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

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); and (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. We are recruiting for two SEO roles, the descriptions for each are below. SMR Finance Job Description: This role is concerned with developing government’s policy on how to finance the first SMR builds in the UK. They will collaborate with partners in GBN to assess the costs of building SMRs and establish the models for how this will be funded through a combination of public and private investment. In particular, they will investigate the application of the RAB model which has been approved for use in nuclear technologies. Subsidy Control Job Description: The UK subsidy control regime enables government to give subsidies that are tailored to local needs and that drive economic growth, while minimising distortion to UK competition and protecting our international obligations. This role involves holding responsibility for guiding the department and public authorities through the subsidy process, helping them to meet their legal subsidy control obligations. This offers the chance to explore the overall government support offered to SMRs from a programme-wide perspective, and to support the subsidy control assessment of programme-wide activities.

Person specification

Key responsibilities: SMR Finance responsibilities will include:   Developing government policy for strategic finance issues on the SMR programme - such as the design of financing mechanisms and incentive measures. Assisting with drafting the assumptions that underpin the SMR finance model – such as the co-investment model for the design phase, or the debt and equity capital structure during the construction phase. Collaborating closely with commercial partners in GBN to draft the terms of contracts that government will sign with technology partners to commence designing SMRs. Building and maintaining effective relationships with key external stakeholders such as Ofgem, HMT, Cabinet Office, and other government departments. 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. Subsidy Control responsibilities will include:    Providing support and guidance to public authorities and government on specific subsidy control cases. Working with analysts, legal, internal, and external stakeholders to meet their subsidy control obligations. Up-skilling public authorities on subsidy control obligations.   Building productive relationships with key stakeholders across public authorities and government to share best practice and identify and resolve issues of subsidy control interest.   Helping design and implement a robust subsidy control framework and processes for subsidy control analysis and reporting. 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.   Criteria for roles: An experienced policy professional who is comfortable dealing with complex policy concepts navigating ambiguity and developing intelligent risk-based arguments as appropriate.   An excellent communicator (both in writing and orally) with an ability to explain complex concepts clearly and credibly to non-expert audiences.    Able to scrutinise and challenge analytical work and policy work conducted by others in the department or by our advisors. Able to maintain awareness of the team’s priorities and ongoing work to connect the right people and teams. It would be beneficial (but not essential) to have previous experience in energy policy, commercial experience from the energy sector, or from corporate finance.

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, a personal statement and a number of behavioural statements.

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

Please use your personal statement (in no more than 250 words) to please briefly explain your motivation for applying for this role and how your experiences and skills would add value to the team

Candidates will be sifted on behavioural statements, CV, and personal statement. 

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the lead behaviour 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 29/04/24

Interview dates:06/05/24

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.