Independent Assurance Manager (System Engineering

Job Purpose - (Internal job title is 'Independent Assessment Manager')

The purpose of the Independent Assurance team is to provide objective assurance to the NWS Board and Executive on the extent to which health, safety, security and environmental obligations are being met now, will be met in future, and on the overall standard of safety, security and environmental performance.

The purpose of this job is to manage and deliver effective and objective Independent Assessment (Third Line / Tier 3 review and critique, also known as Peer Review, Independent Assurance, INSA, etc. of design, requirements and safety (including environmental and security) cases and the processes for their production, implementation and maintenance. Development of design, requirements and safety cases are central to the overall justification and demonstration of nuclear, conventional, and environmental safety and security. The role involves providing constructive challenge and advice in support of both continuous improvement in safety, security and environmental performance, and regulatory compliance, inputting to proportionate and risk-based assurance to the NWS Executive and Board.

The Independent Assessment Manager is responsible for the development and delivery of Independent Assessment sub-programmes and is required to work in collaboration with the Independent Oversight (IO) and Independent Site Inspection parts of the Independent Assurance team to ensure cross functional alignment and support to the wider Independent Assurance Programme.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, deliver, and manage Independent Assessment of design, requirements and safety case development and products in line with the NWS programme. Scope Independent Assessment activities and determine the delivery team for each activity (including as necessary support from the supply chain, wider Independent Assurance staff, NWS and NDA colleagues, and joint working with regulators); monitor, manage and support the team in delivering these activities; ensure the Independent Assessment activities are carried out and reported to an appropriate standard.


• Present and discuss formal Key Findings and informal advice with those responsible for the work Independent Assessment is provided of, to support understanding; support address of the findings; and continuous improvement.


• Work in collaboration with document owners to ensure Independent Assessment findings are appropriately addressed. To sentence, communicate and review responses to findings. To collaborate with document owners to iterate and reconcile findings to a mutually satisfactory conclusion, where this is not possible, to escalate, produce the case for compelling advice or recommend further intervention by the Independent Assurance function.


• Analyse formal Key Findings, informal advice and 'soft signals' to identify themes and trends indicated by Independent Assessment. Contribute to similar analysis of overall NWS Independent Assurance activities.


• To influence NWS improvements in response to Independent Assurance findings and provide inputs to assurance reports to the NWS Board and Executive on EHSS&Q performance.


• Develop and maintain relationships with those responsible for the work Independent Assessment is provided of, to provide a strong basis for: awareness to inform the Independent Assessment programme; successful delivery of Independent Assessment activities; understanding and addressing Key Findings and informal advice in support of continuous improvement.


• Support delivery of the wider Independent Assurance Programme, this may include the review of deliverables managed by colleagues within the wider Independent Assurance Team.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential

• Experience of systems engineering and requirements management AND / OR experience of nuclear Safety Case production.


• Good first degree in Science or Engineering subject.


• Understanding of good practice in Independent Assessment including the requirements of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR, Nuclear Site Licence Condition 14, supporting guidance (INSP-GD-014), Technical Assessment Guide (TAG) 080 and relevant Safety Directors' Forum (SDF) Good Practice Guides.


• Strong interpersonal, communication (written and verbal), and influencing skills, the ability to work with a range of staff at all levels.


• Resilience, and proven ability to behave professionally in challenging circumstances to ensure independence of the role is not compromised.


• Can manage own performance, time, and workload effectively. Has the ability to prioritise their own workload and meet deadlines whilst acting responsibly for their own health and wellbeing

RWM T&Cs the level of this role is RWM 5-4

Responsibilities



Plan, develop, deliver, and manage Independent Assessment of GDF design, requirements and safety case development and products in line with the GDF programme. Scope Independent Assessment activities and determine the delivery team for each activity (including as necessary support from the supply chain, wider Independent Assurance staff, NWS and NDA colleagues, and joint working with regulators); monitor, manage and support the team in delivering these activities; ensure the Independent Assessment activities are carried out and reported to an appropriate standard.



Present and discuss formal Key Findings and informal advice with those responsible for the work Independent Assessment is provided of, to support understanding; support address of the findings; and continuous improvement.



Work in collaboration with document owners to ensure Independent Assessment findings are appropriately addressed. To sentence, communicate and review responses to findings. To collaborate with document owners to iterate and reconcile findings to a mutually satisfactory conclusion, where this is not possible, to escalate, produce the case for compelling advice or recommend further intervention by the Independent Assurance function.



