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 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) can play a crucial 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 are looking for 3 motivated team-players to join our experienced, welcoming and encouraging team, to work in the CCUS Transport and Storage Negotiation Team and the CCUS Commercial Integration Team. These will be stretching roles providing exciting opportunities for personal development and experience of financing, commercial considerations and contract development. Commercial and/or major project experience, and/or supporting companies in distress would be helpful but is not essential. 

This is a fast-paced area, and we plan to allocate resource flexibly depending on successful candidates’ knowledge skills and experience and business priorities. We currently have three vacancies as follows:

1) CCUS Transport & Storage projects will require an Economic Licence to be able to finance its operations. This infrastructure will act as a key enabler for the deployment of technologies including carbon capture and hydrogen. The financial robustness of Transport & Storage is of paramount importance to investors and a key part of this role will be lead on considerations relating to financial distress working closely with the project sponsors, advisers and regulators.

2) CCUS Transport & Storage projects will require Government support to be realised. These are First of a Kind projects in the UK and investors require certainty on how risks will be managed. The UK’s Government Support Package helps to manage specified high impact low probability risks. A key part of this role will be lead on the finalisation of the contract which provides the framework to deliver on the discontinuation process and enable compensation to be paid to investors following the occurrence of defined events.

3) The Government support to CCUS includes business models for Transport and Storage and Network Users. This role will ensure an effective, timely and co-ordinated approach to those commercial issues which impact across one or more of the Business Models and require alignment (or create an interdependency) across the Programme. This includes identifying, monitoring, and managing such issues as they arise during negotiations, and facilitating the necessary escalation/resolution within the governance framework. 

Person specification

Key responsibilities across the three vacancies will likely include:

Vacancy 1:

• Leading on financial distress including the role of the Special Admin regime, the T&SCo of Last Resort mechanism, and the Statutory Transfer Scheme.
• Further consideration of the range of financial distress scenarios and the implications for investment and financial security arrangements
• Cross-cutting consideration of financial distress scenarios and the linkages with other areas of policy development including but not limited to decommissioning and discontinuation.
• Engagement with Regulators including the North Sea Transition Authority, OPRED and Ofgem.

Vacancy 2:

• Providing policy advice on matters relates to the finalisation of the commercial contracts (e.g., Discontinuation Agreement) to support the investment decisions.
•  Leading on development of policy relating to the payment of breakage costs in the event of discontinuation including those associated with debt instruments, power contracts and operating contracts.
• Supporting the full form drafting process, turning the heads of terms documentation into finalised contracts able to support in a investment decision.
• Cross-cutting consideration of emerging issues arising from the finance raise process as they related to development of the Government Support Package.
• Engagement with Regulators including the North Sea Transition Authority, OPRED and Ofgem.

Vacancy 3:

• Proactively identifying and tracking cross-cutting commercial issues, including commercial interface risks, during the negotiations and, where appropriate, taking ownership of these to agree resolutions or mitigations.
• Disseminating best practice and sharing information across Business Models (and CCUS Clusters) to ensure consistency of commercial positions (including regular briefings with Negotiation Teams and Business Model Leads).
• Contributing to the development of the Final Business Case Commercial Case.
• Working with Negotiations Teams to ensure the terms of the Programme Negotiation Mandate are fully complied with and providing assurance on such matters to the CCUS Governance and wider stakeholder processes.
• Supporting the design and delivery of the £1bn CIF.

All:

• Participating in commercial negotiations, supporting senior members of the team to finalise contracts and developing position papers.
• Engaging with stakeholders including financial, and technical consultants, and presenting to senior stakeholders such as HMT, regulators and other government departments.
• Managing commercially sensitive information and maintaining effective programme management.

Skills and experience   

We are interested in skills and experiences which include the following:

Essential:

• You will have experience in designing/delivering policy and/or working in a commercial environment
• You will have strong verbal and written communications skills and be able to interpret, understand and explain complex information, with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm to non-specialists
• You will be highly organised and able to manage and drive the delivery of all or part of a project to achieve high-quality outcomes; this role will include feeding into the wider project management structure of the team
• Experience of working closely with Government advisors such as GLD, as well as external advisors
• Excellent leadership – building and managing diverse teams to deliver against time-critical and often competing priorities
• Experience in driving policy enablers forwards
• Strong ability to undertake and interpret analysis and to embed this within decision-making
• Ability to work effectively across Government Departments to achieve shared objectives

Desirable

• Knowledge of CCUS
• Knowledge of Energy Policy
• Experience of working on the commercial transaction or major infrastructure project
• Knowledge of financial distress processes including insolvency and Special Administration.

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, Strengths and Experience.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, behavioural statements and a personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

With reference to the criteria outlined in the advert, in your personal statement, please explain in 500 words - how your skills and experience make you suitable for one or all of these roles.

Candidates will be sifted on behavioural statements, CV, and the 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 and strengths questions.

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 15th January 2024

Interview dates: w/c 29th January 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.