Communications Advisor

Candidate Information Pack

Contents Page Number

Welcome Message 2

Background 4

About Radioactive Waste Management Limited 7

Organisational Structure 9

Role Profile 10

Person Specification 12

Indicative Timetable 14

How to Apply 15

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Welcome Message

Thank you for your interest in the position of Communications Advisor for Radioactive Waste Management Ltd (RWM).

For more than 60 years, Britain has been accumulating radioactive waste which is currently stored safely at over 30 sites around the country.

With extensive and proven expertise in higher activity radioactive waste management, the years ahead promise to be both exciting and challenging for RWM. Since the publication of the White Paper in 2014, we have been working with colleagues in the department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Welsh Government and Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) with a hugely important objective in mind; the launch of a new siting process for a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF).

Delivering a GDF for the UK is mission critical for both the Government and the NDA. The UK requires a safe and permanent way to dispose of higher activity radioactive waste. A safe disposal route is critical to supporting the Government’s nuclear new build programme, making sure the UK has access to safe, secure, affordable, low-carbon energy. NDA cannot deliver its mission of cleaning up the UK legacy without a GDF. As a nation, we have an obligation to reduce the burden of our radioactive waste legacy on future generations. RWM is the delivery vehicle to provide the solution. Our organisation of scientists and engineers is determined to tackle this legacy. We work closely with our counterparts worldwide to provide reassurance and solutions to the many technical aspects of the programme. Every step of the process will be scrutinized. If we cannot satisfy ourselves and the independent regulators that a GDF is safe, then it will not be built.

The delivery of our work on the GDF design and safety case, together with the National Geological Screening, mark the achievement of two significant milestones as we prepare for the launch of the GDF siting process. The work will also support our role in delivering the Welsh policy for geological disposal.

As a delivery organisation, we are building our capability to engage proactively with potential host communities. We look forward to engaging and working with a broad range of strategic stakeholders to build support and advocacy for the entire programme so that interested communities are aware of the investment and benefits that a GDF would bring.

The first challenge we face is completing all of the preparations to ensure we and our colleagues in NDA and Government are confident to launch the new siting process. Following launch, we need to attract and retain participation by communities in the siting process. We will use information generated from National Geological Screening to support our engagement with communities and help focus that engagement.

At the heart of this work will be the vast body of knowledge that we have built up over the decades from our own experience and from our collaboration with other countries. Through our ongoing work with the producers of radioactive waste, we are developing waste management solutions that will be suitable for final disposal in a GDF.

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Our most important asset is our people and we will provide a supportive and inclusive work environment in which they can realise their full potential.

We are building a skilled and experienced corporate communication team at RWM. A key focus of the team is ensuring that we incorporate a matrix approach to the way communications and media is managed and utilised across the business to deliver the RWM vision. , while ensuring our people have the platforms and information they need to engage with stakeholders and communities, helping them to understand our work.

To help contribute to this activity, we are looking for a confident and talented Communications Advisor to join our team. In this vital role – working with a range of experts including scientists and engineers - you will support the delivery of media engagement plans to raise awareness of RWM and its key projects, ensuring we anticipate key developments, are able to flex to unexpected changes and tell a trusted and consistent story to engage and inspire its people through effective internal communications.

If you are interested in this key position and have the necessary experience to help deliver RWM’s work, then we look forward to receiving your application.

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Background

Higher-activity radioactive wastes are produced as a result of the generation of electricity in nuclear power stations, from the associated production and processing of the nuclear fuel, from the use of radioactive materials in industry, medicine and research, and from military nuclear programmes.

As one of the pioneers of nuclear technology, the UK has accumulated a substantial legacy of higher activity radioactive materials. Some of it has already been processed and placed in safe and secure interim storage on nuclear sites. However, most will only become waste over the next century or so as existing facilities reach the end of their lifetime and are decommissioned and cleaned up safely and securely.

These higher-activity wastes can remain radioactive, and thus potentially harmful, for hundreds of thousands of years. Modern, safe and secure interim storage can contain all this material – but this method of storage requires on-going human intervention to monitor the material and to ensure that it does not pose any risk to human or environmental health. While the Government believes that safe and secure interim storage is an effective method of managing waste in the short to medium term, the Government is committed to delivering a permanent disposal solution.

In October 2006, following recommendations made by the independent Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM), the Government announced its policy of geological disposal, preceded by safe and secure interim storage. The Government subsequently announced that it would pursue a policy of geological disposal with a community consent-based siting process working in partnership with potential host communities. This remains Government policy.

