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

Would you like to deliver critical policies for addressing climate change? In 2019, the UK legislated to have “net zero” carbon emissions by 2050, meaning we will no longer be a net emitter of greenhouse gases which contribute to climate change.

Carbon Capture Usage and Storage (CCUS) is part of this ambition. Power stations (both gas fired and bio-energy fuelled) with CCUS technology will be a critical element of the energy transition, ensuring energy security while reducing emissions to achieve Net Zero.

As a result, this is an exciting time to join the CCUS team as we look to deliver on the commitments in the recent Powering Up Britain publication, gaining momentum following the announcement of a negotiating shortlist for Track-1 of the CCUS Cluster Sequencing Process, and the commitment to launch both Track-2 and a process to expand the Track-1 clusters.

Across the roles you will;

- Lead workstreams focused on policy and strategy development. This may entail the development of detailed policy processes, developing the strategic case for gas CCS or power BECCS and complex and detailed policy development within the energy sector.

- Develop innovative policy solutions to incentivise a future pipeline of power CCUS projects with the support of policy, technical, legal, financial and economic advisers.

- Work with the wider CCUS directorate, colleagues from across DESNZ and other Government departments, and in the sector to deliver policy that incentivises investment whilst maintaining value for money for consumers.

- Inspire and influence others, contributing to a collaborative and inclusive environment where people feel they belong, and their contribution is valued.

Power Carbon Capture and Storage (power CCUS) 

There are two roles within the power CCUS team. These are;

- Policy Adviser - Gas CCS Policy Development

The policy adviser role in Gas CCS is to lead on work that drives forward the future policy framework to put us on a path to potentially deliver up to 10GW of gas CCS by 2035. You will be supporting the development and implementation of policies and objectives to decarbonise the gas power sector and secure security of power supply for the UK. The role will involve managing engagement and relationship with industry and external stakeholders, and, implementing complex processes, including programme management, information management, analysis of risks & issues and assessment of applications submitted by power CCUS projects. 

- Policy Adviser – Power CCUS Deployment

You will be part of the delivery team undertaking commercial negotiations with our industry counterparts to deliver on Track 1 of the Cluster Sequencing Process. This role also involves delivering and developing the policy, within the wider programme and ensuring applicability to any future policy decision.

Power Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (power BECCS)

There are two roles within the power BECCS team. These are;

- Policy Adviser – power BECCS Strategy and Deployment

This is an exciting role at the centre of setting the current and future strategy for power BECCS technologies. You will be at the frontline to see projects go from policy discussion to commercial negotiation, to deployment, and our strategic direction beyond that. You will lead on a range of policy areas including developing an approach to stakeholder engagement, supporting on the strategy for future policy arrangements and deployment for power BECCS investment support allocation.

- Policy Adviser – power BECCS Business Model Development

This role is at the forefront of policy implementation, focused on developing and delivering key policy decisions with a wide range of stakeholders. You will be supporting the development of ambitious policies to incentivise investment in power BECCS projects which could provide critical negative emissions to help the UK reach net zero emissions and achieve our carbon budgets, which is cutting edge policy and an exciting area to work in.

Across all four roles, successful candidates will need to be adaptable and flexible in their approach to work. You could be asked to move to different roles as and when required to help deliver key priority areas of the CCUS programme.

We would love to hear from you if you are a policy professional with a background in the public or private sector and an interest in climate and energy policy. We are looking for candidates who enjoy thinking strategically and making policy.

We are a friendly and inclusive team. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and can accommodate flexible working arrangements for successful candidates.

We have a presence across five DESNZ sites (London, Salford, Darlington, Birmingham and Cardiff) and welcome applicants applying to any of our Places for Growth locations.

Person specification

You will be supporting development of ambitious policies to incentivise investment in power CCUS and power BECCS projects which could provide critical negative emissions to help the UK reach net zero emissions and achieve our carbon budgets

Key responsibilities include;

- Supporting and coordinating work with a multidisciplinary team of advisors and analysts, ensuring robust analysis of complex information.

- Supporting strategy on future policy arrangements for power CCUS investment support allocation, as required

- Presenting analysis and consequential clear and concise policy/decision proposals to senior leadership, ministers and external partners.

- Delivering internal management papers, external reports, consultations and impact assessments.

- Representing DESNZ in senior and working level external meetings with the power sector and cross-Whitehall.

- Programme management, analysis of risk & issues related to the areas of work assigned.

- Line managing members of staff, depending on specific role and experience of the successful candidate, as well as responsible for matrix managing other team members’ work.

- Providing high quality advice and briefing to Ministers, Senior Civil Servants and CCUS Policy and cross-Whitehall Steering Boards

- Maintaining and implementing a detailed stakeholder strategy and action plan.

Skills and experience

Essential criteria

An interest in developing strategy and turning it into implementable policy in line with the policy adviser function.

Ability to deliver the policy adviser function through assessing and distilling evidence, including financial and complex technical information, quickly to decide on policy proposals.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including presentation skills and report drafting.

Ability to establish, build and maintain collaborative and positive relationships with diverse stakeholders.

Good relationship building skills and experience in managing multiple industry and/or government partners.

Ability to lead and work across a team, providing inputs to others and collaborating on interface areas.

Good project management skills in order to organise, prioritise and effectively meet ambitious and/or competing timelines.

Strong analytical skills with ability to think critically, validate and analyse complex data and to challenge information, both quantitatively and qualitatively.

Desirable criteria

Experience in the power sector, working on policy and market design, as well as commercial or contractual arrangements.

Experience in policy making focused on incentivising investment in infrastructure whilst maintaining value for money.

An appreciation of the evolving power market policy landscape, as well as technical understanding of power generation and/or CCUS technology would also be desirable.

An understanding of energy market frameworks and/or energy project finance is also advantageous.

Proven ability to deliver consistently to tight timescales with a high degree of visibility

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, Strengths and Experience.

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

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 describe how your skills, experience and knowledge make you a good candidate for a role working on delivering the government's power CCUS and/or power BECCS ambitions

Applications will be sifted on CV 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 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

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.