoD.
No application can be accepted after the closing date.
Nationality Requirements - Further Information for Candidates
UK National Definition
2.The definition of a UK National can be found at Paragraphs. 1.4-1.8 of the Civil Service Nationality Rules .
Dual Nationals
3.As per Paragraph. 1.41 of the Civil Service Nationality Rules :
a) Candidates with dual nationality are in principle eligible for employment in the Civil Service provided that they meet the requirements in relation to one oftheir nationalities [i.e. UK National]. They may not be eligible, however, for employment in certain reserved posts where additional nationality requirements are imposed.
Additional Restrictions for Reserved Posts
4.As per Paragraphs. 3.10-3.11 of the Civil Service Nationality Rules :
a) departments and agencies are entitled to impose additionalrequirements in reserved posts if this is considered necessary. This could include, for example, requirements as to the residency of the applicant or the nationality of one or both parents of the applicant.
5, If you are a Dual National who possesses UK Nationality and wish to check your eligibility for the post, please contact our recruiting team at the details below. Please be advised that we will not be able to provide a justification for our decision for security reasons.
DNO External Recruitment DNO-ExternalRecruiting@mod.gov.uk
[1] Irish nationals and Commonwealth citizens are also eligible for employment in reserved posts if they were in the Civil Service at 31 May 1996 or before, or were appointed from a recruitment scheme with a closing date for receipt of applications before 1 June 1996. (Paragraph. 3.1)
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk
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.
The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and 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.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window) .
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window) .
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
Open to UK nationals only.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window) .
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.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
