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 it's impactful. Our 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 work 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 passionate about all things change and engagement?

Do you put people at the heart of change and communications?

Are you looking for a challenging role that includes being involved in a major change and transformation programme across nine government departments?

Then we would love to hear from you!

The Matrix Programme is a transformation programme involving the Cabinet Office; Department for Science Innovation & Technology; Department for Energy Security & Net Zero; Department for Education; Department of Health & Social Care; Department for Business & Trade; Attorney General’s Office; and HM Treasury.

It is a unique cross-government collaboration that will unlock simpler, better, and more joined up working by bringing together the systems, processes and ways of working for key government functions such as Finance or HR (Human Resources), commonly known as Shared Services.

The post sits in the Digital Shared Services Team, a fantastic team passionate about improving the existing shared services experience for DSIT/DESNZ and its partners whilst working to deliver the strategic objectives of the new Government Shared Services Strategy through the Matrix Programme.

We are looking for an Engagement and Content Designer to work within our team to manage the transition to new ways of working as part of the new shared services model, putting people at the heart of the change. We have the ability to shape this role to support the individual’s development and enhance their skills!

Responsibilities include:

- Support both change and communication activities to look at improving our current shared service processes and provision ahead of onboarding onto the Matrix solution.

- Lead on creating, engaging, evaluating, updating and reviewing content, across a variety of formats, to support multiple change and engagement initiatives stretching across digital and offline channels. 

- Work closely with a wide range of stakeholders and build trust and credibility through effective relationships, engaging proactively with stakeholders and the wide business to support engagement and maintain those effective relationships.

- Maintain an awareness of the strategic stakeholder and audience landscape to ensure the content we deliver is centred around the recipient, set up for success and delivered at the right time, in the right place and in the right format.

 - Work across the team, using your expertise and enthusiasm to identify, understand and assess opportunities for engagement and communications interventions. Support the team in utilising innovative tools and techniques for effective insight gathering to inform delivery of impactful campaigns.

- Continued monitoring and review of active content to maintain accuracy and seek out innovative ways to obtain feedback on the effectiveness of channels and materials. Suggest changes and improvements, celebrate successes and learn lessons. 

- Understand, identify and mitigate risks. Establish and manage dependencies across our work to ensure timely reporting to our PMO function, and to escalate any issues through the appropriate governance. Prepare any documentation required for relevant stakeholders, working groups and governance boards.

Person specification

Essential skills and experience:

- Experience of developing and delivering multi-platform communications strategies, informed by based on audience analysis and strong stakeholder engagement to elevate user satisfaction.

- With experience in writing, editing and publishing digital content, you are able to make complex language and technical processes easy to understand, utilising data to drive content decision making and confidently adapting your style to meet different audience needs. 

- You understand government accessibility requirements and can design content that works with common assistive technologies.

- An ability to work at pace in an ambiguous and evolving environment and use an iterative and flexible approach to enable rapid delivery when required. 

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, Strengths and Experience.

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 demonstrate how you meet the skills and experience highlighted within the job description.

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

The sift will be conducted on the personal statement. 

The interview will consist of behaviour and strength based questions.  

Interviewees will be asked to deliver a presentation; further details will be provided nearer the time. 

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 08/04/2024

Interview dates: w/c 22/04/2024

Interview Location: MS Teams.

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

Further Information

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

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.