Nuclear Safeguards Programme – Technical Support Officer (Secondment)

Job Introduction

This secondment opportunity is aimed at a grade 4C to 4B and/or an individual with equivalent experience.

If you have any queries regarding the position itself please contact Mat Budsworth.

If you have any queries about the impact to your pay and/or pension benefits, by applying for this position, please contact the HR Support Team.

Job Description

There has never been a more exciting time to be part of the Security and Non proliferation team. As a result of evolving nuclear landscape and further investment to support BEIS and the IAEA, there is a requirement to provide added capacity and resilience in leading the UK's Nuclear Safeguards Programme (NSP). We have identified a 12-24 month secondment opportunity to strengthen the delivery of the NSP and contribute to the UK's strategic ambitions for Nuclear Safeguards and Nonproliferation

Our Secondment program offers individuals the opportunity to take a break in their regular career trajectory to expand their horizons within the Nuclear industry.  It is invaluable to the learning process and enables individuals to form new connections across industry, and Government whilst building upon your expertise without a long term commitment.

Through their nuclear safeguards measures, the International Atomic Energy Agency ensure global compliance with the Non-proliferation Treaty, deterring the spread of nuclear weapons by the early detection of the misuse of nuclear material or technology. The Nuclear Safeguards Programme (NSP) is the UK’s official mechanism for providing technical safeguards support to the IAEA and to UK Government.  The work under the NSP contributes to the maintenance of the international safeguards regime with the main aims as follows:

• to assist the IAEA in ensuring the continued and improved effectiveness of its safeguards system and to influence the formulation of technical safeguards policy in the IAEA;
• to assist the UK in meeting its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (‘the NPT’) in as cost-effective a manner as possible; and
• to assist in the formulation of UK policy on safeguards and non-proliferation issues.

Role Responsibility

Main Responsibilities for Nuclear Safeguards Programme – Technical Support Officer (Secondment):

• Assist the Nuclear Safeguards Programme (NSP) Manager in managing all aspects of the NSP, a 4-year contract with a revenue of > £2M per annum (March 2021-25) to deliver value to BEIS and the IAEA.
• Maintain effective communications with BEIS, other government departments, IAEA, sub-contractors, other Member State Support Programmes and safeguards practitioners to ensure delivery of the programme.
• Represent the NSP and UKSP, both at the national and international level, and liaise with other Member State Support Programmes and technical authorities, including active participation in relevant meetings and providing appropriate feedback to BEIS. International travel may be required.
• Receipt and initial assessment of technical requirements and the selection of suitable contractors. Agreeing Workplans with Contractors and BEIS or IAEA ensuring that they represent value for money and fulfil the identified need for safeguards support.
• Reporting to BEIS and producing information on the programme and individual Tasks for dissemination by BEIS.
• Organising and attending the UK Support Programme Annual Review Meetings with the IAEA and attending biennial IAEA MSSP Coordinators’ meetings.
• Ensure the performance of the programme area is tracked, monitored, reported against budgets and targets and attend Contract Review Meetings where appropriate.
• Champion international safeguards requirements within NNL, forming an effective interface with the Security and Non-Proliferation (S&NP) Purpose Focus Area, supporting activities related to NSP management capability development, and other strategic initiatives as appropriate.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential Criteria for Nuclear Safeguards Programme – Technical Support Officer (Secondment):

• High level understanding of the UK nuclear enterprise.
• Ability to communicate with clarity in a variety of settings and engage with stakeholders of all levels across industry, academia and government.
• Ability to develop and present business justifications to support safeguard investment.  
• Appreciation of operating in multicultural and diplomatic environments.
• Ability to command and facilitate group discussion both internally and externally.
• Proactive and customer focused with excellent organisational skills.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Ability to obtain SC level security clearance (this includes but is not limited to identity, employment, financial and criminal record checks plus 5 years’ worth of UK residency).

Desirable Criteria for Nuclear Safeguards Programme – Technical Support Officer (Secondment):

• Knowledge of nuclear safeguards, including appreciation of the regulatory and political aspects.
• Project or programme management experience.
• Experience working with Government officials.
• Understanding of UK policy and the global nuclear landscape.
• Senior stakeholder management.

About the Company

Grounded in robust science and decades of experience, National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) is the authoritative voice in the UK and beyond for technological development within the nuclear power sector.

Our unparalleled understanding of the science, challenges and opportunities makes us an unrivalled authority and partner in the field, providing experts, technologies, and access to cutting-edge facilities to organisations around the world.

Harnessing potential technologies and translating them into to industry-ready solutions means our pioneering approach spearheads international improvement and technological progress.

We work on projects as small as drilling a hole to analyse underground wastes with our integrated micro drilling technology, or as large as developing state-of-the-art power systems for spacecraft, based on radioactive materials

NNL has a vision for Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (ED&I) where NNL aims to be an inclusive workplace that attracts diverse talent through transparent and equal policies and procedures. We want you and the diverse mix of people that we employ, customers that we service and stakeholders that we influence to feel valued. We encourage a workplace culture where everyone can thrive with a sense of belonging.

Recruitment Agency Notice

We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List (PSL) for the provision of recruitment services. Only agencies on our PSL may provide CVs and only when the role is released to them by our recruitment team. We will not accept unsolicited CVs from suppliers not currently on our PSL. We explicitly reserve the right to add candidate details from unsolicited CVs from non-PSL agencies into our own candidate database and to pursue/hire such candidate(s) without any obligation, financial or otherwise, to the agency concerned.

National Nuclear Laboratory