Geological Disposal

Geological disposal involves isolating radioactive waste in an engineered facility deep below ground inside a suitable rock formation to ensure that no harmful quantities of radioactivity ever reach the surface environment. It is a multi-barrier approach, based on placing packaged wastes in engineered tunnels at a depth of between 200 and 1000m underground, protected from disruption by man-made or natural events.

Geological disposal is internationally recognised as the preferred approach for the long-term management of higher-activity radioactive waste. It provides a long-term, safe solution to radioactive waste management that does not depend on on-going human intervention

2014 White Paper

In line with the Secretary of State’s written Ministerial statement of 31 January 2013, Government considered what lessons can be learned from the experiences of a previous programme in West Cumbria and elsewhere and invited views on the site selection aspects of the ongoing Managing Radioactive Waste Safely programme.

The White Paper released on 25th July 2014 set out the UK Government’s framework for managing higher-activity radioactive waste in the long term through geological disposal. This will be implemented

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alongside ongoing interim storage and supporting research. This White Paper updated (and replaced in England and Northern Ireland) the 2008 White Paper by the UK Government and the devolved administrations of Wales and Northern Ireland, Managing Radioactive Waste Safely – A Framework for Implementing Geological Disposal.

A GDF is a highly-engineered facility capable of isolating radioactive waste within multiple protective barriers, deep underground, to ensure that no harmful quantities of radioactivity ever reach the surface environment. The development of a GDF will be a major infrastructure project of national significance. It will provide a permanent solution for the UK’s existing higher activity radioactive waste (including anticipated waste from a new build programme.

To identify potential sites where a GDF could be located, the UK Government favours a community consent-based approach working in partnership with communities that are willing to participate in the siting process. A GDF is likely to bring significant economic benefits to a community that hosts it, in the form of long-term employment and infrastructure investment, and in the form of additional community investment that the UK Government has committed to provide.

The White Paper set out a number of initial actions to be undertaken by the UK Government and by the developer (Radioactive Waste Management Limited) to help implement geological disposal. It also set out a number of key principles and commitments that will shape the subsequent process of working with communities to identify and assess potential sites. It has been informed by a previous siting process that operated from 2008 to 2013, and the subsequent review of that process, including a Call for Evidence and formal public consultation, which took place in 2013.

This White Paper provides background information in relation to: The radioactive waste (and other nuclear materials that may be declared as waste in the future)

that will be disposed of in a GDF, and how it is currently managed; How geological disposal became UK Government policy – a process informed by the

recommendations of the independent Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM), and in line with the preferred approach internationally;

Information on what geological disposal is, including aspects of its design, how it is constructed and regulated, and the roles and responsibilities of those organisations involved in its implementation.

It then set out the current policy framework for implementation of geological disposal in the UK, including:

Establishing an upfront process of national screening, based on known geological information. This process will be led by the developer, drafting national screening guidance that will be evaluated by an independent review panel, in an open and transparent manner, before being applied across the UK (excluding Scotland);

In England, bringing GDFs, and the borehole investigations that support their development, within the statutory definition of ‘Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects’ within the Planning Act 2008. This provides an appropriate process for planning decisions, making public consultation an integral part of this process. The UK Government is developing a generic (i.e. non-site specific) National Policy Statement to support the planning process, providing the framework within which the decision to construct will be taken, and further upfront information to inform discussions with communities;

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Developing the policy for working with communities, including: o Deciding on an approach to community representation, which has been informed by a

community representation working group convened following publication of this White Paper;

o Providing high level information on community investment, including the process for deciding how and when this money will be invested, in relation to:

- Communities engaging in the siting process; and - The community or communities that decide to host a GDF;

Establishing a mechanism by which communities, the developer and Government can openly access independent, third party advice on key technical issues during the siting process.

The siting process will provide more information to communities before they are asked to get involved. With greater clarity on issues like geology and development impacts, community investment and community representation, communities will be able to engage with more confidence in the process to deliver this nationally significant infrastructure project.

To download the July 2014 White Paper, please follow the link:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/332890/GDF_White_Paper_FINAL.pdf

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About Radioactive Waste Management Limited

RWM was established as a wholly–owned subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) on the 1 April 2014. It is the delivery organisation for a GDF and for the provision of other waste management solutions.

