Programme & Secretariat Support Officer

Job Description

Fusion energy offers the potential for significant quantities of low-carbon inherently safe abundantly fuelled baseload energy supporting sustainable climate action and energy independence. While the technical challenge remains high confidence is increasing and the rewards of realising fusion are almost incalculable. Anticipated to come online for commercial purposes in the middle of this century fusion offers a viable means to sustainable net zero in the UK and globally as well as to increased energy security. The UK is currently a world leader in fusion research and development and in the drive to realise commercially viable energy from fusion a sector with an estimated value of tns per year.

STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) is the UKs flagship national programme to deliver a prototype fusion energy plant targeting 2040 and a path to commercial viability of fusion. STEP is deliberately bold and ambitious and seeks people who want to be part of a world-changing endeavour and who have credible and relevant experiencing in delivery.

STEP is currently led by the UK Atomic Energy Authority which has breadth and depth of expertise in fusion science engineering and operations built over decades. Over the next year leadership will transition to a new Company UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. (UKIFS) to focus on the delivery of the prototype and in so doing the development of a fusion supply chain. From the next government investment gate UKIFS will lead a collaborative team of industrial Whole Plant Partners who bring expertise in engineering and construction plus UKAEA who will remain as strategic Partner providing fusion expertise

The Role:

As a Programme and Secretariat Support Officer you will play a pivotal role in enabling the effective governance and strategic oversight of the STEP Programme. Operating with a high degree of autonomy you will take ownership of key governance and reporting processes ensuring they are not only well-executed but continuously improved to meet the evolving needs of a complex high-profile programme. 

You will work closely with senior stakeholders across STEP proactively identifying opportunities to enhance decision-making streamline information flows and strengthen programme transparency. This role demands a confident solutions-oriented individual who can think critically manage competing priorities and contribute meaningfully to the programmes strategic direction. 

Your work will directly support the integrity and impact of STEPs governance and reporting functions helping to shape how information is captured communicated and acted upon at the highest levels.

Accountabilities will include: 

Governance Leadership & Coordination: 

• Lead the planning and delivery of STEP governance forums ensuring meetings are strategically structured well-prepared and aligned with programme priorities. 
• Take ownership of agenda development stakeholder engagement and pre-meeting briefings ensuring governance activities are purposeful and outcome-driven. 
• Provide expert support during meetings capturing decisions actions and insights with clarity and precision. 

Strategic Documentation & Reporting:

• Maintain and evolve governance documentation standards ensuring records are accurate accessible and aligned with STEPs reporting architecture. 
• Take initiative in preparing high-quality reporting materials synthesising inputs from across the programme to support strategic decision-making. 
• Actively contribute to the development of dashboards briefing packs and performance narratives ensuring outputs are insightful and action-oriented. 

Information Management & Integration:

• Act as a central point for collating and integrating information across programme areas to support the Full Business Case and other strategic deliverables. 
• Ensure governance and reporting systems (e.g. SharePoint trackers) are optimised for usability traceability and strategic alignment. 
• Champion data integrity and version control embedding best practices across teams. 
• Ensure the confidentiality of the programme is maintained at all times both internally and externally by applying appropriate information handling practices and being mindful of audience and context. 

Process Ownership & Continuous Improvement 

• Identify and lead improvements to governance and reporting processes driving efficiency consistency and user experience. 
• Support the onboarding and capability development of new team members sharing expertise and fostering a culture of ownership and excellence. 
• Bring a proactive mindset to team planning and problem-solving contributing ideas and solutions that enhance programme delivery. 

Stakeholder Engagement & Programme Support: 

• Build trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders acting as a knowledgeable and reliable point of contact for governance and reporting matters. 
• Provide flexible support to programme teams adapting to emerging needs and contributing to cross-functional initiatives. 
• Facilitate collaboration between governance reporting and delivery teams ensuring information flows are coherent and strategically aligned. 

Embody a Leadership Mindset:

• You embody a leadership mindset and a set of leadership behaviours.  You embrace and embody our organisations culture values and mission in all aspects of your work. 
• Foster a positive and inclusive team environment that aligns with our cultural values. 
• Create and support a culture of responsible innovation. 
• Contribute to maintaining a respectful and collaborative workplace valuing diversity and promoting teamwork. 
• Act as a cultural ambassador representing our organisations values and professionalism in interactions with colleagues clients and stakeholders. 
• Lead by example demonstrating The Seven Principles of Public Life - () 
• Make informed decisions and solve problems effectively considering diverse perspectives and organisational goals. 

Qualifications :

Essential: 

• Degree in a relevant discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Proven experience providing high-quality administration or governance support in a complex programme corporate or public sector environment.
• Exceptional organisational and coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple high-stakes forums simultaneously.
• Excellent written communication skills with a track record of producing clear concise and accurate minutes reports and decision records.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office (especially Outlook Word PowerPoint) and file-sharing platforms such as SharePoint.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
• A collaborative working style and willingness to learn in a fast-paced evolving environment.

Beneficial:

Experience working in a public sector programme management or governance setting.

• Exposure to board-level or senior leadership meeting support.
• Basic understanding of governance structures reporting cycles or formal decision-making processes.
• Interest in science engineering or major infrastructure programmes.

Additional Information :

Professional Development and Collaboration: Active engagement with APM and other relevant external bodies as part of continuous development. Support the wider STEP PPM community via active contributions at STEP meetings and events contributions at Community of Practice or conferences etc.  

We welcome applications from under-represented groups particularly women in STEM and individuals from British black and ethnic minority backgrounds and individuals with disabilities. Our Executive team supported by our Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organisation. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.

UKIFS is committed to being accessible. Please email if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis for example changes to the way we interview or share information.

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) including the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions. Whilst not required at this time there is a possibility of an SC Clearance being required in the future. If a candidate already holds an SC clearance that clearance can be transferred to UKIFS.

As we work towards our mission and goals guided by our principles STEP has six behaviours that are intended to capture the spirit of how we work: 

• We champion safety 
• We all matter 
• We act as one 
• We embrace change 
• We are pioneering 
• We deliver 

For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years please visit the following link for information on criminal records checks: If your country of residence or previous residence is not listed on the website or if the UK Government does not have information on obtaining a criminal records check from that state we regret to inform you that we cannot process your application.

 

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time