Integrated Waste Management Strategy Graduate 2024

We’re the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group, delivering one of the world’s most important environmental programmes to decommission the UK’s earliest nuclear facilities.

Our group is responsible for 17 nuclear sites in all parts of the UK, together with specialist nuclear waste and international transport businesses. And our work is growing, with more facilities joining us to be decommissioned in the next decade.

Sustainability, safety, and security are at the heart of our long-term mission to prepare our sites for their next use, work which spans into the next century. 

As an NDA group graduate, you’ll get the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution towards the delivery of our nationally important mission. During our two-year graduate programme, you’ll take part in three placements in different parts of the NDA group. You’ll start with a 12-month placement, before completing two six-month opportunities. In exchange for your contribution, you’ll be supported at the end of the programme to secure a role in the NDA group.

We have a number of Integrated Waste Management Strategy graduate opportunities within Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, part of NDA group, for the initial 12-month secondment. Initially based in West Cumbria or Warrington.

Overview

Nuclear site operations and successful site decommissioning and remediation depend on the availability of a robust, sustainable waste management infrastructure. Effective waste management is an essential requirement for the delivery of our mission and is a significant part of our programme.

Our integrated waste management (IWM) principles inform the development and implementation of both radioactive and non-radioactive waste strategies within the NDA group. The strategy aims to optimise waste management and ensure that sustainable, effective and efficient management solutions are available at the right time, making best use of existing infrastructure and the development of new solutions when required. The strategy provides a high-level framework for flexible decision-making, to ensure safe, environmentally acceptable and cost-effective solutions that reflect the nature of the concerned.

The opportunity

This secondment offers graduates the opportunity to gain experience working on high value complex NDA strategy projects, through to implementation tasks within our operating companies where it’s expected that the graduate will spend some time. This could include Nuclear Waste Services (NWS), which operates the Low Level Waste Repository, manages the Geological Disposal Facility programme and leads the NDA’s IWM Programme.

At the NDA, the successful candidate will be given the task of supporting the next version of its Radioactive Waste Strategy where they will help to facilitate stakeholder engagement workshops, review the inputs of waste producers from across the UK and get involved in discussions with government colleagues. In addition, the graduate will learn about the waste management system and the use of tools and techniques that help to understand the required workstreams of the future. The work could also include the development of research proposals and take the lead in producing reports such as our IWM dashboard. 

Throughout your two-year journey on the NDA group graduate programme you will be employed by Energus whilst being supported by an industry leading sponsoring organisation. 

At the end of your two-year programme, you will be supported in securing a role with the NDA group.

Entry requirements

• A minimum of a 2:2 in a relevant degree subject, achieved within the last 5 years
• Candidates need to have the right to work for the duration of the 2 year programme. Any offers will be conditional upon satisfactory right to work checks
• Successful completion of security clearance checks
• Applicants must be willing and able to travel and relocate. Energus head office is based in Workington, Cumbria, however role locations will vary dependent on sponsor location.

Recruitment stages 

The recruitment and selection process consists of the following stages:

• Online application form - please complete all required sections of the application to ensure this is submitted successfully.
• Online assessments & videos - throughout your recruitment journey you will be invited to complete online assessments which may contain video elements.
• Assessment centre – these will be delivered face to face and will involve various activities, alongside insightful information around the nuclear industry and our programme.
• Offer - following our assessment centres, we aim to issue outcomes within two weeks. Successful candidates will begin their exciting journey as a NDA group graduate, working with our dedicated Energus People & Skills team to complete security paperwork ahead of starting the programme in September 2024.
• Onboarding - we welcome all our graduates ahead of the start date, through social media groups and welcome sessions, ensuring you are prepared, and any support required is in place, providing you with the best start to your exciting future as a NDA group graduate.

Face-to-face assessment centres will take place week commencing 3rd March 2024. If you are invited to an assessment centre and unable to attend, unfortunately you may be unable to complete the selection process.

We encourage you to regularly check emails (including any junk mail/spam folders) throughout the selection process, all correspondence including selection invitation will be sent via email.

Company Benefits

• Salary £30,000 per year
• £5,500 individual travel budget
• £3,500 flexible individual training budget
• £9,900 core training & development
• Access to three secondments to give you experience across the breadth of the UK nuclear sector
• A dedicated team of experts to support your development and progress throughout your time on the programme
• A sponsor company lead to provide you with day-to-day support during your programme and with your secondments
• A dedicated mentor, assigned to you upon starting the programme who will stay with you throughout your NDA group graduate journey
• A comprehensive, tailored programme of professional development
• The support of a dedicated NDA group graduate programme team throughout the two years of your graduate programme. As Mental Health First Aiders the team are fully equipped to assist you through your NDA group graduate journey
• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
• 6 discretionary days leave for study and relocation
• Energus contributory pension scheme
• Energus Employee Assistance Programme and DigiCare+
• EnergUS Extras, providing in-house news, wellbeing resources and employee discounts
• Membership of up to 2 professional institutions
• Access to an independent Employee Assistance Programme service offering a 24/7 support line
• Opportunity to participate in our Cycle2Work Scheme