AddressThe job holder will line manage one Higher Executive Officer and represent the programme in relevant working groups and forums with government, industry and international partners.
The job holder will also be responsible for remaining an awareness of relevant projects that have an impact upon programme Materials Requirements and taking action to ensure programme requirements are adequately accounted for within those.
Materials are important dependencies across the whole of the Warhead Group, influencing both in-service Stockpile Management and replacement n uclear warhead design. The post holder will work especially closely with the Infrastructure and Materials Directorate within the Warhead Group area to ensure that decision-making in this area is fully cognisant of programme requirements and ensuring that the supply of strategic materials will meet the demand signal for the replacement nuclear warhead in alignment with the programmes Master Schedule.
The job holder will have opportunities to receive unique training specific to nuclear warheads which will provide a unique insight into the world of Defence Nuclear.
This is a unique opportunity to lead a multi-disciplinary team in an area of strategic national importance for defence. It will allow you to hone your skills in project delivery and will provide you opportunities to develop your understanding of the nuclear weapon enterprise and will open innumerable possibilities to develop your career further. This will be a highly challenging and engaging post presenting an excellent opportunity for interaction with the senior staff within the Ministry of Defence, wider government, industry and international partners.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wishes to join the defence nuclear programme. You will be joining a diverse and multi-disciplined team delivering key elements of the UK nuclear deterrent. Few projects are as meaningful as this one, and our nuclear programme is a key priority for the Government. This leads to a hugely exciting sense of making a real contribution to defence objectives.
Person specification
Responsibilities:
This role will be primarily responsible for l eading the R eplacement Warhead Materials Requirements t eam in the development and delivery of aspects of t he Replacement Warhead Programme of work and its related schedule c oncerning the Management of Strategic Material requirements.
These requirements will feed into internal engineering, technical and programmatic work across the programme, and influence the wider Warhead Group.
The post holder will contribute to this effort by:
- L eading all aspects on the development of the Engineering development plan related to strategic materials, to support the conceptual design of a replacement nuclear warhead.
- L eading the development of relevant sections within programme business cases.
- L eading on development of a communications plan to highlight p rogramme Materials Requirements to the wider Warhead Group and key stakeholders.
- L eading on the creation and maintenance of a Bill of Materials and demand signal, informed by key stakeholders, to record the material requirements and associated demand stemming from the programme.
- Worki ng closely with the Infrastructure and Materials team to deliver an aligned understanding of material requirements at the portfolio level, ensuring that programme needs are understood and accepted within this.
- Providing updates to senior decision-makers at relevant governance for a on matters relating to programme materials, escalating blockers as required.
- Developi ng a detailed understanding of the current and forecast materials stockpile for the programme.
- Ensuring decision-making is taking place in alignment with the realisation of programme benefits.
- Leading the identification of key Materials Requirements and make recommendations to ensure optimal decision-making and cohesion across the Warhead Group.
- Working closely with the Risk and Assumptions Manager to allow early mitigation of emerging risks.
- Worki ng closely with the Infrastructure and Materials team to develop the body of evidence to make investment decisions.
- Acti ng as the Intelligent Customer for Replacement Warhead on Materials, ensuring that Subject Matter Expertise across the DNO and Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) is leveraged to deliver programme requirements.
- Line managing a Higher Executive Officer to support in the delivery of the above.
The post holder will also be expected to support wider directorate activities on infrastructure and materials to ensure that programme requirements are achieved and provide general support in the management of day-to-day programme administration on an ad hoc basis.
Qualifications:
- Level 5 or above qualification in a relevant discipline or equivalent relevant experience
Skills:
- Excellent Communication Skills
- Knowledge of fissile, fissionable and other special materials, their use and management
- Knowledge of Energetic materials, their use and management
- Experience with requirements management
Desirable Qualifications:
- Formal qualification in project or programme management (PLP, APM, MSP, Prince2, etc)
- Nuclear Fuel Life-Cycle Course
Desirable Skills:
- Knowledge of the Nuclear Weapons Programme and Nuclear Fuel Cycle
- Experience working in the Defence Nuclear Programme, with knowledge of policies and procedures across all life cycle phases, or related experience
- Awareness of the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement (MDA) and Polaris Sales Agreement (PSA), and underlying technical arrangements therein
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Working Together
- Changing and Improving
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Changing and Improving
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Nuc 2.2 Management of the Nuclear Weapon Programme
- Nuc 4.2 - Nuclear Weapon Concept, Assessment and Design
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, raising 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
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.
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.
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.
You have 250 words to answer each Behaviour (competency style) and around 1250 words for a Personal Statement, where you have the opportunity to show how you meet the requirements of the role.
Candidates will be required to complete an online CV template to include job history and previous experiences and skills. Please also include any relevant responsibilities and achievements.
At interview you will be assessed against the following behaviours:
- leadership
- working together
At application and interview you will be assessed against the following behaviours :
- changing and improving
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 bench marked and these will be used to sift all candidates, with those meeting the minimum requirements invited to interview.
Candidates are advised that due to the sensitivity of the role we can only accept UK Nationals and 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.
*Please note that not following the appropriate format will mean that you may be unable to reach the required grades for sift or interview*
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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 additional requirements 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)
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.
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
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.
