About the job

Job summary

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

Do you want to work on redesigning electricity markets to help the UK reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050? If yes, then join our high profile, friendly and diverse team.

We are hiring two Grade 7s in the Energy Markets and Analysis Directorate. The roles are working in the mass low carbon team, one branch of DESNZ's flagship electricity market reform programme (REMA).  The Programme aims to future-proof our electricity market arrangements to: help unlock unprecedented levels of investment across the full range of low carbon technologies; maintain security of supply; and ensure the system can be operated safely and cost-effectively as variable renewables will dominate our generation mix of the future.

The focus of the mass low carbon team is future-proofing the Contracts for Difference (CfD) subsidy scheme, which is the government’s flagship mechanism for supporting renewable electricity generation. The scheme has been very successful so far, supporting a rapid increase in renewable investment and saving consumers billions of pounds, but as the market evolves we need to make sure that the scheme adapts to the challenges of a future decarbonised system. You will have the opportunity to work in one, or multiple workstreams across the team, which could include the development of specific policy reform options, coordinating engagement with industry and setting up cross-government advisory boards. 

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.

Person specification

You, as a successful applicant, will be working closely with other policy leads in future-proofing the contracts for difference scheme. You will also have the opportunity to lead on specific policy, contributing to developing, communicating and delivering proposals for reform that will be vital for the transition to net zero. 

Not only will you have the chance to shape radical and long-lasting reforms to improve future electricity markets, you will also have the opportunity to develop yourself. We give our people the opportunity to use their skills and talents to build a rewarding career. 

You will quickly get to grips with how the electricity markets work and the investment landscape that we are working in. 

You will have an opportunity to shape the role, but responsibilities are likely to include: 

• Work alongside other G7s to explore possible reforms to the CfD scheme, balancing how we meet our renewable deployment targets with how we reform our electricity market so it is fit for the future.
• Lead on key policy design and implementation questions for accelerating renewable deployment. You will work with the team to conduct a full comparative assessment of these options, working closely with analysts to draw together internal and external expertise and evidence of impacts. There is potential to seek approval for and manage external research projects to support this assessment.
• Work in deep collaboration with relevant policy teams, particularly the renewable electricity directorate, to agree a strategy that allows any changes to be made at the right time and in the right order to avoid any investor hiatus.
• Connect policy development across REMA workstreams by staying abreast of policy development in other workstreams and assessing how wider reform options could impact your policy area.
• Lead analysis of stakeholder responses to the upcoming REMA consultation.
• Represent DESNZ on CfD reform internally and externally – briefing seniors and building strong relationships across the energy sector and beyond.
• Line manage, as well as having broader team management responsibilities.

Skills and experience

We would love to hear from you if you:

• Are an enthusiastic and proactive leader who will drive policy forward in a complex and fast-paced environment,
• Have excellent time and project management skills, being able to juggle and prioritise different deliverables while ensuing the key milestones determining the overall success of the project stay on track.
• Excel at making effective decisions, being on top of the technical detail as well as the ability to make links with wider REMA and departmental priorities.
• Can pick up complex and technical subject matter quickly and explain difficult concepts in a simple and clear way (e.g. for ministerial briefings).
• Enjoy change and can adapt to quickly shifting situations, finding ways to make progress despite uncertainty.
• Can collaborate effectively with internal and external partners to achieve progress even when views differ, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills and respecting difference and external experience.

Prior knowledge of energy policy and investment policy is not essential but is desirable. We will quickly upskill you in the areas where you have less experience. We are proud of our commitment to learning and development and this is reflected in excellent results to our people survey.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £50,305, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero contributes £13,582 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 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 1000 words) to provide a short summary of your key skills, experience, and relevant qualifications, detailing how this meets the role profile.

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 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: from 2nd January 2024

Interview dates: w/c 15th January 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.