RWM has extensive and proven expertise in higher activity radioactive waste management and planning for a GDF. On behalf of Government and NDA we are running the geological disposal programme and have significant experience of specification, design, assessments and research.

We offer our waste producer customers disposability assessments of proposals for packaging intermediate level waste. This is done within the regulatory framework described in “The Management of Higher Activity Waste on Nuclear Licensed Sites”.

RWM provides support to NDA through “upstream optioneering” initiatives. This involves working proactively with waste owners to realise opportunities for the optimisation of the geological disposal system in combination with earlier phases of the waste management lifecycle in order to minimise factors such as safety and environmental impacts, hazard, cost, risk and volume of waste to be managed in a geological disposal facility.

We operate under a Services Agreement and Client Specification between NDA and RWM to deliver our mission, objectives and plans.

Our mission is to: Deliver a geological disposal facility and provide radioactive waste management solutions.

Our objectives are to: Engage with national and local governments and communities to identify a geological disposal

facility site. Develop the specification, design, safety case and environmental and sustainability assessments

for the disposal system and obtain regulatory support. In conjunction with waste producers, identify and deliver solutions to optimise the management

of higher activity waste. Develop and maintain an effective organisation and secure resources to deliver the geological

disposal facility programme. Obtain and maintain stakeholder support for our activities. Deliver a focused R&D programme to support geological disposal and optimised packaging

solutions.

Governance

As a wholly-owned subsidiary of NDA, RWM has a board of directors and is chaired by an NDA Director. This is the primary mechanism for NDA’s governance of RWM and its performance through monthly performance reports against its agreed business plan. Sanctioning of RWM’s funding is carried out by the NDA.

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Regulation

The Environment Agency and the Office for Nuclear Regulation are responsible for ensuring that any future Geological Disposal Facility in England meets their high standards for protecting people and the environment and for granting the necessary environmental permits and nuclear site licence for their respective regulatory remits of environmental protection, safety, security, radioactive materials transport and safeguards. In Wales, Natural Resources Wales perform a similar role.

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Organisational Structure

RWM Board

Non-Executives The current composition of the Board consists of Independent Non-Executive Directors (NEDs), NDA nominated Non-Executive Directors and members of the RWM Executive team. Two new independent NEDs have recently been appointed to constructive challenge and support the Board/Executive in ensuring the formation and delivery of effective strategy and performance.

RWM Executive Team Managing DirectorGDF Siting and Engagement Director Chief Scientific AdvisorHealth, Safety, Security Environment and Quality (HSSEQ) DirectorBusiness Services Director Waste Management Director Technical Director

For the GDF siting process, RWM has specific programme governance arrangements from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

Funding Framework

RWM is publicly funded by NDA with part of this financing coming from the income RWM generates from its disposability assessment activities and national and international research programmes. Our total planned expenditure is approved as part of the NDA business planning process and spending reviews.

Commercial Income

Our commercial operations fall broadly into two areas: Disposability assessments activities. National and international research programmes.

The GDF programme, which will be a multi-billion pound programme, will be drawn down through the NDA to achieve critical delivery milestones.

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Role Profile

Working within the Corporate Communications team you will help us to implement RWM’s communications strategy across four delivery areas: media, stakeholder engagement, internal communications, and digital.

Principle Accountabilities Support RWM’s media and campaigns function, from developing and delivering proactive plans to

managing responses to queries. Part of RWM’s on-call rota. Support strategic engagement activity, from stakeholder-mapping to coordinating correspondence

with corporate stakeholders. Support delivery across our content and channels, including supporting management of our websites

and social media channels. Overseeing internal engagement activity and campaigns to ensure our colleagues feel informed and

empowered to tell RWM’s story. Provide advice on best practice and practical implementation of communications plans to colleagues

across RWM. Support the infrastructure of the corporate communications team, including our planning grids. Support a responsive approach to enquiries, including FOIs and Parliamentary questions.

Position in Organisation A direct report to the Strategic and Internal Communications Manager; Internal contacts include the RWM management team and all levels within the organisation; Strong links with the corporate communications teams at our parent organisation NDA, our

government department BEIS, and in Welsh Government; External contacts are wide ranging and include, but are not limited to BEIS, Welsh Government,

government departments, Parliamentarians, nuclear industry, supply chain, regulators, NGOs, trades unions, academia, and key public opinion influencers at local, national and international level.

