Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator Principal Inspector Nuclear Warhead Approving & Design Authorities (IADA)

This challenging opportunity is for the role of Principal Inspector Approving & Design Authorities (IADA).  The DNSR IADA role regulates the Nuclear Warhead Approval & Design Authority (NWADA), which comprises the MOD Approval Authority and the AWE Design Authority, collectively known as the NWADA.  The NWADA is responsible for the intrinsic safety of the nuclear warhead by the provision of a safe design, approvals, and information to all 4 of the LCP Authorisee’s.  The regulatory conditions on NWADA cover the “cradle to grave” aspects and include concept and design, modifications and interfaces with the assembly and disassembly, processing, storage, and handling of nuclear warheads ashore and onboard submarines.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. 

You will lead the IADA team within DNSR and use a combination of regulatory interface forums, inspections, assessments and permissioning of activities, to discharge your regulatory responsibilities to provide assurance of compliance by the Authorisee with the Authorisation Conditions.   The team also conduct an annual independent regulatory review of nuclear warhead stockpile safety which is focused on the in service nuclear warheads and their through-life safety.

Following the successful completion of a Duly Authorised Person (DAP) board, the successful candidate will have delegated regulatory authority from NWR for the following:

• The granting or withholding of permission for activities in the Nuclear Weapon Programme which may present a nuclear or radiological hazard.
• Approve/agree nuclear safety submissions and safety management arrangements.
• Offer formal regulatory advice to Authorisee’s representatives.
• Direct the postponement or cessation of specified activity if safety standards have been or are likely to be compromised to an unacceptable degree.
• Assess the demonstration of nuclear emergency arrangements.
• Seek assurance of compliance with the regulatory requirements.

This role will provide you with the chance to work on a wide range of nuclear projects over multiple Authorised Sites, directly influencing the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE) within all areas of the CADMID cycle. You will also have significant opportunity to develop your skills within Nuclear Safety Regulation and general nuclear safety technical fields.

Responsibilities

Your main responsibilities will involve the regulation of nuclear and radiological safety as specified in your Letter of Delegated Regulatory Authority and in accordance with the DNSR Regulatory Management System.  This includes:

• Leading and influencing nuclear safety activities in support of the DNE, through providing regulatory advice and guidance to the Authorisee (NFC 1.1).
• Conduct inspections of the Authorisees arrangements against defence regulations and support the Authorisee in demonstrating sustained compliance of safe nuclear operations (NFC 1.5).
• Seek demonstration of a safety culture (Leadership & Management for Safety) by the Authorisee, and the application of a Security Informed Nuclear Safety (SINS) approach and assess its manifestation in the operation and sustainment of nuclear safety (NFC 1.1).
• To assist in and provide briefs to other DNSR Principal Inspectors, NWR and DNSR Head as required (NFC 1.5).

Skills, Qualifications & Experience

• Degree or HNC level qualification or equivalent in a STEM field or equivalent experience.
• 12 months experience working or supporting the DNE or equivalent, undertaken within the last two years.
• Knowledge of nuclear weapon design and/or knowledge of ordnance, munitions, and explosives whilst not essential would be advantageous.

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

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Nuc 1.1 – Nuclear Safety & Security Culture (Level 2)
• Nuc 1.5 – Nuclear Safety Assurance & Regulation (Level 2)
• Nuc 4.2 – Nuclear Weapon Systems & Components (Level 2)

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

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.  

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Job contact :

• Name : Dr Paul Michael DSA DNSR NWR Tel: 030 679 85654 E-mail paul.michael847@mod.gov.uk
• Email : paul.michael847@mod.gov.uk
• Telephone : 030 679 85654

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk