Internal Vacancies

The successful candidate for this role will be placed on an ICH.

If you have any queries regarding the position itself please contact Des Wright.

Please be aware that all new appointments will be made in-line with the PLC ‘New’ terms & conditions. Therefore, if you are not already on PLC ‘New’ terms & conditions and you are selected and accept this role, there will be changes made to your contractual terms. The terms and conditions of the role will be made clear in the offer letter. 

If you have any queries about the impact of applying for this role on your terms & conditions, pay, pension or benefits, please contact the HR Support Team.

Job Description for Head of Independent Assurance:

There’s never been a more exciting time to be part of the nuclear sector. New opportunities are being created all the time. At UKNNL, 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 UKNNL, anything is possible.

To lead and implement UKNNL-wide independent assurance / internal regulation. 

To give assurance to key stakeholders including the Board and the Executive- of UKNNL’s regulatory compliance, management of risks and implementation of policies.

The location for this role is flexible and can be based at Sellafield or Preston.

Main Responsibilities for Head of Independent Assurance:

• Development of company strategy and standards, policy and procedures for how all aspects of assurance is carried out across UKNNL.  
• Thought leadership and ownership of the UKNNL assurance framework – ensuring it follows regulatory expectations and relevant industry good practice including nuclear assurance and broader, risk-based and corporate assurance, derived from national and internal best practice bodies such as WANO, IAEA and IIA.
• Provision of assurance on the robustness of risk management across UKNNL and governance processes to the Executive and Board.
• Full accountability for the quality and accuracy of the outputs of the Independent Assurance Function.
• Accountability for the provision of independent internal regulation function though assurance activities, utilising suitable internal and external expertise where needed (principally, Internal Regulators).  Ensuring the following activities are undertaken to the required standard by the Internal regulator within the function: 
• Preparation and implementation of the assurance programme, including engagement with stakeholders, ensuring that it meets best practice of internal assurance and regulation within the nuclear industry.
• Independent 3rd line assurance activities of all types.
• Working closely with, and influencing, all areas of the business to promote and monitor effective line-level (2nd-line) functional assurance.
• As part of flexible permissioning, providing readiness and concurrence against the release of regulatory hold points.
• Development of external links to seek out relevant good practice.
• Maintaining an understanding of UKNNL’s operations and how they relate to the UKNNL mission, particularly in relation to those within their topic area, to provide a firm basis for interventions.
• Use of recognised industry tools and techniques in the execution of interventions – all aligned to the IOWG good practice guide and other relevant national and international standards.  
• Provision of training, guidance and mentoring of assurance resources and leaders and managers to ensure they are suitably upskilled in assurance practice and standards.
• Leading and influencing the development of an assurance culture across the business, in line with industry and other external best practice and regulatory expectations.
• Direct, regular contact with Executive and the Board (principally through Non-Executive Director Chairs of Board committees) including the provision of verbal and written assurance reports on a regular basis, covering assurance against management of all UKNNL risks.  These reports are principally given to the Board ARAC and EHSSC as well as the Executive. 
• Directly influencing and challenging leaders at Executive and senior lead level on a 1:1 basis, in regular meetings and through feedback of intervention findings.  This formal challenge can include decision making and behaviours that can affect regulatory compliance and risk management.
• Direct interface with regulators as part of the overall challenge of UKNNL performance.  Supporting and encouraging joint UKNNL/regulator inspections and interventions.
• Driving continual improvement, including the use of external benchmarking exercises and ensuring strategies, policies and standards take account of national and international good practice in assurance and independent oversight / internal regulation.
• Exercising formally mandated direct escalation route either to CEO or Board where concerns merit this course of action.
• Financial control within IA – cost centre manager.
• Representing UKNNL on appropriate expert groups that develop policy and industry guidance – principally the Independent Oversight Working Group (IOWG), a subgroup of the Nuclear Safety Directors’ Forum (SDF).  Undertaking/leading cross-industry peer assist reviews as part of the work of this group

Essential Criteria for Head of Independent Assurance:

• Graduate or equivalent in a relevant topic. This can include, but is not limited to, science and engineering.
• The postholder will have demonstrable senior experience of working within a highly regulated (ideally nuclear)  industry.
• Ability to obtain SC level security clearance (this includes but is not limited to identity, employment, financial and criminal record checks plus 5 years’ worth of UK residency).