HEO Policy Advisor: Nuclear Justification Newcastle upon Tyne, England
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About the job
Job summary
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink.
Under The Justification of Practices Involving Ionising Radiation Regulations 2004, Defra has the role as the Justifying Authority for new nuclear technology. We are recruiting a policy advisor for a new nuclear justification team. This will be a small team receiving industry applications for commercial roll-out of nuclear power; an interesting, high profile work area right at the heart of government policy.
Encouraging diverse applicants
We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.
We also encourage flexible working arrangements, including compressed hours.
Job description
The UK Government is putting nuclear energy at the centre of its strategy to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, alongside renewables. With the lowest lifecycle footprint of all energy sources, the Government has committed to continuing the development of large and small-scale reactors.
This is an opportunity to be involved in the exciting game-changing potential of nuclear power and other emerging technologies contributing to the Government’s ambition to provide long-term, carbon neutral solutions to power homes and businesses for generations to come.
Within the Environmental Quality directorate, you will report to the SEO in the Nuclear Justification Team, a small team with one Team Leader, one SEO and you, with the potential to expand in the future.
You will have responsibility for responding to applications made under The Justification of Practices Involving Ionising Radiation Regulations 2004. Working within a highly regulated, high-profile environment, your role will include:
- supporting the SEO to commission expert advice from a wide range of regulators, scientific and technical colleagues on emerging nuclear technologies which will inform advice sent to the Secretary of State on whether an application to move to commercial production is to be ‘justified’.
- working with applicants from the nuclear energy and the fusion power industry as they progress through the application process.
- helping to set up a Justification Liaison Group to engage devolved administrations and relevant OGDs in the progress of nuclear technologies.
- running public consultations likely attracting a high level of public and NGO interest, working with lawyers, drafting submissions and analysing complex information to make decisions.
- feeding into briefings for Ministers on this policy area, drafting relevant correspondence, and Parliamentary Questions.
Person specification
- Experience of working confidently on various aspects of the policy and legislative cycles including supporting the delivery of key policy outcomes
- Experience using analysis and information to develop and assess options for decision makers, drawing on expertise from others as required
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Evidence of working with varied teams or colleagues to deliver common goals
- Good strategic judgement to identify tensions and links between different areas of work and recognise where your work fits with wider organisational objectives
- Excellent task management and prioritisation
- Ability to work at pace to deliver with competing deadlines
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
Benefits
- 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%
Blended working
Defra operates a blended working policy subject to business need, giving people the flexibility to choose when and where they work and collaborate with others.
Individuals are expected to work from one of the office locations stated in the advert to connect with their colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs. There is flexibility to split the working week, spending minimum of 40-60% in the workplace, unless exceptional circumstances apply and/or you are a contractual home worker.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement and behaviour statements.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Sift
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Delivering at Pace. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
The sift is likely to take place mid to late April and interviews are expected to take place early May. Dates are subject to potential change.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on behaviours, strengths and experience. Interviews will be conducted remotely via MS Teams.
A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.
Location
Please be aware that this role will be contractually based in a Defra group workplace/office. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.
Candidates applying for these roles will be based at one of the Defra hubs as advertised.
For information, our core Defra hub locations are:
- York – the Kings Pool;
- Newcastle – Lancaster House;
- Bristol – Horizon House (Please note that space at this office is limited and it may not be possible for all Policy roles to be recruited to this location);
- London – Nobel House and 2 Marsham Street.
If you are successful in your application and your base working location is London, please be aware that Defra’s Nobel House Office at 17 Smith Square, London will be closing in December 2023.
This means that Defra new joiners will be located alongside existing colleagues in offices a short distance away from Nobel House in our other office at 2 Marsham St, London.
To work from 2 Marsham Street, you will require the higher level of CTC clearance. Therefore, confirmation of appointment to the advertised post will be dependent upon successful CTC clearance being confirmed as part of pre-employment checks.
Internal (core Defra) employees can apply for this role and choose to remain in their current location or to be based in one of the advertised locations.
All other applicants will be based in one of the advertised locations.
Defra continues to support a blended working model and candidates are currently expected to attend their office base for 40-60% of the week.
Travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to a base office location.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Merit Lists
Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be posted in merit order by location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.
Salary
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Internal Fraud Database Check
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offenses. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
- Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Criminal Record Check
If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing
[email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Loan and Fixed Term Appointments
Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
This is a Fixed-term Appointment as a Higher Executive Officer on the Nuclear Justification Team.
The post is not permanent. It is time limited due to a fixed funding period as part of a specific project. The fixed term will end when the funding or the project expires. However there is potential for permanency.
Your responsibilities will include supporting the team to handle nuclear justification applications.
This post will therefore begin from candidate’s start date and end after 24 months.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Higher Security Clearance
All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to London may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.
Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team :
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission:
Click here to visit Civil Service Commission
