Internal Regulator – Nuclear Security

Job Introduction

Job Description for the Internal Regulator – Nuclear Security:

There’s never been a more exciting time to be part of the nuclear sector. New opportunities are being created all the time. At NNL, you’ll be in the ideal place to capitalise on this momentum, face new challenges and develop a long, successful and meaningful career.

We’re an organisation that’s here to experiment and push the limits of what’s possible. So, if you’re keen to excel in your chosen field, this is the place to do it. Because at NNL, anything is possible.

To independently assure Nuclear Security across NNL and to provide assurance to the NNL Board and Executive Leadership Team on NNL’s level of compliance with security statutory requirements/policy and/or compliance with SyAPs and regulatory requirements. This assurance will be based on extensive and thorough knowledge and experience of regulatory requirements and NNL’s operations. This will be done by carrying out 3rd line oversight of the 1st and 2nd line assurance activities implemented by NNL and will include critical evaluation, robust well-underpinned challenge, scrutiny and appraisal of the efficiency and effectiveness of any processes, projects, operations or functions through a programmed regime of interventions, along with communication of the outcome of this work at the Board, Executive and senior leadership levels of NNL. Additionally, it will enable strategic and tactical decision making on future improvements and strategies within the nuclear security topic area in order to protect NNL’s mission and vision. 

The location is flexible and can be based in Sellafield, Workington, Preston and Risley. Sellafield would be preferred location and there is the opportunity for hybrid working. The successful candidate will be required to have a regular presence on NNL nuclear and other high hazard facilities (Sellafield, Preston and Workington) as part of the pan NNL role in order to carry out assurance work.

Role Responsibility

Main responsibilities for the Internal Regulator – Nuclear Security:

• Providing underpinned assurance to the NNL Board and Executive Leadership Team on NNL’s level of compliance with security legislative requirements/policy and/or SyAPs and regulatory requirements.
• Communication of the outputs of this assurance at the highest levels in NNL in order to create impactful change, uphold high standards and drive for improvements in line with NNL’s ambitions as a credible nuclear operator, and risk appetite.
• Developing strategy and standards, policy and procedures for how assurance in respect of the topic is carried out within NNL, based on best practice nationally and internationally. 
• Taking clear, timely action through the issuing of notices of concern, compelling advice or sanction in situations where there is a significant shortfall or potential for a breach of compliance with legislation.
• Preparation, communication, implementation and review of the assurance programme ensuring that it meets best practice of internal assurance and regulation within the nuclear industry.
• Provision of strategic advice to NNL operations and projects based on extensive and thorough knowledge and experience of regulatory requirements and current regulatory approach.
• Maintaining strategic relationships with the external regulator (Office for Nuclear Regulation – ONR) and external stakeholders (site licensee representatives and internal regulators). 
• Providing concurrence with key company decisions within the security topic area.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential criteria for the Internal Regulator – Nuclear Security:

• Graduate or equivalent in scientific/engineering discipline. The candidate should be a member of a professional institution relevant to the role such as the Security Institute. 
• Security credibility.  Sufficient experience that would command respect and recognition at the highest internal levels as well as in the wider industry/external.
• Experience of working in a high hazard industry in a number of highly responsible operational / assurance roles. This can include, but is not limited to, security management, operational management, compliance management with significant experience of working in this environment.
• Extensive knowledge of legislative requirements deriving from high hazard operations – e.g., nuclear site security plans.
• Experience of successfully influencing senior stakeholders.
• Ability to obtain DV level security clearance (this includes but is not limited to identity, employment, financial, criminal record checks, interview plus 10 years of UK residency).

Desirable Criteria for the Internal Regulator - Nuclear Security:

• Previous experience of working as either an external or internal regulator.
• Chartered Membership/fellowship of a security professional institution.
• Experience of applying risk management principles to assurance.

About the Company

NNL is an incredible place to work, a place where people do things that have never been done before A place where people push boundaries to further themselves, the business, and society as a whole.

This is a place where personal and professional opportunities are limitless. If you want to change the world, if you want to tackle climate change, if you want to help advance medical science, if you want to help put things in space, if you want to answer the big questions, if you want to work with extraordinary materials, if you want to meet great people, learn new skills, challenge yourself, work flexibly, and build a long successful career with the power to make a real impact… you can do it all here.

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.

United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory