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

These roles are part of the Policy and Sponsorship Team for Great British Nuclear (GBN).

The team has two primary responsibilities:

(i) To create government policy to support the next evolution of nuclear technology – Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

(ii) To act as a sponsor for GBN to ensure that it delivers on its government commitments and that it provides value for money. GBN is a standalone Non-Departmental Public Body, equipped with the capability and capacity to deliver government's commitments for new nuclear capacity.

You will be joining the team at an exciting time. We have just launched the government’s competition for a technology partner to create a design for a Small Modular Reactor; and government has announced that is has bought two sites which are designated for nuclear development. The team is expanding to undertake these new responsibilities as the SMR programme ramps up.

These roles will offer the opportunity for professional growth as part of a dynamic team and culture; where you will be playing a key role in developing from the ground-up the UK’s ambitious new nuclear program.

Project Development Company Job Description:

The key focus of this role will be supporting the development of business cases for the set-up of development companies (‘DevCos’) to deliver the first SMR projects in the UK’s new nuclear programme. These companies are key enablers for delivery of the SMR programme and will each be responsible for significant spend.

Governance and Risk Job Description:

This role has the responsibility to set up and mature structures that will ensure GBN as a Non-Departmental Public Body delivers on its government commitments, and that its projects provide value for money. As well as this, the postholder will ensure the effective risk management of GBN’s set up, policy aims and objectives. This is a vital role to ensure GBN, which will be responsible for multi-£billion projects, is accountable to the Government and reports its progress cross-Whitehall, including to the Cabinet Office, HMT, and other government departments.

Sponsorship Job Description:

This role sits within the GBN Sponsorship Team, which has the responsibility to set up and mature GBN as a Non-Departmental Public Body, and ensure that it delivers on its government commitments, and that its projects provide value for money. This is a key role to help establish a function to oversee GBN’s activities and manage the relationship with the Department.

Person specification

Project Development Company responsibilities will include:

• Building relationships with cross-Whitehall stakeholders such as HMT, Cabinet Office and IPA, and Private Offices within DESNZ.

• Coordinating a wide range of analytical and policy inputs from GBN and technical consultants.

• Supporting drafting of robust business case for capital spend on DevCo set-up and operation and underpinning policy papers.

• Drafting advice to Ministers and other stakeholders on this vital delivery aspect of the nuclear programme to deliver net zero.

• Assisting with other tasks across the team, depending on surge requirements at the time.

Governance and Risk responsibilities will include:

• Governance: managing the governance, assurance and approvals processes related to GBN setup and delivery of the nuclear programme. This will include working closely with senior DESNZ officials to provide secretariat function for several governance boards for the SMR programme.

• Engagement and reporting: work closely with the GBN PMO on reporting/assurance mechanisms between GBN and DESNZ. As well as inputs into the Government Major Project Programme process.

• Risk management: work across boundaries to develop and own a system to capture, update and report risks related to the programme.

• Assisting with other tasks across the team, depending on surge requirements at the time.  

Sponsorship responsibilities will include:

• Development of a series of core sponsorship documentation.

• Building and maintaining effective relationships with key external stakeholders such as HMT and Cabinet Office.

• Providing priority project support on a variety of sponsorship activities.

• Collaborating closely with GBN to deliver on a number of join activities.

• Providing priority project support on a variety of sponsorship activities.

• Drafting briefings, correspondence and decision papers for ministers and senior officials.

• Assisting with other tasks across the team, depending on surge requirements at the time.  

Skills and experience:

• Excellent drafting and oral communication skills, with the ability to present and explain complex information clearly and credibly to non-expert audiences.

• Organised, with strong time management skills.

• A self-starter who has excellent organisation and is a pro-active problem solver.

• A strong communicator with the ability to forge effective working relationships within a short space of time.

• Ability to build relationships both within the team and the wider stakeholders, to deliver successful outcomes.

• Resilience and being comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.

• Previous experience of working in a project delivery role, as well as knowledge of delivery of major government projects and/or programmes would be desirable.

• Experience of HMT capital funding and business case approvals process would be beneficial but not essential.

• Experience of nuclear policy/sponsorship/infrastructure delivery would be beneficial but not essential.

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 a number of behavioural statements.

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

Applications will be sifted on the behavioural statements and CV. 

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the lead behavioural statement (Making Effective Decisions).

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 01/05/2024

Interview dates: w/c 06/05/2024

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.