Navy Command - Waste and Utilities Intelligent Customer

Job summary

At Navy Command, we lead, support, and sustain the Royal Navy across every theatre of operations. We coordinate the people, platforms, and missions that keep the Fleet ready for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities. Together, we uphold centuries of naval tradition while driving innovation that ensures the Royal Navy’s readiness to protect our nation and secure our future.

As the authority for the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarine capability, the Submarine Directorate oversees one of the most complex and critical elements of UK defence. Covering everything from in ‑ service management to long ‑ term fleet modernisation, the directorate ensures the Submarine Flotilla remains safe, reliable, and ready to meet national security requirements.

You'll be based at HMNB Devonport, the largest naval base in Western Europe and a powerhouse of Royal Navy capability. It is home to amphibious ships, survey squadrons, submarines, and two-thirds of the frigate force. With its unique nuclear refitting facility, Devonport ensures the Fleet remains ready to support operations worldwide.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

Are you a professional, dynamic individual ready to take on a challenging role supporting waterfront delivery? Do you have the drive to lead complex change and integrate critical capabilities across a major defence environment?

If so, we want you to join our vibrant, high-performing team to advance Alongside Services outcomes at HMNB Devonport.

What you will be doing:

• Act as the Intelligent Customer (IC) for utilities provision and waste management, delivering the required resources and technical expertise to efficiently oversee, monitor, and assess the performance of DRDL (Babcock) and other contractors, ensuring strict adherence to complex Defence contracts and legal requirements.
• Collaborate with the Alongside Services IC Lead to clearly define service delivery expectations for utility provision and waste management, aligning with NBC(D)’s operational priorities.
• Provide expert advice to Commanding Officers and senior managers on utility and waste management issues affecting operational rhythms, working closely with the Alongside Services Operations team to deliver day-to-day support.
• Represent HMNB Devonport at specialist conferences and external meetings, building and maintaining strong relationships within the utility and waste management sectors and with other Naval Bases.
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of the Naval Base Site Safety Cases and related operating practices through regular audits and reviews; identify deficiencies and advise on safety implications of proposed changes.
• Represent Alongside Services on nuclear safety committees, sub-committees, and working groups as required.
• Provide specialist input into major Defence contract development, supporting team resilience by covering for members as needed.
• Ensure effective service delivery and achievement of team objectives, supporting Nuclear Licensee responsibilities related to utility supply and waste management.
• Conduct research and analysis to drive continuous improvement in site-wide utility and waste services.
• Collaborate with Maritime Operating Authorities to prioritise utility provision and waste management according to operational demands and contracted resources.
• Chair utility provision and waste management forums, including regular MOD/Industry Partner meetings.
• Oversee specialist audits of utility and waste management services to ensure compliance and best practice.

Person specification

To be successful in this role, you will need to demonstrate the following essential qualities:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently at all levels.
• Highly organised, self-driven, and proactive, adopting a practical, results-focused approach.
• Strong leadership skills, capable of managing complex change and coordinating multiple stakeholders.
• Technically competent and confident in overseeing and evaluating contractor performance within a regulated defence setting.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain professional relationships across a variety of sectors and organisations.
• Resilient and adaptable, able to support team goals and provide cover across different areas as needed.
• Proven experience in contract management, supplier performance management, or Intelligent Customer functions.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with experience working across organisational boundaries.
• Strong analytical capability, with experience using data and performance metrics to inform decision-making and drive improvement.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Changing and Improving

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,720, Ministry of Defence contributes

£10,927 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• Market-leading employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• Personal & professional development
• Alternative working patterns for many roles
• Access to a confidential, professional support service
• Discount schemes
• Bicycle / season-ticket loans
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Special paid leave to volunteer (up to 6 days a year)

In Navy Command we believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you’ll be supported through your learning journey and your career. This can include working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking an apprenticeship as part of your role.

You’ll have access to a variety of qualifications pathways ranging from GCSE/A-Level equivalent all the way up to master’s degree, depending on your role, your previous skills and your experience. Some qualifications even include “on-the-job” training which means minimal disruption to your working day but maximum impact.

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ .

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

At Sift, you will be assessed against the following;

• Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history, qualification details and previous skills and experience.
• Candidates will be required to provide a personal statement. This should be a maximum of 500 words that sets out your motivation for applying and shows how your skills and experience meet the essential requirements for the role.
• Behaviour - Changing and Improving

At Interview, you will be assessed against the following;

Behaviours:

• Working Together
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions

Further information:

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points-based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system.

Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be