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

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) is at the forefront of the Government’s plan to secure the UK’s long-term energy supply, bring down bills and half inflation. As a department, we are responsible for delivering security of the UK’s energy supply; ensuring properly functioning energy markets; encouraging greater energy efficiency and seizing the opportunities of net zero to lead the world in new green industries.

We are recruiting for a HEO Private Secretary to work directly with Junior DESNZ Ministers. This is a stretching, high-profile role demonstrating a wide range of core Civil Service skills in a uniquely challenging environment. Private Secretaries are the key link between Ministers, SpAds and the Department, working to deliver the steers and priorities of ministers based on the highest-quality advice from officials.

As an HEO Private Secretary you will work as part of a fast-paced and fun 5-6 person team, led by a G7 Senior Private Secretary, directly supporting the DESNZ Ministers. You will need to be able to hit the ground running, be approachable to officials across BEIS, Whitehall, and demonstrate the confidence, resilience and flexibility required to deliver the highest quality service to Ministers.

In these roles delivering DESNZ’s energy and climate work, you will:

- Advise the Minister on the UK’s climate and energy policy and have scope to shape your policy portfolio.

- Support the Minister to deliver their priorities by working with Senior Officials in DESNZ and across Whitehall.

- Support the Minister with Parliamentary work, including Bills, debates, DESNZ orals and statements.

- Accompany the Minister to events and on domestic and international trips.

- Build positive relationships with teams throughout the Department and Whitehall.

Due to business requirements this post is full time. Candidates will be expected to be in the office on average 4 days per week, though it is possible to work from home more often during periods of Parliamentary recess. Some national and international travel is likely to be required.

Person specification

Skills and Experience

We are looking for organised, hardworking and perceptive individuals to fit into close-knit, fun and friendly teams. The roles provide an exciting front row seat to see how crucial policies are developed and delivered, and how decisions are made. In particular, we are looking for the following.

Essential Criteria: 

- Exceptional organisation skills with strong planning and prioritisation skills.

- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

- An ability to work through others with nuance and sensitivity.

- An ability to understand the strategic big picture.

- An ability to work well under pressure and at pace.

- Strong attention to detail.

Desirable criteria:

- Policy experience.

- Experience of working with senior stakeholders or in a Private Office.

You will be offered support to develop in your role. This includes training and coaching and options such as mentoring and action learning sets. Private Office has an extensive learning and development offer from induction onwards. This includes offers tailored to the interests and demands of our teams.

We follow best practice in line management in DESNZ through regular performance management discussions and in-year reward rounds to recognise performance. We encourage people of all grades to become leaders in taking forward our corporate action plan. We are currently focused on three areas: Well-being, Diversity and Learning and Development.

Please note that applicants with Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) are eligible to apply but need to be willing to undergo Security Check (SC) upon starting the role.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £34,410, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero contributes £9,290 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 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) which will be assessed in line with the required skills and experience.

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 and strength based 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 26/02/2024

Interview dates: w/c 04/03/2024

Interview Location: MS Teams.

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

Further Information

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

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 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. 

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. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). 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.