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/  

Please note DESNZ are currently reviewing our terms and conditions and pay arrangements following Machinery of Government changes and as part of the outstanding August 2023 pay award. Please be aware there may be changes to terms and conditions and pay ranges listed in this advert ahead of you starting in post.  

Job description

Join ICS Digital, where innovation meets expertise to create digital solutions. We are a cohesive digital community who work in the open, solving problems together and fostering a culture of transparency and collaboration. Our commitment to user-focused design and data-driven decision-making ensures that we deliver accessible services tailored to the needs of our customers.

The role

We are seeking a proactive Executive Assistant looking to develop a career in a digital team. If you have ambition to drive forward top priority work in a fast-paced environment, then we encourage you to apply.   

The successful candidate will support two Digital Deputy Directors. This is a dynamic role providing the opportunity to work within a small cohort in the Director’s Office. 

The candidate's primary responsibility will be to provide a variety of secretarial and administrative support, managing diaries, correspondence, and acting as a key link between internal and external stakeholders in a complex stakeholder environment which includes a large network of Private Offices.

The successful candidate will ensure both Deputy Directors are able to use their time effectively and will be able to quickly adapt to diary changes and new information, working to various deadlines and priorities.

The ideal individual will have the ability to exercise good judgement in a variety of situations, with strong written and verbal communication, administrative, and organisational skills, and the ability to maintain a realistic balance among multiple priorities.

The candidate must be able to work under pressure at times to handle a wide variety of activities and confidential matters with discretion and be able to use their time effectively and quickly adapt to diary changes and new information.

The role involves working on digital platforms, such as across various M365 applications. All the necessary digital tools and equipment will be provided to enable the post holder to effectively carry out all duties and tasks.   

Person specification

As Executive Assistant your key duties will include -  - Managing the inbox and diaries for two Deputy Directors with good judgement, prioritisation, discretion, and professionalism. Ensuring time is effectively managed to tackle the most important issues. - Maintaining oversight of the Deputy Directors' priorities and reflect these in the arrangement of meetings. - Using judgement and initiative to proactively signpost issues and tasks arising from the inbox, ensuring deadlines are met.  - Appropriately sharing information and tasks from the inbox with teams to maximise efficiency and the Deputy Directors’ time, ensuring matters are managed in their absence. - Building effective networks and relationships across a complex stakeholder environment. - Commissioning actions and outputs on behalf of the Deputy Directors with internal and external stakeholders. - Ensuring a record is kept of correspondence and documents in line with the Department’s Information Management principles.  - Making travel arrangements and accommodation bookings ensuring value for money and keeping clear records for transparency.  - Researching and booking appropriate venues and meeting spaces, including drafting agendas for Away Days and team events. - Deputising for colleagues in Director’s Office during periods of varying business need. Skills and experience: Essential criteria: - Highly organised individual with the ability to manage multiple tasks. - Diary and inbox management experience.  - Excellent communication skills. Must be confident dealing with individuals at varying levels of seniority in person, via email or via teams. - Track record or building and managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders. - Confident in working independently and making informed decisions with discretion. Desirable Criteria:  - Good working knowledge of Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, SharePoint and Outlook.  - Demonstrable experience of providing a broad range of administrative tasks in a fast-paced environment and to deadlines.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £25,310, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero contributes £6,833 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 500 words) to explain how you meet the requirements for this role, based on the criteria in the job advert.

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

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 strength based questions.  

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 06/05/24

Interview dates: w/c 20/05/24

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.