Programme Officer International Nuclear Security

This post sits within the Non Proliferation Unit in the Nuclear Protection Directorate. Our purpose is to ensure that civil nuclear power continues to be supported by the public and the international community as a safe and secure source of clean energy. We do this by, internationally, delivering policy and assistance to prevent states or terrorists from acquiring and misusing nuclear material or technologies and, domestically, showing the world that the UK's civil nuclear programme is used only for peaceful purposes. This is critical for our national security and to support the UK's broader energy policy objectives.

In delivering against these aims, the team's key responsibilities include:

1. Deliver international non-proliferation policy as it relates to civil nuclear policy and applications, including leading on the "Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy" pillar of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and supporting the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

2. Provide assistance to help improve nuclear security in priority countries, and to enable the IAEA to conduct its nuclear safeguards and security work effectively.

3. Ensure the UK's civil nuclear programme and exports meet our nuclear non-proliferation obligations.

The post holder will focus on the second of these objectives with a focus on counter-terrorism objectives to prevent non-state actors from acquiring nuclear or radiological materials. This post will handle much of the day-to-day activity of the Global Nuclear Security Programme - the UK's only programme for providing nuclear security improvements overseas. The security of nuclear and radiological material globally is a national security priority (reiterated in the Integrated Review). The role sits within a small team that coordinates a budget of c£9m per year.

The team works closely with other policy areas within the Unit. The programme officer maintains links within DESNZ, across Whitehall, with international partners, and with implementing partners. This is a central role supporting effective programme management including financial and corporate oversight, governance, and reporting. You will be working with one SEO and a G7 and will have the opportunity to develop key skills on programme management, financial management, policy development, building and maintaining relationships both domestically and internationally - this role provides an excellent opportunity at this grade to work on programme management, high priority policy areas, financial management, and to represent the UK internationally and is a great role to stretch the post holder.

The post holder will be expected to travel internationally as part of their role and this could be as much as six times a year both short and long-haul to attending multi-lateral meetings and undertaking project oversight visits.

While the role can be undertaken with SC clearance we request that the candidate be willing to undergo the DV clearance process.

Person specification

The role coordinates the day-today activity of the Global Nuclear Security Programme and contributes to the successful delivery of a cross-government national security priority. This includes:

• Programme management - Governance through the use of oversight tools; financial management of the c£9m programme; risk registers; evaluation tools; reporting internally and to government partners.



• Project management - management of workstreams including nuclear security culture, radiological source security and counter nuclear smuggling. This includes identifying potential projects, managing existing projects, and ensuring activity is in line with priorities.



• Policy delivery - assisting with the development of overall programme policy objectives and where programme funds should be spent, in line with HMG priorities.



• Engagement - Developing and maintaining relationships whether it is with finance teams in DESNZ, policy leads in Cabinet Office, suppliers delivering programmes, or international partners. These are key to the effectiveness of the programme and explaining what we do and how we do it.


International travel will be an essential part of the role and the programme officer can expect to undertake at least six overseas trips a year. This can encroach on weekends and evenings but we seek to minimise this as far as possible and time off in lieu can be taken., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service


• Seeing the Big Picture


• Making Effective Decisions


• Communicating and Influencing, Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.


Any move to the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero 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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

DESNZ does not normally offer full home working (i.e. working at home); but we do offer a variety of flexible working options (including occasionally working from home).

DESNZ cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign.

DESNZ holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.,
• UK nationals


• nationals of the Republic of Ireland


• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK


• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)


• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)


• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020


• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
  
  The candidate will have good organisational skills and the ability to own a range of different portfolios. The ability to handle priorities and workload is important as the team often has a busy travel schedule. Programme management is highly desirable but not essential and opportunities will be available to develop those skills. Good financial management and experience of working within internal corporate structures will help in navigating some aspects of the role. Good interpersonal skills and confidence are desirable as much of the role is outward facing and requires the job holder to quickly develop relationships with key partners within and outside of government.


DV clearance is desirable but not essential for the role and the successful candidate will be asked to go through the DV process once in post. The successful candidate will be able to undertake the job with SC clearance.

Do you want a career where you can make a real difference? Do you want to work in a government department that is at the forefront of current policy making decisions that will impact the UK and beyond? If yes then a career at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) could be for you.

Here at DESNZ we are securing the UK's long-term energy supply, bringing down energy bills and halving inflation. We are seizing the opportunities of Net Zero to lead the world in new green industries and encouraging greater energy efficiency across the UK. The work of the department has never been more timely or relevant, and by joining us you will be part of making that difference.

Our work is varied, interesting and most importantly it's impactful. Our DESNZ Values are interwoven into everything we do; we are Bold, we are Collaborative, we are Inclusive and we Learn. As a department we are committed to these values to build a culture where everyone can thrive.

We offer great working benefits including a world-class pension, flexible working options and a career where your learning and development is taken seriously. We are enormously proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support candidates with adjustments throughout our recruitment process. Information about disability confidence and just some examples of the adjustments that you can request can be found in the reasonable adjustment section below.

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 and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.

Alongside your salary of £33,635, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero contributes £9,081 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero offers a competitive mix of benefits including:

• A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours.


• Automatic enrolment into the Civil Service Pension Scheme, with an average employer contribution of 27%.


• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.


• An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue.


• Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.