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

For internal candidates currently on RWM T&C's, the RWM grade equivalent for this role is 5-4