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 using your analytical skills to help tackle climate change and grow the UK economy? Do you want to be at the forefront of government decision-making?

We are looking for analysts to join us in providing high quality analytical input into numerous ambitious and exciting policy programmes in the Hydrogen and Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) space.

You will work in the Hydrogen & Industrial Carbon Capture (HICC) directorate, in the Analysis and Funding Strategy (AFS) team. We are a dynamic and growing team with around 40 policy and analyst professionals, and a diverse range of skills and experience across all government analytical professions. We work closely with other teams across the department and government, as well as external stakeholders, to ensure government strategy and policy making is based on robust evidence. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive team, supporting each other’s wellbeing, and encouraging opportunities for personal growth, learning and career development.

Our work plays a central role in DESNZ’s efforts to achieve Net Zero through development of the UK’s Hydrogen Economy and CCUS. The UK has ambitious public aims for both, including deployment of up to 10 GW of low-carbon hydrogen production and 4 CCUS clusters capturing 20-30 Mt CO2 per year by 2030. There is currently no commercial demonstration of these technologies at scale in the UK, and very little globally, so now is a really exciting time to join us and be at the heart and start of real transformational change!

Person specification

The successful candidate will primarily be responsible for:

• Analysis to inform negotiations with 'first of a kind' CCUS projects for government support. This includes financial and economic modelling to estimate subsidy impacts and assess value for money.
• Analysis to inform future policy design so that it is fit for purpose to support subsequent rounds of CCUS deployment and aligns with wider government strategies and policies.
• Development of analytical modelling tools (in Excel or R) and the wider evidence base (e.g. through desk-based or externally commissioned research projects) to ensure our team's analysis is high quality and robust.
  

The successful candidate will also be responsible for providing flexible support, as needed and where there are development opportunities, to other parts of the team's work. This could include analysis to inform development of hydrogen transport and storage networks and design of the Hydrogen Levy (the key funding mechanism underpinning government's ambitious hydrogen strategy)!

We anticipate that we will hire more than one candidate through this recruitment round as we are a growing team of analysts.

Skills and experience

This role is suitable for someone who is looking to work in an intellectually stimulating, high-profile, fast-paced environment, and is keen to develop their analytical skills in government. We welcome applications from people who bring transferable skills from outside of government.

Successful candidates will:

• Have demonstrable analytical and modelling experience, including a track record in the practical application of analysis or research. This includes being able to identify and manipulate data and evidence sources to meet customer needs.
  
• Be proactive, able to independently develop analytical projects and collaborate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders across a wide range of backgrounds.
  
• Have a flexible approach to dealing with a challenging and varied workload and the ability to prioritise competing tasks.
  

If you are not already a member of a Government Analytical profession, and depending on your choice of profession, you must meet the qualification criteria for your chosen profession. 

Government Operational Research Service (GORS): To apply you must meet the Government Operational Research Service educational requirement, which is a numerate degree (minimum 2:1, or a 2:2 with relevant work experience or a postgraduate qualification). At least 50% of your degree must be from a highly numerate subject, examples of which include: operational research, mathematics, physics, econometrics, engineering, applied statistics, computer science or equivalent.

Government Statistical Group (GSG): You need a 2:1 Honours degree in a subject containing at least 25% taught statistical content (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography or similar); or a higher degree, e.g. an MSc or PhD, in a subject containing formal statistical training (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography or similar).

Government Social Research (GSR): You need EITHER (i) an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:1, or 2:2 with a postgraduate degree. The degree must contain substantial social research methods training (comprising around one third of modules taken on the course) including quantitative research methods and at least three of the following: systematic/literature reviews; qualitative methods; interpretation of data and presentation of results; study design, hypothesis testing and application of ethics to research. OR (ii) an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:1, or 2:2 with a postgraduate degree, in any subject, or a degree equivalent, plus have at least 4 years’ social research practice experience (e.g. working in a research agency, market research agency or specialist research team). You must make explicit the breadth and depth of your research experience and skills, which must include quantitative research methods and three of the following: systematic/literature reviews; qualitative methods; interpretation of data and presentation of results; study design, hypothesis testing and application of ethics to research.

The role can be tailored to suit the strengths and development needs of the candidate. Learning and development in the role will also be encouraged and supported.

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, 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 1000 words) to explain how your personal skills, qualities and experience demonstrate your suitability for the role, with reference to the key skills and experience section as well. Please also indicate which analytical profession you belong to if you are applying from within government, or which analytical profession you think best aligns with your skills if you are applying from outside of government (refer to the essential requirements section).

Applications will be sifted on CV and 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 technical questions.

Candidates will be assessed against the professional competencies expected at the appropriate level for the analytical profession they select. Note: depending on profession, external candidates will be required to undertake online tests prior to interview as well. Further guidance will be provided on receipt of application.  

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 04/03/2024

Interview dates: w/c 11/03/2024

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.