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/  

Job description

The role is in the Energy Performance and Supplier Obligations team (EPSO). We are responsible for designing and delivering the largest domestic energy efficiency policy in Great Britain. ECO places a requirement on larger energy suppliers to install energy efficiency measures in low-income and vulnerable households to reduce fuel poverty. The current version, ECO4, will be in place until 2026 and is worth £4 billion. The team also delivers the Great British Insulation Scheme. Worth £1 billion, it delivers energy efficiency measures to a wider group of households, not just those in fuel poverty. You will have a vital role to play, implementing policy and delivering intended outcomes for both schemes. The EPSO team sits within the Net Zero Buildings Portfolio and Affordability Directorate (NZB PAD).

The Directorate aims to decarbonise the buildings by improving energy efficiency and moving to low-carbon sources of heat whilst making sure we meet our fuel poverty targets. NZB PAD is a project-based environment where each member of the team is responsible for delivering one or more objectives, often working closely with colleagues across the Directorate and more widely across DESNZ. NZB PAD operates a flexible resourcing model across the Directorate. This means that individual roles and responsibilities can be varied over time if the Directorate priorities change. The Directorate is supported by a number of specialists, so you will have the opportunity to work in a cross-functional team involving economists, scientists, lawyers, industry experts, and statisticians.

Person specification

The exact responsibilities of the role will be determined by delivery priorities but are likely to include:

• Drafting a government response to a consultation, including determining the best policy positions on cross-cutting issues.

• Developing secondary legislation, including working with lawyers to create robust regulations.

• Monitoring the EPSO mailbox and responding to queries from internal and external stakeholders.

• Working closely with the administrator for the schemes, Ofgem, and the supply chain to make improvements and manage issues.

• Speaking and presenting to key stakeholders across government and in industry. • Monitoring delivery, using a variety of data and other evidence to build an accurate picture of ECO4 and GBIS progress.

• Leading responses to questions about the scheme from MPs, industry stakeholders, and members of the public.

• Investigating specific issues of current delivery which require resolution or offer learnings for a future scheme.

Skills and experience:

Most importantly, you should be interested in helping vulnerable individuals whilst working towards a zero-carbon energy system through the delivery of energy efficiency technologies. You will also have the ability and desire to work in a team and support others while taking responsibility for your work independently. You will be an effective communicator and able to build and maintain relationships with challenging stakeholders, both internal and external. You will have the ability to grasp complex and technical ideas quickly, using your initiative to expand your knowledge and draw on relevant expertise as required. You will be able to write clearly. This will include drafting external correspondence and advice to ministers. Knowledge of domestic energy efficiency would be an advantage.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £31,120, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero contributes £8,402 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 a number of 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 the behavioural statements - Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, and Working Together.

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the lead behaviour statement Making Effective Decision. 

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 (Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace and Working Together) and strength-based questions.

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 22/04/2024

Interview dates: w/c 29/04/2024

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 or 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.