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 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

The Strategy Operations team works at the heart of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. We provide the central function for departmental planning, ensure cross-cutting departmental work is coordinated and delivered to a high standard, and provide resource to priority projects across the department. It has three main branches: Cross-Cutting Strategy and Planning; Briefings and Insights; and the Priority Projects Team.

This role is the co-lead the Regulatory Strategy and Coordination team within the Cross-Cutting Strategy and Planning branch. The Cross-Cutting Strategy and Planning branch plays a central role in coordinating key functions which span the whole of the department. We lead DESNZ's work on fiscal strategy (including coordinating DESNZ input into fiscal events such as Spring Budget), legislative strategy (leading our work on current/future legislation), regulatory strategy (leading our cross-cutting work on regulatory reform), and planning and priorities (providing a strategic lens to the DESNZ's work).

This role is responsible for DESNZ’s cross-cutting work on regulation across the department. It will oversee the department’s work to improve our approach to regulation across the full range of energy security and net zero policy areas, including working with teams to find new opportunities to improve our regulations and ease burdens on businesses and consumers.

This includes through implementing the Better Regulation framework, developing and delivering the department’s strategic approach to regulation, and coordinating our work to support cross-government initiatives. This is an exciting time to join the team, as we roll out the new Better Regulation framework within the department. This will impact almost all policy teams across the department, and will have a big influence on our future approach to developing and delivering policy.

The successful postholder will work across the department to support policy teams to navigate the regulatory process, including providing constructive challenge on alternatives to regulation. The role would ideally suit someone who enjoys building relationships across organisations, can deliver through others as a critical friend/source of support, and likes engaging with a variety of different policy areas.

The Strategy Operations team is a high-performing, fun, and welcome team. We are one of the teams which works closest with ministers and private office, special advisers, the centre of government, and the rest of Whitehall. Within DESNZ, it provides unparalleled opportunities to see the full breadth of the department's ambitious plans for energy security and net zero, and the workings of the heart of government.

Please note: this role is being advertised on a part-time and job-share basis only. The successful post holder will work alongside the existing Joint Head of Regulatory Strategy and Coordination to jointly lead the time. They currently work at 70% of full-time hours. The vacancy holder and existing Joint Head of Regulatory Strategy and Coordination are very happy to chat to potential applicants about potential working arrangements before you submit your application.

We will hold an open conversation with the successful candidate on whether to adopt a formal job share arrangement or not. The post is being advertised on both a part-time and job-share basis, and no preference will be given to candidates preferring one arrangement or the other.

The successful post-holder will be responsible, with the existing head of team, for jointly leading the Regulatory Strategy and Coordination branch.

This will include:

- Leading DESNZ's work on Smarter Regulation, following the Department for Business and Trade's 'Smarter regulation to grow the economy' policy proposals. This includes ensuring policy teams consider non-regulatory approaches to implementing policy, providing scrutiny of new regulation, and supporting work on the evaluation of new/existing policy.

- Overseeing our work to reform and revoke Retained EU Law, including by delivering legislation and identifying future opportunities to improve the UK’s regulatory framework.

- Implementing the UK's new Better Regulation framework within the department, supporting policy teams across the range of the department to apply the new framework and ensure a proportionate approach is taken to new/reformed regulatory requirements.

- Leading the development of DESNZ's strategic approach to regulation and regulatory reform within the department.

- Feeding into and influencing the design of cross-Government initiatives on regulation to ensure they align with the government’s energy security and net zero objectives.

- Working closely with the wider Better Regulation and Smarter Regulation communities across Whitehall to find new opportunities for collaboration, and pursue new opportunities to improve DESNZ's approach to regulation.

- Playing an active leadership role within the Cross-Cutting Planning and Strategy team.

Person specification

Skills and experience

We would particularly love to hear from you if you:

- Can bring a strategic focus to large programmes of work: identifying the key themes and opportunities across a range of different areas.

- Have experience of working on or leading areas of cross-cutting policy or initiatives.

- Enjoy building relationships across a wide range of different policy areas.

- Have previously worked on the development or evaluation of legislation. 

Training and support to get up-to-speed on regulation, energy security and net zero policy, and the Better Regulation/Smarter Regulation frameworks will be provided, and previous experience in this area is not essential.

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 behavioural statements.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Applications will be sifted on behavioural statements. 

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

The interview will consist of behaviours and strength based questions.  

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 11/03/2024

Interview dates: 18/03/2024

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.