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

Decarbonising the power system is a top priority across Government including for No. 10 and HMT in supporting our net zero commitments. Our high profile, friendly, and diverse team is at the forefront of developing the policies and strategy to enable the deployment one of the potentially key technologies in delivering power system decarbonisation.

Hydrogen-fuelled power stations (“Hydrogen to Power” (H2P)) could support decarbonisation of Great Britain’s power system and support security of electricity supply by providing electricity generation even when the wind doesn’t blow for days and weeks. H2P can provide flexible low carbon electricity generation in a range of system roles, whilst being a way for existing gas-fired power stations to decarbonise.

We recently consulted on the need and potential design options for market intervention to support the deployment of H2P. Delivering the consultation outcomes will be a key focus for the team going forward.

The successful post holder will be at the forefront of this high-profile area and lead on coordinating policy and developing strategy to support our H2P ambitions and delivering the consultation outcomes. You will work closely across the department and government to ensure H2P policy and any potential H2P market intervention fits with wider electricity market reform, other low carbon flexible technologies, and the wider hydrogen value chain.

Person specification

• Leading policy development across the department and government to ensure H2P policy aligns with and influences the wider power system and emerging hydrogen economy.
• Leading the development of H2P strategy, including policy alignment and consultation outcomes so H2P can effectively contribute to our commitments for power sector decarbonisation and security of electricity supply.
• Contractor management – building effective relationships and working closely with contractors and stakeholders to deliver specific projects.
• Stakeholder engagement – developing and leading the H2P stakeholder engagement within government and across industry to ensure strategic alignment and effective incorporation of stakeholder feedback into policy development.

Skills and experience

• Are able to think strategically across a complex and evolving policy landscape, to translate strategic insights into practical policy action plans, drawing out opportunities, risks and priorities to meet Ministers’ objective.
• Have excellent written and oral communication skills to communicate with confidence to Ministers, senior officials, and a wide range of audiences across the sector on important, highly technical and complex issues.
• Have excellent networking skills with the ability to persuade and influence others, establishing positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrate courage and innovation when solving policy issues; positively challenging how things are done, and distilling evidence from a wide range of resources to make difficult decisions.
• Capacity to take ownership and drive forward a policy area, demonstrating initiative and ability to form consensus on complex contentious topics.
• Are committed to your own development and that of your team, and to ensuring personal and team resilience.

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 750 words) to outline how your skills and experience demonstrate your suitability for the role.

Please note - the CV incorporated into the application form is for information purposes only and will not be scored.

The interview will consist of behaviour questions.

Sift and Interview dates

Expected timeline - Subject to change:

Sift dates: w/c 08/04/2024

Interview dates: 22/04/2024

Interview Location: MS Teams.

Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.

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.

Further Information

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.