nucleargraduates 2019 - Communications (Nuclear Decommissioning Authority)

nucleargraduates is a ground-breaking graduate programme created by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and sponsored by many well-respected organisations across the nuclear industry including Sellafield Ltd, Rolls-Royce, Jacobs and the Office for Nuclear Regulation amongst others

The two-year programme consists of three secondments chosen by you with the guidance of your mentor. You can expect to find yourself working with Government, on-site, with the private sector supply chain and regulatory authorities. There is also the possibility of undertaking an international secondment. A dedicated mentor, assigned to you upon starting the programme, will help you plan a two-year programme unique to you and your development goals setting you on the road to chartership.

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is a non-departmental public body, created through the Energy Act 2004. Employing just over 200 staff, their headquarters are based in west Cumbria. The NDA own 17 sites across England, Wales and Scotland, some dating back to the 1940s, plus the associated liabilities and assets.

The NDA report to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS); for some aspects of their work in Scotland they are responsible to Scottish ministers. Their role is strategic, to establish the overall approach, allocate budgets, set targets and monitor progress. The NDA do not have a hands-on role in cleaning up facilities, they deliver their mission through others.

The NDA’s responsibilities include; the decommissioning and cleaning up of 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 in the UK and developing UK-wide strategy and plans for nuclear Low Level Waste (LLW). They are also responsible for scrutinising the decommissioning plans of EDF Energy, who own the operating fleet of Advanced Gas Cooled Reactor (AGR) nuclear power stations.

Working within the NDA Marketing and Communications team you will make key contributions to the project management of a number of statutory documents, liaising with a number of cross-functions teams and executive members. You will provide support for internal and external conferences and events and gain a valuable insight into the NDA and how it interacts with its businesses and stakeholders.

Your nucleargraduates programme will be broken down into technical and behavioural training. It will be structured against the needs of the institute with whom you’re aiming to gain chartered status. You will come together with your fellow graduates to complete ‘core’ training as well as having the benefit of an individual training budget for training specific to your personal development. 

On top of this you will spend 10% of your time with us to Footprints, our corporate social responsibility programme. You will have the opportunity to become a STEM ambassador, passing on your knowledge and enthusiasm to the next generation of scientists and engineers. You will establish a start-up company, developing your commercial awareness and allowing your appreciation of the challenges faced by a small business.  You will work with local community projects, meeting inspirational individuals.

This is a unique opportunity to experience the different aspects of our complex, ever-changing industry as you start your career.

nucleargraduates are looking for individuals keen to learn and able to influence others through their attitude and actions. Mobility, adaptability and tenacity are crucial for this role. Most importantly, we are looking for graduates who can achieve real results whilst showing humility as an individual and in a team environment. Applicants must be driven, able to manage their own time and take full advantage of the opportunities presented to them by the scheme. 

Candidates must have an attained or expected result of 2.2 in Marketing, Communications or a related discipline.

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

Applicants must be willing and able to move around the UK and overseas to complete secondments and training whilst on the nucleargraduates programme. Extensive travelling is required with relocation across the UK essential in order to complete secondments.

Upon receipt of initial application form all applicants will be invited to complete our online Situational Strengths Assessment, successful candidates will then be invited to complete a video interview then a two-day assessment centre that will assess candidates across a range of competencies. 

After the assessment centre, successful candidates will be made a formal offer of a place on the nucleargraduates programme.