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

We are recruiting a G7 to join the gas systems, networks and markets (GSNM) team within the Energy Security and Resilience Directorate. Our energy security remains hugely dependent on a reliable, resilient and affordable supply of gas and, while we are committed to our Net Zero targets, we know we will need natural gas for heating and energy for many decades to come.

GSNM has the responsibility for ensuring that the Department takes a system wide view of the gas system’s transition to Net Zero, in a way that is affordable, secure and greener. Our objective is clear and in helping shape how the UK is powered and heated in decades to come, it is of significant importance to the whole country and economy. This work will include working with existing gas networks to help enable the introduction of low carbon gases, such as biomethane, hydrogen and carbon dioxide for sequestration, ensuring gas storage provides short and long term and flexible resilience, as well as identifying what parts of the system might be decommissioned or repurposed.

We are working closely alongside many policy teams across the department, regulators and system operator to deliver the system-wide changes needed. You will be joining the team at an exciting time as we have stood up a new Departmental Future of Gas Programme to track, deliver and manage the strands of work needed to transition the system, and the inter dependencies between these work streams.

You will be leading a team to coordinate all the work streams together in to a coherent strategy for the transition, as well having oversight for specific and multiple work strands within the strategy, for example to develop sound evidence base for future scenarios, system requirements and system governance. You will also be leading the delivery and governance of the Programme through tracking milestones and risks.

We work as a supportive team that looks to develop and build on the diverse skills and experiences of everyone. Building an inclusive team is a priority for us. We work flexibly across 5 offices around the UK, and we are a multidisciplinary team that brings together many Civil Service professions which aims to promote a culture of learning from each other.

Person specification

We are looking for someone who can:

• Develop and deliver policy that supports the transition of the decarbonisation of the gas system, while balancing security of supply.
• Lead the development of a departmental view of the gas system in 2050 and how we get there whilst meeting our net zero and decarbonisation targets.
• Co-ordinate between policies and working collaboratively with the team and internal and external stakeholders.
• Programme manage the workplan and risk register.
• Build and own relationships with key partners, providing strategic direction and developing support for our long-term gas strategy.
• Lead relationships to ensure the team are best positioned to understand emerging opportunities and risks, and take timely and informed decisions.
• Oversee, define and deliver effective governance processes throughout the programme.
• Establish project controls to track project delivery, reporting on project progress and status to appropriate stakeholders.
• Work with a dedicated analytical team to scope, design and implement scenarios, systems requirements and modelling.
• Effectively line manage a small effective team, by supporting personal development and excellent performance.

A background in energy or gas is not essential.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Have experience of working with and leading external stakeholders.
• Have excellent interpersonal and people leadership skills to work with teams, professions and across organisations.   
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate complex matters to different audiences.  
• Have strong problem-solving skills and the ability to grapple with complex issues.
• Have an eye for detail and be able to work both collaboratively and autonomously, to build joined up strategies that anticipate long-term impacts.
• Be proactive and have a real passion for their job, and be inspired by the work they do and the impact it has.
• Have analytical skills and ability to weigh up sources of evidence to formulate pragmatic options, considering delivery viability throughout.    
• Able to lead and line manage a team effectively and to activity manage on priority policies. 
• Be able to project manage a programme of work to that tracks milestones and monitors risks.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £50,305, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero contributes £13,582 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, personal statement and behavioural statements. 

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 briefly outline your key skills and experience that demonstrate your suitability for this role.

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

Applications will be sifted on behavioural statements and personal statement.

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the lead behaviour statement (Leadership).

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.

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 12/02/2024

Interview dates: w/c 26/02/2024

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 and 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.