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

Would you like to help deliver critical infrastructure for addressing climate change? In 2019, the UK became the first major economy in the world to legislate to have “net zero” carbon emissions by 2050, meaning we will no longer be a net emitter of green house gases which contribute to climate change.

Carbon Capture Usage and Storage (CCUS) is a part of this ambition. This is an exciting time to join the CCUS team as we look to deliver the commitments set out in the Prime Minister’s 10 Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution and the government’s Net Zero Strategy.

We have successfully designed and run a process to select the first two CCUS clusters and are now evolving our policy design for the next round, to meet targets set out in the Net Zero Strategy. 

You will have the opportunity to lead on significant engagement with our public and private sector partners, as well as the chance to make lasting change. 

We are looking for one Grade 6 role to lead a small team of technical specialists for the Power CCUS team. You will lead the provision of technical advice, including working with and managing external technical advisers, to provide a robust Engineering and technical assurance function.

Person specification

We are a friendly and inclusive team. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds and can accommodate flexible working arrangements or secondments for successful candidates.

Who are we looking for?

We are seeking candidates with a track record of delivery, preferably as part of a major infrastructure project. The role will suit someone with experience in major project development and/or delivery, strong project management skills, an understanding of cost estimating in complex engineering and infrastructure projects, an understanding of the design and engineering processes and the ability to lead and manage supplier contracts.

We have one role that will be based within the Power CCUS (including Bioenergy with Carbon Capture & Storage - BECCS).

The role will include the following:

• Lead the relationship with DESNZ’s technical advisers. Day-to-day work will include project planning, analysing issues, managing external consultants and their contracts and managing work packages, presenting to senior managers and external stakeholders.
• Lead on the design and execution of assessment of the quality of power projects arrangements, consenting, deliverability and cost information
• Lead the design and execution of technical due diligence with developers, including providing technical input to the wider due diligence and negotiations processes where required.
• Lead the techno-commercial assessment of project including cost estimates provided by the Project developers to assure that they are effective, economic and efficient costs which are legitimately incurred in the delivery of the project and demonstrate value for money.
• Provide technical support to negotiations with developers.
• Support engagement with the CCUS industry on wider policy development.
• Provide input to the technical elements of the Policy and CCUS network codes development process.
• Providing high quality advice and briefing to Ministers, Senior Civil Servants and CCUS Policy and X-Whitehall Steering Boards.

Skills and Experience 

• Degree educated engineer or scientist, or equivalent experience.
• Engineering experience of CCUS, thermal power generation, and/or analogous industrial experience.
• Experience of performing due- diligence.  Being an intelligent client for external technical experts to the Government, ensuring their advice is robust and credible.
• Experience of cost estimating and/or project cost assurance in complex engineering and infrastructure projects.
• An understanding of the design and engineering processes and familiarity with feasibility, pre-FEED, FEED studies; and/or experience of Engineer Procurement Construction (EPC) or EPC management (EPCM).
• Strong team and matrix leadership skills.
• Senior stakeholder management skills.

Candidates should therefore be a degree educated engineer or scientist and have equivalent relevant experience in the following areas:

• Engineering experience of CCUS, thermal power generation, Energy from waste, low-carbon energy, oil and gas and/or analogous industrial experience
• Good project management skills and ability to deliver against challenging deadlines.
• An effective collaborator able to take account of different views and opinions
• An analytical thinker able to identify and evaluate trade-offs that may be required
• A strong communicator able to articulate and defend the views of the team.
• Experience working with external advisors (e.g. technical, legal, commercial)
• 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 (preferably in the CCUS, Oil & Gas or Hydrogen Sectors).
• Strong analytical skills with demonstrated ability to think critically, validate and analyse complex data and to challenge and sense check results both quantitatively and qualitatively.

 Desirable skills 

• Chartered Engineering status through an approved professional body would be an advantage.
• Experience of participating in/ supporting negotiations would be an advantage.

Successful candidates will need to be adaptable and flexible in their approach to work as they could be asked to move to different roles as and when required to help deliver key priority areas of the CCUS programme

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £61,580, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero contributes £16,626 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, Experience and Technical skills.

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 explain your suitability for this role, focusing specifically on your technical qualifications and experience.

Please note - applications will be sifted on personal statement, CV and any technical skills required.

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on 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 and technical questions.

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

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Expected week of sift - 19/02/2024
Expected week of interviews - 04/03/2024
Interview location - MS Teams/Remote

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.