About the job

Job summary

Ofgem works on behalf of energy consumers to ensure that every household and business in the UK can rely on a safe, affordable and environmentally sustainable energy supply.  We are playing a vital part in accelerating the transition to Net Zero and a carbon neutral energy system.   

We are working alongside government to deliver the largest electricity market reform in a generation (REMA) – to ensure the sector can decarbonise in an affordable and secure way. Ofgem is central to this effort, providing key economic and policy insights to aid government decisions and sector-wide reforms. This is a high profile team and project with plenty of senior exposure and ability to influence.  

As the go-to expert in a multi-disciplinary team you’ll advise policy colleagues across Ofgem and government, as well as well as the most senior decision makers within Ofgem. Leading the analysis on market design based on deep understanding of how different parts of electricity markets interact.  

Planning and overseeing the delivery of projects, you’ll support colleagues to meet deadlines and high standards. You’ll coach junior analysts, enable knowledge sharing and collaborate closely with other teams to manage interdependencies, risks and resourcing. You’ll also work with our Communications team, advising on external messaging around wholesale market developments and affected policy.    

You’ll bring experience of working as an internal expert in a complex environment, where you worked collaboratively with a diverse range of colleagues. You should also be confident advising and challenging senior leaders on strategic and operational performance related matters.  

We’re looking for you to have specialist knowledge of electricity wholesale markets, ancillary services, balancing mechanism, access and network charging, capacity markets, and renewable support mechanisms. With this you’ll have a deep understanding of supply and demand drivers in the GB and European power markets, along with knowledge of the range of related data sources and how to apply them.  

Ofgem embraces a culture of inclusion, where the diversity of our team members is celebrated, driving innovation and improving our representation of the consumers and communities we advocate for. We offer a welcoming environment that promotes genuine self-expression. 
https://buytickets.at/ofgem/1160247

Job description

Open Event

We are running a Virtual Open Event to give candidates the opportunity to learn more about working for Ofgem and discuss the roles we have available in more detail. This virtual event will be on Thursday 29th February 12:30pm-13:30pm, to attend please register via: https://buytickets.at/ofgem/1160247

The successful candidate will be initially deployed in the Wholesale Market Reform team in the Energy Systems Management & Security (ESMS) Directorate, within the Policy and Strategy profession. This is a high-profile, technical and fast-changing area of work that requires effective collaboration with multiple teams and Directorates across Ofgem and effective working with DESNZ, ESO and other key stakeholders. You will join at a critical period that will require the application of strong analytical, policy and influencing skills to ensure future market arrangements enable consumers to benefit fully from a low carbon, and cost-effective flexible electricity system.

Flexible Resourcing
Ofgem operates a flexible working model. Longer-term, you will have the opportunity to work flexibly across Ofgem on a range of projects.

Person specification

Key Outputs and Deliverables

• Briefings and updates on key market developments, including for senior level internal and external stakeholders.
• Leading the development of policy options on wholesale market, network access and charges issues to inform decision making.
• Providing expertise wholesale market, network access and charges issues for crucial projects within Ofgem, including periods of flexible deployment.
• Developing and improving regular reports to ensure the team provides necessary and useful information to stakeholders.
• Lead internal procurement process and managing deliverables by external consultants.
• Mentoring and coaching more junior analysts with their skills and professional development.

Support the development of a high-performing team based on effective resource management, ongoing support and professional development

• Provide expert guidance to help team members deliver, by building supportive, inclusive team environment based on trust-based relationships, transparency and inclusivity.
• Takes ownership for own continued expert development and other team members’ professional development relating to the role by:
• Identifying your own continued professional development.
• Providing ongoing coaching and identification of development opportunities.
• Provide advice and support for colleagues who are pursuing professional qualifications.

Key Stakeholder Relationships

Internal

• Wholesale Market Oversight and International portfolio, Market Operations & Signals Portfolio, Market Design Portfolio and aspects of Retail Markets (e.g. price cap wholesale market interactions)
• Communications team (regarding external messaging around wholesale market developments and affected policy)

Essential Criteria

• Specialist knowledge of electricity markets – preferably across as many of the following topics: wholesale market, balancing mechanism, ancillary services, renewable support mechanisms (eg CfDs) and networks charges and access (LEAD)
• Experience of working in a complex environment, acting as an internal expert – advising and challenging senior leaders on strategic and operational performance related matters, with the ability to effectively communicate complex issues to non-expert audiences.
• Extensive experience working collaboratively with diverse colleagues and strong influencing skills
• Proven experience of managing and delivering projects against challenging deadlines with minimal supervision, and the ability to react appropriately to fast changing circumstances and unforeseen challenges
• Proven experience of delivering analytical work on energy markets and ability to critically evaluate the work of others.

Desirable Criteria

• Responsible for building and supporting the teams delivering the work including effective scoping of work and setting of clear responsibilities.
• Analytical mindset – in particular the ability to interpret and critique outputs large scale energy systems models and the assumptions they are based on large scale energy systems models  

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £58,520, OFGEM contributes £15,120 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.

When you press the ‘Apply now’ button, you will be asked to complete personal details (not seen by the sift panel), your career history and qualifications.  

You will then be asked to provide a 1250 word ‘personal statement’ evidencing how you meet the essential skills and capabilities listed in the role profile. Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within your supporting statement, how you meet each of the essential  skills and capabilities.

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.