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 join a critical programme 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, meaning we will no longer be a net emitter of greenhouse gases which contribute to climate change. Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) will likely play a crucial role in reaching net zero. It can be an engine to drive cleaner, sustainable growth as well as transforming our industrial heartlands. It can also unlock new jobs and innovative businesses, raising productivity and competitiveness across the UK.

We are a friendly and inclusive team and place a strong emphasis on personal development. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are happy to accommodate flexible working arrangements for successful candidates. Our team works collaboratively with industry and other government departments to collectively advance CCUS deployment, both in the UK and internationally.

Person specification

We are seeking an experienced and skilled Project Manager with a focus on scheduling to join our dynamic team. As a Project Manager, you will be responsible for developing and executing project schedules, coordinating resources, and ensuring timely delivery of projects while maintaining high-quality standards. Your role will be instrumental in streamlining project workflows, optimising resource allocation, and communicating progress effectively with all stakeholders.

The successful candidate will have the following key responsibilities: 

• Project Scheduling: Develop project schedules using industry standard scheduling tools and methodologies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify project assumptions dependencies and milestones.

• Timeline Optimisation: Continuously analyse project timelines, identifying areas for optimisation and improvement. Implement strategies to enhance project delivery speed without compromising quality.

• Schedule Risk Assessment: Identify potential scheduling risks and develop contingency plans to mitigate delays. Proactively communicate risks to project stakeholders and recommend alternative approaches to ensure project success.

• Stakeholder Communication: Act as the primary point of contact for scheduling-related inquiries from clients, team members, and management. Provide regular updates on project status, timeline adjustments, and key milestones.

• Resource Management: Work closely with teams to ensure sufficient resources allocated to deliver on forecast date. Anticipate resource requirements and proactively resolve potential scheduling conflicts.

• Progress Monitoring: Monitor project progress against established schedules and objectives. Implement tracking mechanisms to measure performance and promptly address deviations from the plan.

• Process Improvement: Evaluate existing scheduling processes and propose enhancements to increase efficiency and accuracy. Implement best practices to streamline scheduling workflows across the organization.

• Team Collaboration: Foster a collaborative work environment by promoting effective communication and teamwork. Encourage open dialogue among team members and facilitate productive meetings to drive project progress.

• Documentation: Maintain detailed records of project schedules, changes, and decisions. Generate reports and documentation to support project updates and facilitate decision-making processes.

• Quality Assurance: Ensure adherence to project scheduling best practices and organisational standards. Conduct thorough quality checks on scheduling outputs to maintain consistency and accuracy.

Skills and Experience 

We are looking for a project delivery professional who has:

Experience in planning and delivering projects within agreed time, cost and quality constraints. You will be adaptable when applying your knowledge of project management tools and methodologies.

Experience of converting scope and requirements into achievable plans for delivery and coordinating their integration into wider plans.

You will be confident challenging and testing delivery assumptions and estimates to ensure plans are realistic and achievable.

Experience actively managing project risks, issues, dependencies and assumptions.

You will have the ability to build effective working relationships in a complex environment, seeking out opportunities to effectively communicate and influence, and be used to operating with a high degree of autonomy where there is ambiguity and frequent change.   

Desirable Criteria

Experience using MS Office as well as Microsoft Project or equivalent project management software

Interest in CCUS and/or the energy sector

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, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

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

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

Applications will be sifted on behavioural statements, CV and any technical skills required.

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on  the lead Technical skill (Planning).

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, technical 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

The successful candidate may be eligible for a £1,500 pay enhancement subject to having a valid qualification from the list of ‘typical qualifications’ as defined in the Project Delivery Capability Framework for Project Manager Level 2: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/project-delivery-capability-framework-for-civil-servants

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.