About the job

Job summary

DESNZ

The responsibilities for the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero for 2023 are as follows: 

• Delivering security of energy supply 
• Ensuring properly functioning energy markets 
• Encouraging greater energy efficiency 
• Seizing the opportunities of net zero to lead the world in new green industries 

For 2023, our priorities are: 

• Ensure security of energy supply this winter, next winter and in the longer-term – bringing down energy bills and reducing inflation. 
• Ensure the UK is on track to meet its legally binding Net Zero commitments and support economic growth by significantly speeding up delivery of network infrastructure and domestic energy production. 
• Improve the energy efficiency of UK homes, businesses and public sector buildings to meet the 15% demand reduction ambition. 
• Deliver current schemes to support energy consumers with their bills and develop options for long-term reform to improve how the electricity market works for families and businesses. 
• Seize the economic benefits of Net Zero, including the jobs and growth created through investment in new green industries. 
• Pass the Energy Bill to support the emerging CCUS and hydrogen sectors; to update the governance of the energy system; and to reduce the time taken to consent offshore wind. 

Our Inclusive Environment

We are building an inclusive culture to make the Department a brilliant 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 offer first-class flexible working benefits, excellent employee well-being support and a great pension. 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.

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

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 energy statistics team monitor all aspects of energy use within the UK, and our work is vital for numerous flagship government policies including delivering Net Zero, eliminating fuel poverty and maintaining security of energy supply. We are looking for up to two experienced data scientists to join our existing in-house digital transformation team, to expedite our adoption of digital best practice.

You will join our Grade 6-led Data Systems Development team, a small data science team operating within the wider Energy Statistics division. We provide technical support and data science training to around 40 analyst customers, enabling them to transform old data processing workflows into Reproducible Analytical Pipelines (RAPs) written in Python and SQL, with Git version control. You will also be a technical maintainer of our in-house RAP-enabling Python package, delivering new functionality, managing planned releases and hotfixes, and prioritising team development work through our established agile workflow.

The team also includes two excellent junior data scientists whose development and activity management you will support, likely in a line management capacity.

If you are an experienced data scientist who is keen on a role that balances technical code development and supporting data science development in others then we look forward to hearing from you.

Person specification

The energy statistics team monitor all aspects of energy use within the UK, and our work is vital for numerous flagship government policies including delivering Net Zero, eliminating fuel poverty and maintaining security of energy supply. We are looking for up to two experienced data scientists to join our existing in-house digital transformation team, to expedite our adoption of digital best practice.

You will join our Grade 6-led Data Systems Development team, a small data science team operating within the wider Energy Statistics division. We provide technical support and data science training to around 40 analyst customers, enabling them to transform old data processing workflows into Reproducible Analytical Pipelines (RAPs) written in Python and SQL, with Git version control. You will also be a technical maintainer of our in-house RAP-enabling Python package, delivering new functionality, managing planned releases and hotfixes, and prioritising team development work through our established agile workflow.

The team also includes two excellent junior data scientists whose development and activity management you will support, likely in a line management capacity.

If you are an experienced data scientist who is keen on a role that balances technical code development and supporting data science development in others then we look forward to hearing from you

Skills and experience

We would love to hear from your if you can demonstrate experience against the following criteria, which will be assessed in your personal statement:

• Developing data science capability: You can support others to develop their data science capability and apply data science skills in their own work [Note that we will assess this lead criterion at sift stage via a separate technical competency, so you do not need to also cover this criterion in your personal statement]

• Programming: You have strong expertise in processing data using either Python or R, and are keen to use both Python and SQL as part of this role.

• Data engineering: You have experience using Git for code collaboration and are able to support others with basic Git usage. You are confident using data science tools commonly used for RAP, such as SQL databases, IDEs, package managers, common Python/R libraries, dashboards or reproducible reporting. (This list is illustrative, not exhaustive, and experience in every one of these is not required) 

• Data science innovation: You demonstrate broad knowledge of data science tools and techniques, which you have creatively deployed to solve analytical or business problems.

• Business delivery: You can design and manage processes to gather and establish user needs, and deliver technical solutions that deliver the best user solution given the available resource and time constraints.

• Communication: You can effectively communicate technical data science concepts (such as Git branching or package management) to less experienced colleagues. You can effectively listen to colleagues who are sharing details of technical issues, and involve relevant teams and managers as appropriate. 

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, Experience and Technical skills.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement and a technical skills example.

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

Please use your personal statement (in no more than 1000 words) to detail how you meet the five criteria for the role as detailed in the Skills and Experience section of this job advert. You are strongly advised to structure your personal statement into sections that align to these criteria. Note that the criterion for "Developing data science capability" is assessed separately at sift stage via a technical competency and so does not need to also be included in your personal statement.

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

Applications will be sifted on personal statement and any technical skills required. 

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the lead technical skill - Developing Data Science Capability.

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 technical questions.

Interviewees will be asked to deliver a presentation; further details will be provided nearer the time.

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 15/01/2024

Interview dates: w/c 22/01/2024

Interview Location: MS Teams.

Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.

Further Information

This vacancy is being offered on the DDaT Pay Framework and can include an allowance of up to £15,000 depending on skills, qualifications, and experience. Further details on the framework can be found on https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/data-scientist.html#lead-data-scientist

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.