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 of 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 keen to join a friendly, multidisciplinary team comprising of 17 staff covering a range of policy and support services?

The Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) is part of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. It's key role is to:
• Develop, coordinate and implement the environmental regime.
• Handle domestic and international policy to develop the environmental regulatory framework.
• Coordinate the offshore decommissioning regime and ensure that the liability for such activity stays with the appropriate companies.

In accordance with Treasury guidelines, OPRED charges industry for the activities we carry out on its behalf, recovering around £8 million through fees each year.

This post offers an exciting chance to work alongside colleagues to ensure that OPRED accurately bills and recovers its costs. You will have the opportunity to develop an understanding of the different regulations which grant us charging powers and collaborate with administrative and specialist staff and senior management when analysing information. You will be working in an encouraging environment with a strong emphasis on development, innovation and improvement.

We are building a broad culture to make OPRED a forward-thinking place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it will help us be more innovative and make better decisions.

We actively seek applications from anyone who shares our dedication for inclusion. We will fully support candidates with a disability or long-term condition who require adjustments in our recruitment process.   

Person specification

This is a permanent HEO post within OPRED Corporate Hub. Your key role will be to manage a portfolio of companies, take forward the review of our existing environmental fees regime and support your colleagues in developing their knowledge of the regulatory charging powers. The role will require a keen eye for detail, a curiosity for problem solving and continuous improvement coupled with excellent communication and influencing skills. You will

• be required to develop a detailed understanding of multiple charging regulations to ensure staff are correctly identifying and recording chargeable and non-chargeable activities within their time records.

• have responsibility for checking and collating the information from individual time records submitted on a weekly basis. In doing so, you will work closely with both specialist and generalist staff to resolve issues at an early stage.

• have the opportunity to provide advice and guidance to senior management through analysis of the time records data, production of monthly and quarterly reports, which include forecast fee income and significant trends/issues that have been identified, and additional ad-hoc analysis as identified.

• work in the team to update guidance for staff and deliver one to one support/team training where required.

• prepare and issue quarterly bills to around 60 companies within your own portfolio, proactively investigating and resolving any subsequent queries.

• work closely with your fees colleague to continue to improve the fee regime and provide cover during periods of leave.

Skills and Experience 

We would love to hear from you if you:
• are adaptable and able to manage a varied portfolio of tasks.
• are confident working with, and where required challenging, senior managers, staff and industry.
• deliver a high-quality service.
• have excellent communication skills.

Desirable
• Experience of the oil and gas industry

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £31,120, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero contributes £8,402 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 and Experience.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, behaviour statements and a 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 provide details of your skills and experience that would allow you to succeed in this role.

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

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on 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.

Applications will be sifted on behavioural statements and personal statement.

The interview will consist of behaviour questions.

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 11/02/2024

Interview dates: 25/02/2024

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.