Operations Performance Improvement graduate Scheme 2022

nucleargraduates is on a mission to create a diverse pipeline of future talent for the nuclear industry.

Whether your passion lies within science, engineering or business, the nucleargraduates programme will ensure that during your two years with us, you will gain an invaluable insight into the nuclear sector, taking on challenges and having the opportunity to make a real difference.

The sponsoring organisation for this opportunity is the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). Upon completion of the two year programme you will take up a substantive role within the NDA group.

The Sponsoring Organisations

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is a non-departmental public body created through the Energy Act 2004. We employ just over 200 staff and have offices in Cumbria, Caithness, Cheshire, London and Oxfordshire. We own 17 sites across England, Wales and Scotland, some dating back to the 1940s, plus the associated liabilities and assets. We report to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS); for some aspects of our work in Scotland, we are responsible to Scottish ministers. Our role is strategic: we establish the overall approach, allocate budgets, set targets and monitor progress. We do not have a hands-on role in cleaning up our facilities. Instead, we deliver our mission through others, primarily 12 businesses.

The mission of the NDA group is “To clean up the UK’s earliest nuclear sites safely, securely and cost effectively with care for people and the environment”

We are responsible for:

• decommissioning and cleaning up these nuclear facilities
• ensuring that all waste products, both radioactive and non-radioactive, are safely managed
• implementing policy on the long-term management of nuclear waste
• developing UK-wide strategy and plans for nuclear Low Level Waste (LLW)
• scrutinising the decommissioning plans of EDF Energy, who own the operating fleet of Advanced Gas Cooled Reactor (AGR) nuclear power stations

We know that great leadership is key to creating the right environment so our people can perform at their best to deliver our mission. Our Leadership Standard comprises four lenses of leadership:

• Create the future
• Safely deliver results
• Inspire our people
• Collaborate to unlock potential

All leaders need to divide their time between delivering priorities and results today, whilst also focusing on future direction with the requisite people and teams in place.

Our leaders are able to lead with the best of themselves. They are self-aware, pay attention to the impact they have on others, and recognise their own development needs. They honour their own well-being to maintain their energy and effectiveness in our challenging environment.

The NDA values 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. We are committed to creating a workplace that is diverse and inclusive.

The Role of an Operations Performance and Improvement (OPI) Graduate

As a team we are involved in transforming delivery of our mission through Research, Development and Innovation. This includes ensuring we know what our challenges are and the potential solutions we and others can develop. Technical assurance, or mapping our challenges and understanding that the solutions will work when they are deployed, is an essential part of our work. Sharing our progress in accessible ways is also important.

Placement would involve:

• Technical baselines and technical assurance: scope and deliver a new accessible NDA technical roadmap approach and baseline report (provides an overview of the technology challenges across the site), engaging with stakeholders and accessing good practices
• Using the data sets we have on decommissioning technology challenges to shape the priorities for our innovation portfolio and then support measuring the benefits achieved
• Opportunity to scope, compete and manage R&D work via our strategic portfolio and work with our communications team on sharing our progress

The Programme

nucleargraduates is a vibrant, industry led graduate development programme featuring:

• Opportunities to collaborate with leading experts across a diverse industry on projects that have real impact
• Three secondments across the nuclear sector (with the possibility of an international secondment) providing opportunities to explore a range of careers across the industry
• Technical knowledge and professional development opportunities structured against the requirements of the relevant institutes or professional bodies
• A corporate social responsibility programme which will include sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm with the next generation of industry professionals
• Behavioural skills development opportunities

Candidate Profile

The nucleargraduates programme gives you:

• A dedicated team of experts to support your development and progress throughout your programme
• A sponsor company lead to provide you with day-to-day support during your programmes and with your secondments
• Access to the alumni graduate community enabling you to learn from other experiences and community of practice. A dedicated mentor, assigned to you upon starting the programme who will stay with you throughout your nucleargraduates journey
• Opportunities to develop entrepreneurial skills
• Allocated budgets to assist you with training, resources, and conferences as well as travel & subsistence
• A competitive graduate starting salary
• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
• 6 discretionary days leave for study and relocation
• Contributory pension scheme
• Wellbeing and support services

And in return you will give the nucleargraduates programme:

• Your enthusiasm, knowledge and skills to inspire the generation and contribute to the future of our industry
• Creativity and collaboration
• Drive and determination
• Flexibility
• Willingness to get involved and try new things
• Resilience – we don’t expect you to be an expert from day one
• Integrity, being impartial, ethical and safe in everything you do
• Positivity and commitment to the mission, purpose and values of the nuclear sector
• Respect for others
• Efficiency

Start date: September / October 2022

Minimum Eligibility Requirement

• A minimum of a 2:2 in a relevant degree subject, achieved within the last 5 years
• Have the full right to work in the UK (please note we are unable to sponsor visas or accept those with a Graduate visa as candidates will be unable complete the full duration of the programme)

Security Requirements

Candidates will be subject to Office of Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS) Clearance Checks.

Travel Details

Applicants must be willing and able to travel and relocate to complete secondments and training whilst on the nucleargraduates programme.

Application Process

Candidates must complete the online application form by clicking “Apply Now”. Successful applicants will then be invited to complete an online Situational Strengths Assessment and a video interview followed by a one-day virtual assessment centre that will assess candidates across a range of competencies. After the selection process has been completed successful candidates will be made a formal offer on to the nucleargraduates programme.