Band 2 Safeguards Subject Matter Expert

**Job Purpose**

**Background**

The Office for Nuclear Regulation is the UK’s independent nuclear regulator, with the legal authority to regulate nuclear safety, security and conventional health and safety at 35 licensed nuclear sites in Great Britain (GB). This includes the existing fleet of operating reactors, fuel cycle facilities, waste management and decommissioning sites, as well as licensed defence sites, together with the regulation of the design and construction of new nuclear facilities.

ONR also regulates the transport of nuclear and radioactive materials by road, rail and inland waterways, and as of January 2021 operates the UK’s State System of Accounting for and Control of Nuclear Materials (SSAC) and a domestic safeguards regime.

As part of its 2025 strategy ONR is committed to being a modern and transparent regulator, delivering trusted outcomes and value. We are making substantial investments in new digital technologies and skills to enhance our regulatory processes and management of information.

The Safeguards Subject Matter Expert (SME) will report to the Professional Lead (PL) who is responsible for leading the Safeguards Specialism from a technical perspective by driving the development of technical capability and ensuring the development of technical standards. This will include support to the development and ongoing maintenance of the Safeguards Information Management and Reporting System (SIMRS). The SME will also support the PL, the Safeguards Delivery Lead (DL), and the Civil Nuclear Security and Safeguards (CNSS) and Technical Division (TD) directors in managing the resources of the Safeguards Specialism as part of the leadership of ONR. This will include planning and forecasting of resource requirements according to Safeguards Sub-Division, CNSS and ONR needs.

**About The Role**

**Principal Responsibilities**

External Engagement/Representation

Use nationally and internationally recognised safeguards knowledge, expertise and credibility to:

- work with external domestic stakeholders (e.g., operators, HMG, the public) to represent ONR in developing UK safeguards good practice and standards, and promote the role and activities of the SSAC
- coordinate provision of safeguards input to consolidated ONR advice on safeguards expectations for the deployment of new nuclear technologies (e.g., advanced nuclear reactor technologies) and longer-term development of the UK nuclear fuel cycle (eg management of civil plutonium stocks, the UK Geological Disposal Facility etc.)
- work with external international stakeholders (e.g., the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), European Safeguards Research and Development Association (ESARDA), Nuclear Cooperation Agreement Group (NCAG) and Euratom) to represent ONR and the UK in:

- negotiations and other engagement related to meeting the UK’s international safeguards obligations
- supporting the continued development of the international safeguards regime, and
- promoting the role and activities of the UK SSAC.

Development and Implementation of the UK Safeguards Regulatory Regime
- work with the PL and DL to develop and promulgate technical and regulatory professional standards for the Safeguards Specialism in ONR’s role as the safeguards regulator for the UK. This includes a central role in the review and technical sign-off of the associated guidance on safeguards assessment and inspection
- provide safeguards expertise and advice and input on technical safeguards matters to support implementation of the UK safeguards regime (e.g., including the content of specialist guidance and the ongoing development and maintenance of the UKs nuclear material accountancy system
- work with the Safeguards Delivery Lead and Inspection and Assessment Lead to support the development and promotion of arrangements and processes so that future ONR assessment of compliance with UK safeguards regulations makes full use of information from and interventions by ONR for its other regulatory purposes
- develop arrangements for consolidated assessment by ONR of operator compliance with UK safeguards regulations that make best use of alignment with those elsewhere in ONR (and demonstrate the overall effectiveness of the domestic safeguards regime)
- ensure appropriate account is taken of incidents and events relevant to the nuclear materials accountancy and control (UK and international) in regulatory strategies and technical standards for UK safeguards implementation
- Work constructively with the Safeguards PL, DL and other members of the Safeguards lead team in developing appropriate resilience through the development of staff in safeguards specialist knowledge and experience
- complete ONR training and portfolio development to obtain a full inspector warrant
- Leading and supporting the delivery of frontline regulatory activities under the leadership of the safeguards Inspection & Assessment and Accountancy & Reporting leads where necessary.

Capabili