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 it's impactful. Our 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 work 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/  

Please note DESNZ are currently reviewing our terms and conditions and pay arrangements following Machinery of Government changes and as part of the outstanding August 2023 pay award. Please be aware there may be changes to terms and conditions and pay ranges listed in this advert ahead of you starting in post. 

Job description

The Business Energy Transformation team is expanding to meet Government ambitions to deliver significant carbon and energy reductions in the 2020s and reach net zero emissions by 2050. The team's work is also central to delivering on the Government's commitment to reduce energy demand by 15% by 2030.

In these roles you will have the opportunity to shape and develop policy that will deliver much needed additional carbon savings in the 2020s. You will be part of our team carrying out external engagement with private sector organisations, sharing insights on how to deliver a 15% energy reduction by 2030, to ensure that we have an aligned action plan and that we are able to deliver the actions within our remit. This will include work to examine how we can streamline the reporting that businesses undertake on net zero and how we can better use the data to improve our policy making, delivering an expanded energy advice service in the UK, and developing policy to deliver additional savings from commercial buildings and industrial processes.

In these roles you will be a key part of a fantastic multidisciplinary team – working alongside project delivery professionals, professionals, analysts, engineers, commercial and delivery specialists. The team is sociable and supportive, and we encourage a culture of continuous learning and development.

We're recruiting to several roles, including:

• Policy Adviser – Energy Advice Service (EAS) expansion

• Policy Adviser – Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS)

• Policy Adviser – Combined Heat and Power Quality Assurance (CHPQA)

• Policy Adviser – Non-Domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)

Person specification

More information on the key responsibilities of the specific roles we’re recruiting to is included below.

Energy Advice Service (EAS) role: You will be part of a team developing policy to support SMEs in reducing their energy demand. This will involve considering the diversity of SMEs and the various policy levers that can be used.

Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) role: You will be part of a team strengthening the existing Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme. The scheme provides large organisations with recommendations to save energy and achieve carbon and cost savings. The work in this team will involve finalising policy decisions and working closely with the Environment Agency who administer the scheme.

Combined Heat and Power Quality Assurance (CHPQA) role: You will be part of a team managing an approx. £1million programme to deliver better quality cogeneration across the UK, which directly impacts the administration of various financial benefits totalling £400 million approx pa. Cogeneration technology is an efficient way of generating heat and power and is utilised across industrial, commercial and public sectors to drive energy efficiency and decarbonisation. A key focus of our work is decarbonising CHP which involves plenty of stakeholder engagement outside and inside government, for example hydrogen pathways. The work across all pillars of our programme, policy and digital work and there is opportunity to shape the role according to the holders development needs.

Non-Domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) role: You will be part of a team working at pace to develop existing regulations on non-domestic buildings in the private rented (PRS) and owner-occupied sectors (OO).

All roles may involve activity management (e.g. contractors and/or analysts) and line management.

Skills and Experience 

We would love to hear from you if you have a keen interest to work in a detailed area of energy policy and can:

• Communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing.

• Gather and present information from a variety of sources.

• Take a proactive and enthusiastic approach to your work.

We are looking for colleagues who are experienced in:

• Developing good working relationships with colleagues at all levels.

• Organising and prioritising your own workload.

Experience of working on energy or net zero policy is desirable but not required. We welcome applications from people who bring transferable skills from other fields or sectors.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £33,635, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero contributes £9,008 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 and Experience.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and behavioural statements.

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

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.

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

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 questions.

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 07/05/2024

Interview dates: w/c 13/05/2024

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.