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

Would you like to deliver critical policies for addressing climate change? In 2019, the UK became the first major economy in the world to legislate to have “net zero” carbon emissions by 2050; we will no longer be a net emitter of greenhouse gases.

CCUS has a vital role to play in reaching net zero. It can also be an engine to drive sustainable growth, invigorating our industrial heartlands. It can unlock new jobs and innovative businesses across the UK.

Within the CCUS Directorate, the CO2 Transport & Storage (T&S) policy team is delivering key work to enable the initial CCUS clusters.  This includes delivering the first Network Code, establishing subsidy and licensing frameworks, accelerating offshore geological storage appraisal and establishing strategies for future multi-modal, interconnected transport networks (including unlocking non-pipeline transport options).

This role is within the CCS Network Code & Strategy team. The Network Code will be a pivotal document for UK CCS roll out. It will define key operational rules and principles for the first-of-a-kind networks, for example, how is network capacity allocated to projects? How are rates and fees calculated fairly each year? How are disputes settled? When and how can the Code be modified? Understanding these and other principles, will enable investors and developers to understand the commercial as well as physical operation of the networks. 

We are working to finalise and then operationalise the Code during 2024, to enable investment decisions for the UK’s first CCUS clusters.

We are also beginning new strategic work, looking beyond the first two T&S networks, to understand how the Network Code must evolve into the future, to meet the more diverse needs of future users, as the industry expands into new sectors and locations. These needs could include accommodating different sources of CO2 (e.g. direct air capture), different transport methods (e.g. onshore pipelines, trains, tanker and injection ships) and temporary buffer storage facilities. We will be working to help operationalise early networks (via the Code) and to set out a strategy for future networks.

We work closely with the prospective users and operators of networks, with policy teams across the department and with a range of external specialist advisors. We identify and solve problems, brokering solutions which balance user, operator and government needs. We would love to hear from you if you have a passion for maximising the opportunity of

low carbon industries, want to play a role in tackling climate change and have an interest in energy/decarbonisation policy.

Successful candidates will contribute to building a collaborative and happy environment where people bring their best to work, establishing excellent working relationships. Building trust with people from industry, colleagues and senior managers and ministers will be an important part of these roles.

The T&S policy team is a friendly and inclusive team. We believe that a friendly workplace nurtures success and we place a strong emphasis on personal development. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all background and can accommodate flexible working arrangements.

Person specification

• Support development of cross-cutting policy solutions by gathering and using a range of evidence and materials.
• Help establish strategic direction, by defining policy challenges and evaluating options.
• Collaborate with colleagues in the team, wider CCUS programme, across DESNZ, other Government departments and arm’s length bodies to develop and publish government policy documents.
• Manage and support stakeholder engagement activity, including workshops with industry and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development of reports and to advice to senior leadership, Ministers and other stakeholders.
• Draft ministerial and departmental level commissions for meeting briefings, oral packs and correspondence.
• Contribute to a motivated and high performing team, undertaking L&D to support personal development.

Skills and experience:

We would love to hear from you if you have:

• Critical thinking skills, including evaluating quantitative and qualitative information.
• Organisation and project management skills that let you prioritise effectively work flexibly across the team/topics.
• Interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to establish, build and maintain collaborative and productive relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Are a self-starter with a willingness to take new challenges on and keen to progress their learning and development.
• A passion to help tackle climate change and enable decarbonisation.

Desirable criteria

Study or experience of policy making

Knowledge of CCUS or energy market

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £31,120, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero contributes £8,402 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 personal statement.

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 describe why you are suitable for this role and what motivated you to apply. In particular, describe outcomes which demonstrate your relevant skills and experience.

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

Applications will be sifted on the personal statement.  

The interview will consist of behaviour and strength based questions.  

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 15/04/2024

Interview dates: w/c 29/04/2024

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.