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 its impactful. Our DESNZ 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 working 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

Summary

The Smart Metering Implementation Programme (SMIP) is looking for three highly motivated, adaptable, and collaborative individuals to join our team.

Smart meters are a key enabler of net zero emissions by 2050. They are replacing traditional gas and electricity meters as part of a national energy infrastructure upgrade that will make our energy system more efficient and reliable.

Smart meters are enabling consumers to save money by using energy when cleaner renewable generation is available and helping them to take control of their energy use and cut their bills. They are future proofing our energy system by moving it into the digital age, which is why the Government wants homes and small business in Great Britain to have a smart electricity and gas meter, making the Programme among the most significant change programmes in the history of the energy industry!

Roles

We have vacancies in our Policy and Governance Team; and our Stewardship Team. These are all small friendly teams which sit within the Smart Metering Implementation Programme.

These are high profile and important roles within the Programme. The types of work the successful candidates will be expected to undertake include:

Policy:

• Developing measures (regulatory and non-regulatory) to increase smart meter uptake.
  
• Developing and delivering measures that support delivery of the current framework for smart metering.
  
• Developing and responding to public consultations regarding key issues with regard to the smart meter roll-out.
  
• Working with lawyers, analysts, policy colleagues in DESNZ, Ofgem, and across Whitehall to identify and agree policy positions.
  

Engagement:

• Coordinating & managing bilateral meetings with energy suppliers and smart-meter installation companies to monitor their performance against smart-meter roll-out targets and other aspects of the smart-meter roll-out.
• Monitoring energy suppliers' smart-meter roll-out performances by gathering data and intelligence from engagement activity and to also determine where actions are required.
  
• Collating information from government and industry to develop a continuously updated best practice guide for energy suppliers, smart meter installers, and other relevant parties, to optimise the programme.
• Representing the team and our interests in wider industry and cross-programme workshops and events.
  
• Stakeholder management of key industry representatives from energy suppliers, DNOs and MOPs.
  
• Supporting the delivery of SMIP's innovation portfolio.

Corporate support:

• Providing Secretariat function for SMIP governance meetings; including setting the agenda, minute taking, reviewing, and maintaining a forward look and dashboards, tracking attendees and other administrative arrangements. This will also include responding to queries, compiling and presenting, including on data relating to safety reporting.
• Co-ordinate and analyse safety data from industry parties and assist/lead on operational safety related projects.
  
• Work with the Grade 7 on engaging with energy networks and energy suppliers.
  
• Provide support to key Programme Management requirements and projects as required. 

Person specification

Skills and experience

The successful candidates will have knowledge, experience or skills including:

• A track record of working collaboratively in a sophisticated programme or delivery environment, driving progress in the face of a range of competing views and priorities.
  
• Strong communication (oral and written), interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to distil and clearly communicate complex issues.
  
• Policy experience in developing proposals, assessing options, interpreting data and evidence, and demonstrating good judgement and evidence-based decision making.
  
• Project delivery experience (including planning, stakeholder management and tracking outputs and outcomes).
  
• Ability to think strategically and understand how external influences can impact the policy direction and delivery of the programme.
  
• Highly developed organisational skills and an ability to develop plans and see them through to delivery and completion.
  
• Ability to work at pace, effectively managing competing priorities using good judgement and decision-making abilities.
  
• Flexible and capable of adapting approaches to meet wide-ranging role needs in line with business requirements.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,470, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero contributes £10,116 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 and Experience.

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

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

Please use your personal statement (in no more than 500 words) to set out the skills and experience which make you suitable for this role.

Candidates will be sifted on behavioural statements, CV, and personal statement.

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the personal statement.

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 questions.

Interviewees will be asked to deliver a presentation; further details will be provided nearer the time.

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 19/02/2024

Interview dates: w/c 26/02/2024

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 and 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.