About the job

Job summary

Our Delivery & Schemes Directorate is our delivery arm and manages several high-profile environmental and customer focused programmes. It’s a fast-paced and friendly place to work, and you can expect to be involved in meaningful work playing a part in delivering Ofgem’s goals of protecting energy consumers and decarbonising the energy system. Our flexible working career opportunities are incredibly varied, so we are committed to recruiting talented people from a diverse range of professional and personal backgrounds.

You will jointly lead substantial teams and drive fast-paced and technically complex programmes of audit, compliance and counter-fraud activity relating to all scheme delivery undertaken by Ofgem – effectively providing assurance on nearly £10b in scheme and grants funding annually. ​

​Each postholder will each lead multiple teams responsible for deterring, detecting and addressing non-compliance and fraud across a range of, schemes (each post holder to be initially responsible for ~70-120 FTE, and will support combined leadership across the wider Audit & Compliance portfolio of >215 FTE). Exceptional leadership skills are a must, as is proven experience managing substantial delivery programmes through effective governance and controls. You will be an expert in compliance, operational design and delivery excellence. ​

​Our audit teams oversee a range of desk and physical site audits to ensure that scheme funding is being used appropriately – for example through our contracted external audit providers who visit clean heat or major renewables installations that receive scheme funding. For avoidance of doubt, this is not an ‘internal audit’ function – our audits are about monitoring and detecting non-compliance with scheme rules so we can take swift action to put things right where needed. ​

​Our compliance teams are responsible for investigating and taking action where non-compliance is identified – for example by recouping scheme funding, revoking accreditation or taking other action which could include referrals to enforcement. Other compliance teams are responsible for working closely with energy suppliers to ensure they deliver ambitious programmes of energy efficiency and other support – for example by ensuring suppliers are on track with installing huge volumes of energy efficiency measures or delivering rebates to consumers, and taking strong action where this is off track. ​

​Our counter fraud team works across all of areas, ensuring appropriate fraud controls are in place and investigating suspected fraud. Our work is hugely varied, fast-paced and exciting – with clear, real-world impact every day.​

Job description

As the strategic leads for all matters relating to audit, compliance and counter fraud across our schemes, you will have the ability to inspire a diverse range of professionals to deliver against Delivery and Scheme’s strategy. This includes supporting a high-performing leadership team already in place. You will be responsible for planning and delivering a significant programme of work on time, on budget and to a high standard through effectively managing and supporting of multiple teams. You will be an effective communicator and influencer at senior levels. You will demonstrate exceptional inclusive people and enterprise leadership, ongoing professional development and commitment to Ofgem’s values. ​

​You will report into the Director, Audit & Compliance and be accountable to them for delivery. Final team configuration will be informed by the skills and experience of each incoming Deputy Director, but it’s envisaged that one will oversee all supplier-led energy efficiency programmes and one will oversee all audit activities and a mix of renewable energy (RE) participant and clean heat participant activities. Remaining teams will report directly into the Director, Audit & Compliance but be supported by the two Deputy Directors. ​

​This is a fantastic team where there is real energy and momentum to deliver our mission, and where you’ll work with a range of wonderful colleagues every day. We can’t wait for you to join us.

​Neil Lawrence (Director of Delivery and Schemes and other members of the Delivery and Schemes team, will hold a presentation on 6th June to talk about the fantastic work the directorate does and provide an opportunity for Questions and Answers. If you would like to attend that session Please contact Clare Williams at clare.williams@ofgem.gov.uk who will add you to the invite.  ​

Person specification

Essential Criteria​

• Experience leading large audit, monitoring, oversight, compliance and/or enforcement teams in a complex and technical environment. (Lead)
• Exceptional leadership qualities including ability to set clear direction, engage, motivate and inspire sizable teams to deliver.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including ability to engage and influence at the highest levels.
• Experience successfully leading and delivering significant programmes of work, including evidence of operating tight governance, controls and risk management frameworks.
• Experience leading teams responsible for difficult decisions with material impact and consequences. ​

Desirable Criteria ​

• Experience and/or knowledge of government scheme and/or grants administration.  ​

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £90,000, OFGEM contributes £24,300 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.

Full selection process included in the candidate pack.

Please indicate as part of your application which role you wish to be considered for or if you wish to be considered for both. 

You will be directed to attach a CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. This should not exceed two pages, and please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years. You will also be required to complete a Statement of Suitability (no longer than two pages) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification. If you wish to be considered for both roles please sure that you fully evidence within your statement of suitability the essential criteria for both roles. 

Failure to submit both documents (CV and Statement of Suitability) will mean the panel have only limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.

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.