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

Do you enjoy fascinating analytical challenges that support critical, high-profile policy making? Then this could be a great role for you! Central Energy and Emissions Modelling is a friendly team of around 30 analysts. We develop and apply some of the Department's key energy and emissions models, supporting decision makers in decarbonising our energy system.

**Whole energy systems modelling**

As our economy transitions to net zero, it is essential to consider the energy system as a whole - understanding the complex interactions between such sectors as power, residential, industry and transport and the different ways in which our energy might be supplied, managed, and consumed in the future.

We are recruiting new analysts to support our expanding whole systems modelling capacity. Your role will be to support the development and use of the powerful UK TIMES model - the government's whole energy systems model - to help explore exciting questions around how we can meet future energy demand and reduce our emissions in a cost-effective way. For example, the UK TIMES model will be central to the analysis and setting of the 7th Carbon budget.

Development will include making the model more flexible and intuitive for users, as well as updating the model to ensure it uses the latest evidence. Initial re-development projects have focussed on improving the way in which we visualise the model’s outputs as well as thinking about how to address uncertainty within the model. This has created ongoing opportunities to apply data science and coding techniques.

This role also offers the opportunity to enhance your analytical skills and collaborate with a huge range of partners across policymaking, industry, and academia.

(See here for further details on UK TIMES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOV5Q0e_RW0

Person specification

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the use of UK TIMES in generating net zero pathways/scenarios (i.e., what a future UK net zero energy system could look like), and to help determine the role different parts of the energy system can play in hitting our net zero targets.

• Applying coding and data science skills to improve the functionality of the model across several important areas, e.g., visualisation and understanding uncertainty.

• Working across government and academia to ensure we have the latest evidence on policy impacts, energy demands, resource availability, technological costs, and deployment – to inform our modelling.

• Potential to manage research and development contracts as necessary to support wider model development.

Skills and experience

We would love to hear from you if you have:

• Experience of model development or improvement.
• Excellent quantitative and analytical skills, with interest and experience in modelling and programming.
  
• Collaborative spirit, a love of problem solving and willingness to take initiative when opportunities to make a difference present themselves.
  
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to adapt your approach to suit the needs of your audience.
  
• You must possess a 2:1 or higher numerate degree, or a 2:2 with relevant work experience or postgraduate qualification.
• An interest in (or curiosity about!) the future energy system and our transition to net zero

Memberships

None required prior to application. If you are a member of one of the following government analytical professions: Government Operational Research Service (GORS), Government Statistics Group (GSG) or Government Social Research profession (GSR) - we will assess you against the criteria for your current profession at the grade for the advertised post.  If you are not already a member of one of these government professions, we will assess you against the GORS competencies and, if successful, you will become a member of GORS.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,470, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero contributes £10,116 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 500 words) to demonstrate “Successful experience working on model development – please set out how you worked collaboratively with others, and prioritised the work you undertook, to ensure the final model/analysis offered the best possible insight.” Please see the person specification for the skills and experiences we are looking for you to demonstrate.

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 - GORS: Impact with Analysis; GSG: Presenting and disseminating data effectively; GSR: Using and promoting social research.

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 22/01/2024

Interview dates: w/c 05/02/2024

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 /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.