DNO Warhead Group, Infrastructure & Materials Programme Sponsor

The nuclear weapon production system is both complicated and complex. Many of the capabilities required have not been delivered for two generations and consequently there is a need to deliver modern fit for purpose infrastructure capabilities to support the target production system.
Equally, these weapons require numerous hazardous material feedstocks that are in limited supply and carry a high regulatory constraint. There is a need to manage and control our existing stockpile and develop new procurement, manufacturing, and machining capability, which ties into the infrastructure above.
There are 4 Assistant Head roles available across the Infrastructure and Materials (I&M) team focused across different projects/elements of the portfolio.
Post holders will be supported to become a subject matter expert on their area of responsibility and sponsor the delivery of capability in support of the nuclear weapon production system.
They will manage the full project/programme life cycle within their area of responsibility. From requirement capture, options analysis, approvals, sponsorship of delivery and ultimately, acceptance into operations for the realisation of capability benefits.
They will be responsible for supporting sponsors, developing, and managing relationships with wider stakeholders, supporting in the development of understanding of the benefits and capabilities being delivered by the infrastructure and materials projects or programme.
Post holders will develop as SMEs and will support the wider portfolio by acting as a point of contact for non-I&M led projects and programmes with a view to managing interdependencies and shaping the portfolio to meet demand.
Act as an intelligent customer a nd support development of the DNO material strategy and its Infrastructure Capability Plans (ICP). This includes assessing and accepting recommendations proposed. M aterials roles will also translate and define requirements for the procurement, reprocessing and disposal of nuclear material. They will act as an integrator into wider programme planning and develop and implement a MOD strategic materials plan.
The post will also support across the infrastructure and materials team as part of a wider cohort of A ssistant Heads with similar skills and competencies in order to develop resilience in the I&M team. This includes representing the Defence Nuclear Programme in nuclear weapon programme fora on strategic material or infrastructure issues and briefing seniors across MOD and wider government.
DNO fully supports flexible/ hybrid working where possible. However, the classification of some of the work demands regular office attendance. Flexibility will be required by postholders to meet the demands of the programme and they should expect to attend the office 2/3 times a week to access classified systems and engage face to face. Equally, there will be regular travel to other sites.
Terms of Reference (TORs) for individual roles are available subject to classification constraints and discussion with line managers.
Person specification
Responsibilities :
Infrastructure

• Sponsorship of infrastructure projects and programmes.
• Assessing, planning, enabling, and initiating investments, infrastructure projects and programmes.
• Infrastructure requirements, benefits, and acceptance management.
• Provide infrastructure insight and expertise across the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.

Materials

• Determine and maintain the strategy for strategic materials.
• Provide SME advice to relevant Warhead Group projects and programmes .
• Management (procurement, disposal, loans, and transfers) of Accountable Nuclear Material (ANM) to achieve material availability for current programmes.
• Management of ANM recycling to ensure continuity of supply for future programmes.
• Material Disposal.

Qualifications
Qualification or Membership of a professional s cience, engineering or project or programme institution, with route to Fellowship or Chartership.
Skills

• At least 5 years experience of working in regulated sectors, projects or programmes with knowledge life cycle phases or related experience.

Desirable Qualifications

• Degree in a scientific or engineering discipline.
• Membership of a Professional Engineering Institution, with route to Incorporation or Chartership.
• A recognised Project Management Certification (e.g. APM, PRINCE2 or equivalent)
• Nuclear Weapon Foundation Course (NSQEP - Accredited Course)
• Nuclear Weapon Z6 Course (NSQEP - Accredited Course)
• Nuclear Submarine Quality Assurance Course (NSQEP - Accredited Course)
• Nuclear Fuel Cycle Course
• Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Science
• Audit and Evaluation Skills Course
• System Engineering (Awareness) Course
• Weapons Ordnance Munitions & Explosives Safety (Awareness) Course

Desirable Skills

• Business Case Approvals experience.
• Infrastructure Project Delivery.
• Infrastructure or Estate Management.
• Awareness level knowledge of the Nuclear Weapon Programme.
• Awareness level knowledge of the MODs Capability Management approach.
• Awareness Level knowledge of MOD Commercial Policy, Procedures and Process
• Practitioner level understanding of the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement.
• Practitioner Level knowledge of Management of the Nuclear Weapon Programme (JSP538 & JSP372)

Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Working Together
• Seeing the Big Picture

Benefits
Alongside your salary of 57,670, Ministry of Defence contributes 15,570 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.
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