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 of 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

Would you like to contribute to the delivery of major infrastructure projects 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 that contribute to climate change. 

Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) can play an essential role in reaching net zero. It can be an engine to drive cleaner, sustainable growth, transforming our industrial heartlands. It can also unlock new jobs and innovative businesses, raising productivity and competitiveness across the UK. 

We have successfully designed and run a process to select the first two CCUS clusters and are now evolving our policy design for the next round, to meet targets set out in the Net Zero Strategy. You will have the opportunity to lead on significant engagement with our public and private sector partners, as well as the chance to make lasting change. Our team works collaboratively with Transport and Storage (T&S) project developers and other government departments to collectively advance CCUS deployment in the UK.

We are looking for an G7 CCUS Projects Assurance Lead to join a technical team of scientists and engineers, who are responsible for assuring CCUS Transport & Storage networks. You will provide technical advice, as well as working with and managing external technical advisors, to provide a robust technical assurance function. 

Person specification

• Leading the technical assessment of large Transport and Storage CCUS infrastructure projects, at an internationally recognised level, as part of the UK's CCUS Programme. This will involve leading technical discussions during bilateral negotiations and assessing technical information submitted by projects to DESNZ. This will include, for example, critically analysing and advising on a project’s FEED study, risk registers, cost information, planning and permitting approaches and delivery schedule.
• Day-to-day work will include project planning, analysing issues, managing external consultants and their contracts and managing work packages, presenting to senior managers and external stakeholders. The role also includes line management responsibilities.
• Representing DESNZ in external meetings with project developers and cross-Whitehall. This includes providing technical input into negotiations and clear advice on these discussions to senior managers and external organisations.
• Being an intelligent client for external technical experts to Government, ensuring their advice is robust and credible. 

Essential skills and experience

• A degree (or equivalent) in an engineering discipline or similar technical area relevant to the role.
• Engineering/industry experience and/or experience in technical or cost assurance. This could be experienced in project assurance, commercial, engineering design, due diligence, cost assessment, risk analysis, and/or delivery of major infrastructure projects (preferably in the CCUS or Oil & Gas Sectors).
• Strong analytical skills with demonstrated ability to think critically, validate and analyse complex data, and challenge and sense check results, both quantitatively and qualitatively.
• Good project management skills with a strong track record of delivery against challenging deadlines. You will be managing the work of external technical experts as well as taking on task and line management responsibilities within the T&S Assurance team.
• Effective stakeholder management and collaboration skills. You will be working with a wide range of external and internal stakeholders, such as project developers and other governmental bodies. Within the CCUS Programme, you will be working closely with negotiations, policy and project delivery colleagues, as well as User Assurance teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex issues clearly and concisely to both scientific and non-scientific audiences, internally and externally. 

To qualify for the Science & Engineering Specialist Allowance, the post holder will be required to have specific specialist technical knowledge, as an internationally recognised expert, or delivering internationally recognised technical work, to discharge responsibilities of the post, in addition to relevant qualifications and/or knowledge and experience of the technical discipline.

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, Experience and Technical skills.

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 750 words) to use the essential skills and experience outlined in the person specification to demonstrate how your skills and experience make you suitable for this role.

Applications will be sifted on CV and Personal Statement.

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

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

The interview will consist of behavioural and technical skills questions.

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 15/01/2024

Interview dates: w/c 29/01/2024

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 or 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.