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 hiring policy advisors and technical experts to join a variety of teams across the department. This could be for specific technologies such as batteries or power from hydrogen. It could be for the electricity, carbon capture or hydrogen systems, networks and markets needed more widely in the future. It could be for the pathway to net zero and the international agreements and regulatory change needed to achieve that.

During the recruitment process we will work with you to understand your specific area of expertise or interest with the intention of matching you with a suitable role in the department. Three current examples are:

• Flexible electricity sources - monitor key developments and challenges taking place in energy markets for small scale flexible technologies such as demand response and batteries, through engaging with stakeholders and conducting research. Take responsibility for key issues identified and ways of solving them.
  
• Pathways to net zero electricity – analyse the potential of various generating technologies to contribute to a net zero power system by 2035. Contributing to the wider departmental process of what to prioritise based on potential and cost.
  
• Delivery of government’s CCUS or hydrogen programmes - technical and cost assurance of projects applying for government support schemes, from the application stage to negotiations and contract award.

We pride ourselves on having a friendly, inclusive, and supportive work environment. We support team members to develop their careers. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and to offering flexible working opportunities. We are keen to hear from those who work part-time, job-share or have other flexible working arrangements. We expect to offer flexible start dates that fit with your needs and the academic cycle.

As a successful applicant you will be at the forefront of one of our many high-profile policy areas. You will have the opportunity to contribute to developing, delivering, and communicating proposals for reforms that will be vital for the transition to Net Zero in a secure and affordable way. 

Not only will you have the chance to shape radical and long-lasting reforms to improve the energy markets, systems and the wider net zero environment, you will also have the opportunity to develop yourself and use your skills and talents to build a rewarding career. 

The roles typically include: 

• Leading the development of options for reform across different policy areas - examples indicated above;
  
• Working closely with policy teams across the department, as well as analysts, lawyers, and external stakeholders to understand and assess the impact of these options;
  
• Engaging directly with project developers in industrial and energy sectors to assess projects’ technical deliver-ability;
  
• Supporting the development of the road-map for implementing options for reform;
  
• Preparing and presenting board-level policy papers; 
  
• Representing the department at internal, cross-Government, and external meetings with key stakeholders across the energy industry and climate space.

Person specification

Skills and experience

We would especially like to hear from candidates with either:

i) Masters level degree related to energy/engineering/net zero plus at least two years energy industry or energy policy experience.

OR

ii) Doctoral level degree related to energy/engineering/net zero policy.

If you do not have a PhD or relevant work experience please consider applying for the Higher Executive Officer role which is also advertised at www.civilservicejobs.gov.uk under job number 342151. We will quickly up-skill you in the areas where you have less experience. We are proud of our commitment to learning and development. 

The ideal candidate will have:

• A good understanding of the broad context of energy/net zero in the UK economy, energy technologies, energy policy and with an ability to think strategically and consider the wider impact of our work on the energy industry and consumers; 
  
• An ability to understand a broad body of research, weigh up sources of evidence and translate it into policy recommendations;
  
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to distil a wide range of technical materials into engaging and persuasive content;
  
• Strong networking skills with the ability to persuade and influence others, establishing positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, communicating with confidence to Ministers, senior officials, and a wide range of audiences across the sector on important, highly technical and complex issues;
  
• A desire and ability to work proactively, prioritising their workload while producing high quality outcomes, sometimes to tight deadlines;
  
• (If you are looking for a technical role) Engineering experience and/or technical and cost assurance. This could be experience in projects assurance, commercial, engineering design, due diligence, cost assessment, risk analysis and/or delivery of major infrastructure projects.

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, Ability and Experience.

After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Verbal Test and Civil Service Numerical Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application. 

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 31/03/2024. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

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 750 words) to outline how you meet the skills and experience required for this role. Include a summary discussion of any energy or net zero policy areas you are interested in and how you would want to address one policy problem you have identified.

Applications will be sifted on CV and personal statement.

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the CV.

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.

Interviewees will be asked to deliver a presentation; further details will be provided nearer the time.

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 08/04/2024

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 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.