DNO - Warhead Atomic Control Office (ACO) Technical Support

Job description

This post is part of the Atomic Control Office (ACO) which sits as part of the wider Mutual Defense Agreement (MDA) team within Warhead Group.

The MDA team has responsibility for providing support to a wide range of important tasks which support the exchange of information between the UK and US Governments under the auspices of the 1958 MDA - a hugely important treaty for the defence nuclear enterprise that is the cornerstone of the UKs national security.

The team also has responsibility for the policy relating to the protection of some of the UKs most sensitive information, and for the management and coordination of the provision of technical advice relating to the classification of that information. It is the classification area of the team in which this post will sit and will report directly to the ACO Policy Lead (a MoD C1, CS SEO equivalent).

Due to the accountability of the role, the post holder should expect regular and routine interactions with the wider technical team and staff from across the directorate.

The post holder will be expected to build and maintain close and positive working relationships with personnel across the enterprise and external stakeholders including members of the Nuclear Research Advisory Council and those on the register of Nuclear Experts. Occasional travel to the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) will be required. Other travel in the UK may be required.

The role will provide the successful candidate with a unique insight into the technical requirements and security culture that underpins the development and delivery of warheads for the UK strategic nuclear deterrent. It is an excellent opportunity for an experienced administrator to develop their skills in a new environment or for someone looking for development opportunities in the defence nuclear enterprise.

The work is varied and involves the control and management of highly classified documents and special handling materials, maintenance of physical and electronic filing and records systems, as well as wider office management responsibilities and involvement in the support to our interactions with the US under the MDA.

The post holder should expect regular and routine interactions with a wide range of personnel at all levels both within DNO, the wider MOD, across other Government Departments and into the wider Defence Nuclear Enterprise. Some interactions with a range of international partners, particularly across the US government should also be expected.

Person specification

The day-to-day responsibilities of the post holder will include:

• Assisting in the development and management of the directorates information management strategies and policies for atomic classification and Need-to-Know (NTK).
• Building, maintaining and ensuring appropriate security and access requirements are in place for a central repository of classification and security related guidance across various platforms.
• Managing the upkeep and maintenance of various NTK access records, ensuring that they are stored and maintained in line with the relevant policies and procedures, and MOD security requirements. The post holder will be expected to assist other parts of the directorate in the development and implementation of electronic access records as and where required.
• Being a member of the DNO Warhead Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPB) Secretariat and acting as the initial point of contact for: members of the Nuclear Research Advisory Council (NRAC), the Warhead Technical team, the Cabinet Office, and others. On behalf of the NRAC Secretariat the post holder will deal with members queries; conflicts of interest; legal and regulatory issues; and legislative and compliance activities.
• Managing and maintaining DNO Warheads Register of Nuclear Experts. This incorporates: monitoring and analysis of the diversity and equality of registered members; managing candidate sifts internally and the arrangement of independent sifts; management of communications to members and candidates; maintaining the database of members and records of business cases for the use of members; authorisation and payment of claims and expenses of NRAC members and registered experts, ensuring it is within business case approvals, keeping financial records and liaising with finance and DBS as required; and undertaking preparation work for the expansion of the register.
• Providing generic business support to the wider MDA team as and when required. This may include assisting with the transfer of information between different IT systems.
• Supporting the running of the DNO Warhead London office by taking delegations and acting as an escort for visitors; performing general office admin tasks; and managing appropriate actions and communications to the wider team.

The post holder should have good administrative skills with experience of working with MS Office; effective written and oral communication skills, able to interact with colleagues at all levels; excellent organisational skills, able to multi-task, prioritise and deal with busy and quieter periods of work and be a team player who can work effectively with colleagues across several locations. Applicants should describe how they can demonstrate they have these skills in their Personal Statement as part of the application process.

Although the post will be engaged in work that is technical in nature, no background in nuclear or wider science and technology is required for the role. Some familiarisation training and opportunities for personal development will be available.

Desirable Skills

• Previous experience in the defence nuclear enterprise.
• Previous experience of working in a national security related role, handling classified information.
• Previous experience working in a secretariat or business support function.
• Familiarity with MOD finance, business cases and payment systems.
• Experience of working with MS Office.
• Database and/or records management experience.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of 28,300, Ministry of Defence contributes 7,641 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 and Experience.

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 the Behaviours and Experience sections 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*

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.

Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history and previous skills and experience.

You have 1250 words for a Personal Statement, where you have the opportunity to show how you meet the requirements of the role. The Personal Statement should take into account any skills and experience relevant to this role referring to the role responsibilities and the desirable skills as outlined in the advert. Please keep your statement succinct. It should be written in prose and not bullet pointed. The Statement is your opportunity to demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the role as well as your motivation for applying.

At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles Behaviours:

• Communicating and Influencing
  
• Working Together

In the case of a high volume of applications, the sift will be conducted on the basis of Personal Statement and CV alone.

At interview, you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles Behaviours:

• Communicating and Influencing
  
• Working Together
  
• Making Effective Decisions
  
• Managing a Quality Service

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.

Nationality Requirements - Further Information for Candidates

This post is classed as Reserved as per Civil Service Nationality Rules Section 3. In accordance with these rules, only UK nationals may be employed in reserved posts in the Civil Service [1] (Paragraph. 3.1).

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 - [email protected]

[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: [email protected] .

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.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window) .