In this varied role, and as one of three experienced communications professionals joining the Corporate Communications team, you will:

Support the delivery of media engagement plans to raise awareness of RWM and key projects; Help to develop and manage our social media channels to bring to life the work of the organisation; Support effective horizon-scanning to ensure that we are anticipating key developments and able to

flex to unexpected changes when they arise; Support and enhance the robust infrastructure of the team, from our planning grids to our work with

design agencies; Play a key role in ensuring that RWM tells trusted and consistent story to engage and inspire its

people through effective internal communications; Feel comfortable working and developing your skills across all of the Corporate Communications

disciplines;

Management: Own performance, including identifying opportunities for self-development. Health and wellbeing, including adhering to corporate standards for health, safety and security. Own workload, including time and deadline management.

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Support and implement corporate decisions and initiatives. In addition, to undertake other activities commensurate with their skills and experience as and when

required. Manage delegated spend, if appropriate.

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Person Specification In your written application, please give evidence of proven experience in response to as many of the criteria listed in "Part One" of the Person Specification as possible. These responses will be further developed and discussed with those candidates invited for interview, together with the other criteria listed in "Part Two". It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to demonstrate a strong record across a broad range of the criteria in both Part One and Part Two:

Part One:

Key Experience 1. Essential experience and success in communication and engagement roles;

2. Significant experience and success using a variety of communication channels, including social

media, to reach a wide number of audiences;

3. Desirable experience using Adobe Creative Cloud tools and/or SharePoint or other CMS tools;

4. Experience of working with multiple stakeholders both internally and externally;

5. Experience of sustaining an organisational profile, cultivating active networks, building relationships and associations across all relevant influencing/stakeholder groups that ensures stakeholders/networks are well informed about vision, aims and goals;

6. Practical experience in coordinating responses to queries, including Freedom of Information requests.

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Part Two:

Abilities, Skills and Knowledge 1. Able to communicate and influence with empathy at all levels;

2. Able to develop and deliver practical approaches to communicating complex ideas in a simple way, through internal briefings, stakeholder toolkits, and correspondence;

3. Able to analyse and present communications data and insights;

4. Able to communicate and influence with empathy at all levels, with outstanding writing and presentation skills;

5. Preferable good first degree or equivalent professional qualification;

6. Chartered status membership of a relevant professional institute preferred;

7. Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office suite.

Personal Style and Behaviour 1. Articulate, dynamic, energetic, self-motivated, committed and enthusiastic;

2. Leads by example; inclusive rather than exclusive; prepared to share expertise, know-how and skills;

3. Innovative; thinks outside traditional boundaries and ways of doing things; anticipatory – encouraging a forward-looking inquisitive approach that maximises opportunities before they are lost and that eliminates risk in good time;

4. High degree of probity and integrity; committed to the activities and actions of RWM.

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Indicative Timetable

(NB: Please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage).

Advert appears: Wednesday 5th December 2018

Advert closes: Wednesday 2nd January 2019

Search closes: Friday 11th January 2019

Long list meeting/preliminary interviews (Rockpools): w/c 14th January 2019

Short list meeting: w/c 21st January 2019

Final interviews (RWM): w/c 28th January 2019

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How to Apply

Ref Number: Communications Advisor (RWM050)

If you wish to apply, please supply the following documentation:

A comprehensive CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements;

A supporting statement that fully addresses the criteria in Part One of the person specification;

Please also state details of two referees together with a brief statement of the capacity in which, and the length of time for which, they have known you (referees will not be contacted before final interviews without your express permission). The successful candidate will be subject to final references and security clearance before an appointment can be formally offered;

It is essential in your written application that you provide as full an answer as possible to the criteria being answered to ensure your application covers all the relevant experience that the selection panel will be looking for in the sift process.

If you wish to receive a hard copy of the information content, or in an alternative format e.g. Audio, Braille or large font then please contact Kelly Rooke on +44 (0)20 3137 3449 or by e-mailing her at Kelly.rooke@rockpools.com

If you cannot apply online, please post applications to:

Kelly RookeCoventry Techno Centre Coventry University Technology ParkPuma Way CoventryCV1 2TTUnited Kingdom

For an informal and confidential discussion, please call our advising consultants at Rockpools: David Thomas on 020 3137 3446 or Balvinder Sangha on 020 3137 3453.

Rockpools will, of course, respect the privacy of any conversations regarding this key role.

RWM is committed to building a diverse, equitable and truly inclusive workplace.

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