Warhead Directorate - Nuclear Threat Reduction Programme Manager

at  UK Government Ministry of Defence

You will work within a team of seven (B1, 2xB2, 3xC1 and C2) permanent members of staff who are required to be Subject Matter Experts in nuclear weapons and materials, and with sufficient experience to engage on a peer-professional basis with Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), military, colleagues engaged in radiological and nuclear policy across Government, and international partner organisations. The function of the team is to set the direction of the NTR programme, working across a broad portfolio of requirements. The programme delivers technical projects from Science and Technology through capability development to operational delivery across a number of areas including: nuclear counter-terrorism and proliferation; nuclear forensics; Arms Control Verification Research; Defence Nuclear Transport; and support to UK commitments under the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) as well as specialist areas of technical nuclear security.
You will work to the team Deputy Head (B1) to set the requirements for and direction of parts of the NTR programme for which you will be given responsibility. In doing so you will also work with delivery colleagues in the team to manage and track delivery of the programme, as well as assessing the quality of the outputs. Exact topic areas of responsibility will depend on your individual skills and prior experience, and as your NTR experience grows and nuclear competence develops you will be expected to work flexibly across the portfolio. It is desirable for you to have experience writing and submitting Business Cases, as well as being able to challenge and provide scrutiny to the Business Cases of others.

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential: Degree in a science, mathematics or engineering subject

TECHNICAL SKILLS

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

• NUC 4.2 – Nuclear Weapon Systems and Components Concept, Assessment, Design for Modifications and Life Extensions.

Benefits

You will need to build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders across Defence, UK Government and international partners in order to define, collate, co-ordinate and periodically review MOD NTR requirements for the programme. You will also provide your nuclear weapon subject matter expertise to advise and influence your broad range of stakeholders on matters of policy, capability development and Deterrence Life Cycle management.
You will be given the responsibility to lead on at least one strategic collaboration with key US partners and collaborators. You will need to be able to work collaboratively to deliver on shared bilateral objectives.
Desirable Qualifications:
Project or Programme Management qualifications e.g. Managing Successful Programmes (Foundation or Practitioner level)
Please note that due to the sensitivity of the role we can only accept SOLE UK Nationals and you will also be expected to achieve Developed Vetting clearance, above the normal clearance level expected for the MoD.