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 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

Are you interested in joining a high-performing team of security professionals? If you are ready to challenge yourself and become a sought-after specialist across government then we have a great opportunity for you!

We need an organised, flexible self-starter to join our team, which sits within the ICS Department Security Unit (DSU).The DSU is a friendly, diverse team of individuals with expertise in cyber, information, personnel and physical security. The team manages and regulates access to highly sensitive material.

This is a crucial, influential role requiring a track record of successfully managing services and people. You will become a valued member of the Government Security Profession and we will encourage you to explore all elements of the security environment to support your growth and development.

Person specification

This role helps manages the secure administration and control of the ICS service, ensuring that DESNZ/DSIT staff can access highly sensitive material and facilities quickly, reliably, and securely. You will deliver a critical, efficient service to the user community and provide a dedicated reference point for related matters.

The key responsibilities of this role are to:

• Provide secure administrative management, storage and control of all DESNZ/DSIT secure facilities and the highly sensitive material held within, protecting assets by implementing and monitoring robust access control procedures and ensuring the facilities and equipment are maintained.
• Develop effective working relationships with the various authorities and work collaboratively with the wider community and across the government security function, analysing information, establishing resilience processes, and providing informed guidance.
• Deliver a quality induction service to users, providing professional system training to staff at all levels of seniority, including Director Generals and Ministers.
• Support good information management compliance in DESNZ/DSIT, supervising the use of, and actions taken on, highly classified security documentation.
• Represent DESNZ/DSIT at critical meetings and forums across Government.

Skills and experience:

We would love to hear from you if you have a genuine interest in security and improving departmental security culture.  Experience of security in government is beneficial.  We welcome applications from anyone who can bring transferable skills from other fields or sectors.

Our ideal candidate will:

• Be an excellent communicator with a proactive, customer-focused approach, and work within a small team.
• Be able to build effective relationships, engage and negotiate with key stakeholders and staff at all levels of seniority.
• Have a proactive approach towards staff engagement and to demonstrating the highest standards of security behaviours, with the ability to develop and/or follow security processes and policies.
• Have an analytical approach and the ability to make effective decisions, resolve problems and identify areas for improvement.
• Have a team player attitude, encouraging collaborative team and cross-department working and demonstrating a commitment to developing others.

Security clearance at DV level is required for this role and must be willing to go through DV if not already held. In order to meet the nationality requirement for access to sensitive material this post is open to UK nationals only. 

We would also need you to reside within a 1.5-hour travel distance to the London office for the provision of emergency assistance as required.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £28,510, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero contributes £7,697 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 behavioural statements. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

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

Applications will be sifted on behavioural statements. 

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the lead behaviour statement (Managing a Quality Service). 

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 strength based questions.

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 15th April 2024

Interview dates: w/c 22nd April 2024

Interview Location: MS Teams.

Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.

Further Information

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

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 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. 

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

Open to UK nationals only.

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.