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

We are looking for 2 EOs to take up these fast-paced and exciting roles as Personal Assistants and Business Management Support Officer to four Deputy Directors in NZ Buildings: Portfolio & Affordability Directorate (PAD).

NZ Buildings: Portfolio & Affordability is taking on some of the biggest challenges when it comes to action on climate change. Almost all the UK carbon emissions from heating will need to be zero by 2050.

NZ Buildings: Portfolio & Affordability comprises 1 Director, 7 Deputy Directors, and around 180 staff. It's a great place to work,with a sociable and fun atmosphere where everyone is encouraged to share their ideas and opinions in a safe environment. If you're interested in this exciting opportunity, please apply.

These roles require organisation and detail. You will need excellent interpersonal skills and be comfortable interacting with senior officials and stakeholders. You will play a critical role in helping to deliver the organisation's objectives by providing high-quality administrative and diary support to Deputy Directors.

You will also be a member of the business management team supporting in the smooth running of the directorate, as well as working closely with a wide range of stakeholders, with the opportunity to tackle projects and tasks to aid the development of the wider directorate and group.

As a Department, we are supportive of developing our staff. The successful candidate will be supported to undertake the Level 3 Business Admin apprenticeship to support them in the role, if eligible to do so.

Role 1 - Diary management for:
Deputy Directors for Warm Homes Fuel Poverty & Energy Bills Support Scheme Great Britain and Ireland (Job share), Deputy Director for Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Fund & Energy Company Obligations and Business Management Support Officer.

Role 2 - Diary management for:
Deputy Director for Portfolio, Deputy Director for Portfolio Strategy and Business Management Support Officer.

Person specification

Responsibilities include (not exhaustive):

- Build rapport with the Deputy Director to establish a diary system that supports and maximises their time.

- Maintain knowledge of the Deputy Director's work and responsibilities to ensure tasks and meetings are prioritised effectively and directors have a forward look of their diaries, receive reminders for upcoming deadlines/events.

- Work together with colleagues across the department, wider civil service and external partner organisations to organise meetings and events, ensuring clashes are foreseen and resolved.

- Respond to any last minute changes in a prompt, proactive and professional manner, sometimes under tight time pressure.

- Book meeting rooms and desks, as well as organising sometimes complex travel arrangements as required for the Deputy Directors.

- General team support to assist each Deputy Director in organising their team meetings and events, updating staffing organograms and email distribution lists, coordinating team away day planning and other tasks.

- General corporate support as part of the directorate business management team i.e. supporting the in year award leads to deliver the scheme, edit and update core information documents, managing the shared business management mailbox and sending communications to teams and the wider directorate.

- Drafting correspondence on behalf of the business management team and cascading messages and communications across the wider directorate in a professional and timely manner.

- Providing secretariat support for corporate meetings such as Town Halls, and other meetings.

- Opportunity to lead on small projects related to directorate office support - such as Office Champions, In Year Awards, Away Day planning.

Essential Skills and Experience

We are looking for a self-starter with:

- Prior or similar Personal Assistant experience with an enthusiastic passion and dedication to the line of work.

- Ability to communicate and build rapport with senior leaders and other stakeholders, both internal and external.

- Good judgement and clear communication skills.

- The knack for discreteness to handle critical information with confidentiality.

- The ability to react promptly and professionally and to work well at pace.

- Experience using Office 365 packages Outlook, Word, Ms Teams and Excel.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £25,310, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero contributes £6,833 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 give evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the responsibilities, skills and experience requirements outlined above.

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 personal statement.

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.