About the job

Job summary

About the team: 

The Energy Transition team sits as part of the wider Energy team within the Construction, Infrastructure, and Energy Directorate in Business Group. Our goal is to maximise the economic value of the UK’s transition to a low-carbon energy system. We do this by supporting investment into, growth, and export of UK goods and services.  

We are a diverse, friendly, and enthusiastic team that is actively encouraging applications from as diverse a set of candidates as we can get. If you are from a minority group, interested in the role but uncertain about your suitability, please drop us a line – we would be happy to have a chat.  

A little about the role: 

The North Sea, as one of the world’s most mature oil and gas basins, has become an incubator of significant decommissioning expertise. UK services, goods, regulation, and guidance are in demand globally and UK expertise, technology, and regulatory frameworks position it well to offer offshore decommissioning services globally. By strategically aligning with emerging markets and fostering policy coherence, UK supply chain companies can tap into significant opportunities. The global offshore decommissioning market was valued at $5.58 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a rate of 7.4% per annum to reach an annual figure of $10.61 billion by 2031.  

The role holder will lead a team of three to deliver DBT’s work on decommissioning exports under the banner of an HMG-industry strategy published in March 2023.

Alongside this, the team account manages several major industry players and works to identify/address issues preventing the transitions of UK O&G capabilities into emerging and established clean energy technologies, such as wind. The team also provides insights and support for our international network on HMG’s international fossil fuels policy. Introduced in 2021, this policy restricts what DBT, and wider HMG can support overseas in the O&G sector. 

This is a dual role, with the post holder expected to lead the team, as well as provide ‘industry expertise’ that we generally source through contingent labour contracts.

A background in oil and gas, an excellent understanding of the sector in the UK, and good connections with key players are, therefore, essential. 

Job description

• Leading a team of 3 civil servants with a strong focus on people, inclusivity, and opportunity; ensuring proper resource management. 

• Delivering on DBT’s Global Offshore Upstream Decommissioning export strategy, including: 

• Developing and delivering export campaigns aligned to UK capability, international demand, and DBT’s ability to positively influence. 

• Expanding the strategy to incorporate other leading decommissioning expertise and opportunities, including sectors like offshore wind. 

• Developing a coherent decommissioning offer and working to up-skill our international network on the merits of UK expertise in this area. 

• Delivering on DBT’s Energy transition ambitions, including: 

• Working with x-Whitehall partners to increase focus on the protection and growth of existing UK capabilities and their applications in clean energy. 

• Working with key industry partners to identify and champion UK clean energy developers to corral UK supply chain expertise for international opportunities. 

• Providing support across DBT on O&G legacy issues. 

• Supporting the DBT Ukraine Reconstruction team by providing technical input and rallying supply chain support for immediate and long-term requirements to assist in the repair and reconstruction of Ukraine’s damaged energy infrastructure. 

• Across all areas: 

• Tracking technical and market developments through excellent links with industry and Government counterparts to inform decision making and priorities. 

• Seeking to influence relevant domestic policy development to improve investment, growth, and export outcomes. 

• Ensure the team has the environment and resources to ensure high quality and timely input and representation across channels, including briefings, Parliamentary questions, submissions etc. 

Person specification

Essential Criteria 

• Strong technical knowledge across decommissioning work breakdown structure to enable championing of the emerging technologies and innovative practices that can be employed to further enhance the UK’s globally leading position in the sector. 

• Senior UK and international management experience with a comprehensive technical understanding of upstream, midstream and downstream oil & gas sectors.  

• Experience of managing energy projects / programmes.  

• Commercial experience of leading and managing capture strategies for contracts, especially in international markets. 

• International Business Development experience.  

• Deep knowledge of UK supply chain experience and capability and access to a wide range of industry contacts. 

• Understanding of the complex regulatory and policy environment for oil and gas production and decommissioning, as well as the technical implications that underpin HMG’s international fossil fuel policy. 

• Extensive contacts within the energy industry. You should be able to reach out to most relevant major companies without introduction.  

• Must be able to attain SC clearance. 

Desirable Criteria  

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability of creating and working in multidisciplinary Teams. 

• Ability to directly support upskilling of generalist civil service colleagues. 

• Understanding of the wider climate challenges within the market looking to achieve net zero.

Personal Attributes & Skills 

• Shown proven leadership to drive change within slow moving external organisations. 

• Ability to understand the ramifications of new policies on the energy and decommissioning sectors and translate this into intelligent advice for Ministers and the wider team.

• Ability to communicate complex problems, technologies, and ideas to an inexpert audience.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £64,432, Department for Business and Trade contributes £17,396 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.

Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.

Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.

After the closing date It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks after the closing date though this is subject to change. 

To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:    

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Provide employment history that relates to the essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages. 
• A Personal Statement of up to 500 words, explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential criteria.   

In the event that there is a high volume of applicants, a short sift will be conducted based on Personal statement only. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview. 

Reasonable Adjustments

We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment: 

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. 

Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.  

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Candidate Support

You may want to join a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.  

Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department. 

Further Information:

• A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences.   
• Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.
• The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.  
• New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.  
• 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. Any applicant who has 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.  
• Terms and Conditions are attached.  Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
• Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland/Access NI 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 

For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk 

Vetting

The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). 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.