Analyse formal Key Findings, informal advice and 'soft signals' to identify themes and trends indicated by Independent Assessment. Contribute to similar analysis of overall NWS Independent Assurance activities.



To influence NWS improvements in response to Independent Assurance findings and provide inputs to assurance reports to the NWS Board and Executive on EHSS&Q performance.



Develop and maintain relationships with those responsible for the work Independent Assessment is provided of, to provide a strong basis for: awareness to inform the Independent Assessment programme; successful delivery of Independent Assessment activities; understanding and addressing Key Findings and informal advice in support of continuous improvement.



Support delivery of the wider Independent Assurance Programme, this may include the review of deliverables managed by colleagues within the wider Independent Assurance Team.



Knowledge, Skills and Experience



Essential

• Experience of systems engineering and requirements management AND / OR experience of nuclear Safety Case production.


• Good first degree in Science or Engineering subject.


• Understanding of good practice in Independent Assessment including the requirements of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR, Nuclear Site Licence Condition 14, supporting guidance (INSP-GD-014), Technical Assessment Guide (TAG) 080 and relevant Safety Directors' Forum (SDF) Good Practice Guides.


• Strong interpersonal, communication (written and verbal), and influencing skills, the ability to work with a range of staff at all levels.


• Resilience, and proven ability to behave professionally in challenging circumstances to ensure independence of the role is not compromised.


• Can manage own performance, time, and workload effectively. Has the ability to prioritise their own workload and meet deadlines whilst acting responsibly for their own health and wellbeing.

RWM 5-4 / LLWR 4A

Who are we?



Simply put, our job is to secure a safer future for us all. We do this by managing and disposing of the UK's nuclear radioactive waste safely and securely for generations to come. We have a critical role in the biggest multi-decade clean-up project in Europe. As part of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group, we provide permanent answers for nuclear waste.



Nuclear Waste Services builds on the work delivered at the Low-Level Waste Repository (LLWR) site and the Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) programme, maintaining these key activities whilst also adding further essential services for customers in the nuclear energy, defence, industrial, medical, and research sectors. Maintaining and developing this knowledge and experience is key to securing and developing our unique nuclear waste capabilities for the UK and the rest of the world



If you join Nuclear Waste Services, you'll be part of a team that brings together some of the most brilliant minds from around the UK, working across many specialisms - scientific, engineering, safety, operations, commercial, community engagement, and regulatory - to name a few.



We want Nuclear Waste Services to be a great place​ to work where people are respected, included and can perform at their best. We do this by living our Nuclear Waste Services values;





We are action orientated ​​​​​​​- We deliver for our customers, partners, and people safely & securely.



We are collaborative and inclusive - We have greater success when we work together.



We are ambitious - We are problem solvers who embrace and act upon new challenges.​​​​​



We act with integrity - We are trusted to build a safe, secure and sustainable future

Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) is a joint trading name of LLW Repository Limited and Radioactive Waste Management Limited.



This role will be employed by LLW Repository Limited unless the successful candidate is currently on Radioactive Waste Management Limited terms and conditions. In this situation the employee will continue on their current terms and conditions.



NDA group appointments: the NDA Group Mobility Principles will apply.What's in it for you?

• On appointment to NWS you will receive 25.5 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and you can accrue up to 13 extra days leave


• Rewarding performance (annual bonus scheme)


• We offer a generous pension scheme through CNNP


• learning and development support


• payment of relevant annual professional subscriptions


• Employee Assistance Programme


• Financial advice assistance


• Flexible working


• Extended family-friendly policies


• Cycle to work scheme


• We welcome flexible and agile working practices


• Flexible working requests can be submitted from day 1 of employment

Equal Opportunities



We value the unique differences that each of our colleagues bring to work every day and are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected, included and able to perform at their best. At Nuclear Waste Service we are committed to creating a workplace that is diverse and inclusive. We value the diversity of our people and actively seek to have a workforce that represents the rich diversity of the communities we support. Currently we are underrepresented in some areas, and would particularly welcome applicants from Women, Black, Asian and Ethnic Minorities, LGBTQ+ and candidates who have a disability.



In promoting equal opportunities, Nuclear Waste Service welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We select people according to their abilities and our needs. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet all of the essential criteria for the vacancy.



Please note: Nuclear Waste Services reserves the right to close the vacancy early.



If you have any queries or would like to discuss this role, please email