About the job

Job summary

Do you want a career where you can make a real difference? Do you want to work in a government department that is at the forefront of current policy making decisions that will impact the UK and beyond? If yes then a career at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) could be for you.  

Here at DESNZ we are securing the UK’s long term energy supply, bringing down energy bills and halving inflation. We are seizing the opportunities of Net Zero to lead the world in new green industries and encouraging greater energy efficiency across the UK. The work of the department has never been more timely or relevant, and by joining us you will be part of making that difference.  
 
Our work is varied, interesting and most importantly it's impactful. Our Values are interwoven into everything we do; we are Bold, we are Collaborative, we are Inclusive and we Learn. As a department we are committed to these values to build a culture where everyone can thrive.   

We offer great work benefits including a world-class pension, flexible working options and a career where your learning and development is taken seriously. We are fortunate to have a range of excellent staff networks and are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We will support talented people from all backgrounds to build a career and thrive. 

Find Out More 

We regularly run events where you can find out more about the department and tips for the application process. You can sign up for upcoming events here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/departmentforenergysecurityandnetzero?  

You can also follow our LinkedIn Careers Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/desnz-careers/  

Job description

To meet net zero, de-carbonise our power system by 2035 and address the UK’s contribution to climate change, we need to change how we use energy for travel, heating and in our daily lives. By using electricity at times of lower demand or higher renewable generation, we can help consumers save money, make best use of renewables, and reduce the need for costly new infrastructure – delivering benefits of up to £10bn a year in system costs by 2050.

Working at the intersection of technology development and policy, the Smart and Secure Electricity Systems team is responsible for ensuring smart technologies, such as electric vehicles and heat pumps, integrate into the energy system in a way which protects consumers, unlocks the benefits of flexibility, and mitigates cyber security risks. Our ambition is to have put in place the major reforms to deliver this change by 2026 – meaning now is a critical time as we transition from policy proposals to making real world change happen.

We are looking to recruit a minimum of two G7 policy team leaders to join us in developing the technical and regulatory frameworks for energy smart appliances. We will also be retaining a reserve list as we expect that further policy roles may become available.

You can find more background on the Smart and Secure Electricity Systems Programme here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/delivering-a-smart-and-secure-electricity-system-the-interoperability-and-cyber-security-of-energy-smart-appliances-and-remote-load-control  

During the written application process, candidates will be assessed against a number of behaviours described in the civil service success profiles recruitment framework (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles). Candidates are advised to familiarise themselves with this framework and with the guidance on how to write competency-based applications (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/a-brief-guide-to-competencies).

Person specification

Working closely with internal and external technical teams, you will be responsible for setting policy direction and managing technical programmes to establish new standards for energy smart appliances and organisations to ensure that they deliver on government’s policy objectives.

We are at a pivotal stage in our work, transitioning from high-level policy design to implementation. Over the next two to three years, you will translate initial policy design into clear and deliverable plans, working closely with technical advisers and external contractors to deliver and implement new technical standards that deliver practical change that positively benefits consumers, industry and the energy system.

We are looking to recruit G7s to lead in two closely related areas:

i. The technical standards and interoperability team is responsible for developing the technical frameworks to ensure that consumers can save money and support decarbonisation by accessing the full range of smart energy tariffs and services. This requires the standardisation of interfaces between devices such as EV smart chargers that energy suppliers, load controllers and EVs. This will help consumers shop around for the best deal, help unlock new products and services from industry, and enable least cost decarbonisation of the energy system.

ii. The cyber security team is responsible for establishing cyber security and grid stability requirements to ensure that the mass roll-out of energy smart technologies such as EVs and heat pumps do not create risks to energy security.

Team Leaders working in both teams will be responsible for:

• Leading the development of plans and policy detail to deliver on policy objectives, working closely with our technical experts and stakeholders.
• Working with industry and technical experts to establish and manage technical projects to deliver these objectives, including managing internal and external technical resource.
• Leading secretariat functions for industry working groups to collaborate on developing a framework that works for consumers, industry and the energy system.
• Providing input to development of secondary legislation, licensing requirements and industry codes, to create the regulatory frameworks that implement new standards.
• Working at the interface of policy and technical advice to translate policy requirements into clear asks for technical teams, assuring that technical solutions deliver on policy intent, and translating technical advice into clear and simple recommendations and updates for senior officials and ministers.
• Planning and managing projects to deliver against agreed milestones, ensuring alignment with the wider programme, and driving delivery at pace to implement real world changes from 2025/2026.

Skills and experience: 

• Comfortable both working at a strategic level and engaging with the technical detail and complexities of delivering change on the ground.
• Experienced at working at pace and leading in complex and technical policy areas.
• Translates complex policy issues into clear programmes of work and drive them forward. Works with others to put in place realistic plans for delivery and implementation both for their own work and taking account of wider programme and departmental priorities.
• Works effectively with technical experts and stakeholders from multi-disciplinary backgrounds, and able to manage conflicting opinions and priorities.
• Coaches staff and team members to get the best from them.
• Agile and proactive. Able to adapt in a fluid policy environment, and take the initiative to identify what needs to happen and drive work forward.
• Quickly absorb often complex and technical energy issues and communicate these clearly to a range of different audiences orally and in writing.
• Enjoys building positive partnerships with diverse stakeholders within government and industry – working collaboratively to make change happen.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £50,305, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero contributes £13,582 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

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

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and a number of behavioural statements.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Applications will be sifted on the behavioural statements and CV. 

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the lead behavioural statement (Leadership). 

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

The interview will consist of behaviour and strength based questions.  

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 08/04/2024

Interview dates: w/c 15/04/2024

Interview Location: MS Teams.

Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.

Further Information

Reasonable Adjustment

We are proud to be a disability confident leader and we welcome applications from disabled candidates and candidates with long-term conditions.

We fully support adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we encourage candidates to discuss their adjustment needs by emailing the job contact which can be found under the contact point for applicants section.

We do not have an exhaustive list of adjustments that we support but just some examples include additional time to complete your application form, behaviour questions up to 72 hours prior to interview and having extra time at interview. 

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

A location-based reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

Any move to the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero  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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

DESNZ does not normally offer full home working (i.e. working at home); but we do offer a variety of flexible working options (including occasionally working from home). 

DESNZ cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign.

DESNZ holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. 

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk 

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Feedback

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). 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. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.