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

The role is part of the Nuclear Infrastructure, Capability and International team. We are focused on ensuring the UK has the right capability to underpin the deployment of new nuclear to support our energy security and meet New Zero targets. We are a friendly, encouraging, diverse and flexible team, with an exciting and evolving programme of work. In the Nuclear Cluster, we promote diversity and inclusion across our agenda. We value our people and are committed to their development.

There will be access to varied internal and external opportunities to build skills and knowledge. You will work primarily in the International Civil Nuclear team with admin support for the Programme Management Team too.

The International Civil Nuclear team work to deliver the Government's energy security, low-carbon energy, commercial, and foreign policy goals through nuclear power.

We engage with a range of international partners to deliver an ambitious diplomatic agenda: multilateral organisations, foreign companies, and foreign governments, some of whom share our approach to nuclear power and others who are new or even opposed to it.

No two days are the same: our daily activities range from coordinating major bilateral meetings with priority countries and engagement with industry, to defending and promoting UK priorities at meetings of the United Nations, OECD and G7.

Please note DESNZ are currently reviewing our terms and conditions and pay arrangements following Machinery of Government changes and as part of the outstanding August 2023 pay award. Please be aware there may be changes to terms and conditions and pay ranges listed in this advert ahead of you starting in post.  

Please note that the International Civil Nuclear Team is based in London and Salford and for this role they will need to frequently support policy colleagues with the preparation of event/visit briefing packs, including assistance with formatting, printing and assembling and therefore would need to be based in the same offices as team members. 

Name of approving DG: n/a

This is a busy and demanding post that requires a full-time member of staff. The newly expanded team has a lot of new processes and ways of working that need to be delivered in a short space of time. We need a dedicated person that can provide the support we need to deliver at pace plans that we have been developing over some time. A single permanent member of staff would be more effective for continuity and pace.

Approving Director's name: Chris Heffer

Person specification

Administration • Provide administration support across NICI, including procurement, maintaining distribution lists and the management and triaging of the shared mailbox. • Arrange travel, hotel and meeting room bookings. • Collaborate with internal and external PAs and provide secretarial support for senior level meetings as required. • Secretariat and coordinate regular NICI team meetings. • Deliver financial administration tasks including liaising with Finance on purchase orders, NEA database invoicing and some finance tracking. Business Management Support • Lead NICI Corporate Reporting • Maintain the welcome pack and support the on-boarding of new starters. • Lead information management across teams, implementing systems and identifying opportunities to improve Event Planning and Stakeholder Support • Act as NICI point of contact for inward visitors, coordinating programmes as required. • Support policy colleagues with the preparation of event/visit briefing packs, including assistance with formatting, printing and assembling. • Support policy colleagues liaising with IAEA NPU to process IAEA meeting applications. Skills and experience Essential criteria Have excellent verbal and written communication. Have great organisational experience and attention to detail. Manage people-sensitive information with discretion and confidentiality. Be proactive, motivated, resilient, willing to learn, with a hands-on attitude, and confident, with a positive approach and a focus on delivery. Good team player and be able to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively and in a positive manner with colleagues. Work at pace to manage a busy, reactive workload. Willing to travel to London when needed if based in Salford. Desirable criteria Understanding of DESNZ administrative systems (e.g. CTM, Matrix)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £25,310, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero contributes £6,833 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, personal statement and a number of behavioural statements.

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

Please use your personal statement (in no more than 250 words) to explain how you are suitable for this role

Please note - the CV incorporated into the application form is for information purposes only and will not be scored.

Applications will be sifted on behavioural statements and personal statement. 

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

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 13/05/2024

Interview dates: w/c 20/05/2024

Interview Location: MS Teams.

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

Further Information

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

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 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. 

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.