Independent Nuclear Assessor - Hinkley 'C'

Role: Independent Nuclear Assessor /  Nuclear Oversight Assessor - Hinkley Point ‘C’ project

Location: Aztec West, Bristol (BS32 9AH) 2 days/week with the rest worked from home

Salary: Highly competitive + excellent benefits including 5% bonus, 10% client pension contribution (rising to 15% after 2 years), private healthcare and 28 days holiday (30 days after 5 years). Travel / relocation assistance will also be considered dependant on personal circumstances.

Type: Permanent with excellent long-term career development and advancement opportunities, initially on Hinkley ‘C’ and subsequently on Sizewell ‘C’ 

Start: June 2024 onwards (long notice-period would be accepted)

Our client, EDF, is looking for an experienced nuclear industry professional with nuclear operational experience and a strong engineering background to take on the role of Independent Nuclear Assessor / Nuclear Oversight Assessor in support of their £30+ bn Hinkley Point ‘C’ nuclear power station construction project.

The Independent Assessor will play a key role in the set uo of the HPC engineering organisation. They will be responsible for monitoring management system practices and processes adopted for the HPC project, in line with best UK and international practice, with a focus of improving organisation and processes and maintaining a nuclear safety overview of the project. They will conduct assessments, in accordance with regulatory and/or internal enterprise requirements, and provide independent review and challenge of Nuclear Safety performance, using different complementary techniques and feedback findings directly to the concerned functions and to the Senior Management Team through the Safety and Assurance Director, providing an independent perspective of the operational performance of EDF’s programs, processes and procedures. In addiiton, the Independent Assessor will play a key role in helping prepare the HPC site for the initial WANO / INPO start-up inspection.

This position thus requires an experienced specialist with a strong understanding of highly complex / highly technical projects, and of the UK regulatory regime who can communicate at all levels in the organisation and be able to demonstrate high ethical behaviour, integrity and character. The ability to influence senior managers is essential and experience in a nuclear organisation is a significant advantage. Previous participation in WANO / INPO peer reviews would also be highly advantageous.

This will be a hybrid role based at EDF’s Aztec West office in North West Bristol close to the M4 / M5 junction (BS32 9AH) 2 days/week, with the rest worked from home. Occasional travel to other EDF offices in Bridgwater, Gloucester and London, as well as the HPC will also be required.

Principal Accountabilities

The post holder is accountable to the Independent Assessment Manager to:

• Provide assessment and challenge of business and project processes and practices, 
• Record and report any findings through the IA manager to the Head of Independent Nuclear Regulation and Safety and Regulation Director.
• Generate insights to facilitate continuous improvement to help ensure that the project operates to national and international, INPO and WANO best practices and UK and French experience.
• Present an independent view on project processes, practices and governance to external Regulators and internal committees such as the Nuclear Safety Committee.
• Support other teams in the Assurance function as follows:
• The Supply Chain Inspection branch who perform surveillance activities on the supply chain and internal supply chain processes.
• The Independent Site Inspection branch who conduct site surveillances and compliance checks
• Independent Technical Assessment (ITA) branch who provide design and safety case assurance.
• Assimilate and analyse the outputs from various sources (including assessments, audits, organisational learning events, regulatory inspections, etc.)   to provide a high level view of the effectiveness of organisational processes, and adherence to the licence conditions, and escalate any issues as appropriate.
• Develop relationships and networks to understand the project plans and activities within area of expertise, in order to ensure that Independent Assessment is scheduled into the plans with adequate time.

Scope of Role

The Independent Assurance (IA) team is a branch within INR whose purpose is to provide independent review and challenge to the HPC project, using different complementary techniques and feeding back findings directly to the concerned functions and to Senior Management Team. The main objective is to ensure the robustness of the organisation and its compliance with Regulations, International standards and internal policies in the areas of Nuclear Safety, Environment, Health and Safety, Security and Quality. The IA team reports to the senior management team through the Head of Assurance to the Safety and Assurance Director. 

Carrying out this role will require liaison with corporate and contract specialists both in NNB GenCo at the working level and within the UK Nuclear and Environmental regulators. The Independent Assessor will use their insights from Assessment activities to identify valuable business improvements and guide the future Assurance Assessment programme. They must be able to influence Directors and Senior Managers. The role holder will be part of a pool of Independent Assessors assigned ownership for different elements of the overall assurance programme. Independent Assessors are assigned activities aligned to their relevant specialist knowledge and experience (e.g. Nuclear Safety, Industrial Safety, Environmental, Security or Quality). They are accountable for using their expertise to recommend risk areas to be explored as part of the independent assessment scope, for sign off by the IA manager. Once the Independent Assessment scope is agreed, the Independent Assessor will work independently to conduct the assessment, formulate findings and present recommendations to the Director or Head of the function being assessed. The IA manager provides review and coaching on presentation and development of recommendations and where needed provides support for delivering results with more difficult messages.

Key Knowledge, Skills Qualifications and Experience

• Degree qualified in an engineering or science related discipline or possessing a demonstrated level of experience to perform the role
• Significant experience or specialist subject matter expert knowledge in key nuclear process areas such as Radioactive Protection and Emergency Preparedness, Nuclear Safety Design and Safety Case Management, Plant Operations (Reactor Operator Licence preferred), Outage and Work Management, Nuclear Security.
• Self-starter with strong organisational skills and the ability to lead teams in assessment activities
• Excellent presentation and communication skills - able to create confidence through crafting of strong justifications and arguments and tailor messages to suit the audience
• Experience in highly complex / highly technical projects, understanding of the interfaces across the many contributors such projects require
• Ability to influence at all levels within a diverse project organisation
• Knowledge of Health and Safety legislation including CDM, Nuclear Site Licence, and Environmental Permits
• Ability to innovate, think laterally and implement processes
• Strong understanding and practical experience of quality arrangements required in UK regulated environment
• Experience of Nuclear Safety, Health & Safety, Environmental or Security assessment and auditing
• Expert knowledge of the role of internal and external standards and procedure
• Experience of working within an independent oversight or audit capacity would be desirable
• Previous participation in WANO / INPO peer reviews would be highly advantageous

For the right candidate, our client can offer a highly competitive salary and very attractive benefits package, combined with the opportunity to work in a key role on one of the world’s largest and most prestigious projects which offers outstanding long-term job security and future career opportunities.

MORSON INTERNATIONAL, part of the Morson Group, are the leading TECHNICAL & ENGINEERING RECRUITMENT COMPANY in the UK specialising in Technical Support to the following industries: Nuclear, Power Generation, Aerospace, Rail, Marine, Petrochemical & Construction