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 of 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

Do you want to have a crucial role in our work to maximise the potential benefits from renewable electricity generation as part of our net zero commitments?

Do you enjoy helping to deliver ambitious and high-profile projects which have a positive impact on peoples’ lives?

The UK is charting a course to net zero emissions by 2050, boosting jobs, reducing our need for fossil fuels and securing our position as a world leader in low carbon generation. The Government enshrined the world's most ambitious climate change target into law in 2021: to reduce emissions by 78% by 2035 when compared to 1990 levels. Delivering this ambition is not going to be possible without renewable electricity, and this role offers an exciting opportunity to be a part of this journey.

We are looking for a candidate who can bring enthusiasm, capability and control to this important policy and delivery environment, and is able to work effectively with a range of colleagues in a complex area with multiple interactions across different policies and departmental interests. The rewards include playing a key role in achieving the Government’s ambition to decarbonise the power system by 2035 and achieve Net Zero by 2050.

The Renewable Electricity Directorate is a high-profile, friendly and diverse group at the heart of delivering this vision. We support part-time and flexible working at all grades and encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse experience.

Person specification

In this role you will support the G7 Head of Project Management Office (PMO) in the effective management of the Contracts for Difference (CfD) delivery programme. The CfD scheme is the UK’s flagship programme for incentivising investment in new renewables generation. It is high profile and subject to considerable interest from Ministers, HMT and No 10, given its centrality in the delivery of the Government’s Net Zero commitments. We run annual competitions to award contracts for the construction and operation of large renewable electricity power stations, such as offshore wind. This annual delivery cycle, including policy development, needs to be managed effectively to ensure the scheme delivers on time and to Ministers' expectations. Projects supported by the CfD typically operate for 25-30 years, so your contribution will leave a positive legacy for decades to come. The successful candidate will:

• Be responsible for day-to-day project management, including stakeholder engagement and managing resources to support project delivery.

• Ensure the smooth running of the PMO through the operation of project management and governance processes, and the co-ordination of business management actions and activities.
project management, stakeholder management or managing resource?

• Support workstream leads to ensure that work is clearly defined and planned effectively.

• Maintain effective monitoring and reporting to ensure that work remains on track.

• Manage risks and emerging issues and escalate any concerns promptly to senior colleagues.

• Oversee continuous improvement through an appropriate benefits realisation strategy and that lessons learned are identified and implemented.

• Act as secretariat to our policy and programme boards.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to gain exposure to policy/operational work related to the CfD depending on interests, experience and business needs.

Skill and experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of applying project management methodologies and tools to policy development and implementation, including managing governance structures, risk management and performance overview.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and confidence forging relationships across teams and Government, able to work collaboratively when views differ.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including ability to communicate sophisticated ideas to senior audiences clearly and concisely through a variety of means.

•Self-motivated and highly organised, with an ability to prioritise and manage workload effectively.

• Have experience working at pace, both collaboratively and autonomously, in a complex, changing environment, finding ways to make progress despite uncertainty.

• Have an eye for detail, with strong problem-solving skills.

We will help you achieve a relevant qualification in post if you do not have one. However, it would be an advantage if you have a recognised accreditation in professional project management such as:

• PRINCE2 Foundation
• Agile Project Management Foundation
• PRINCE2 Practitioner
• Agile Project Management Practitioner
• APM Project Fundamentals
• APM Project Management Qualification
• PMI Certificate in Associate Project Management
• PMI Project Management Professional
• Leading and Managing Project Workstreams

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £31,120, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero contributes £8,402 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, Experience and Technical skills.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and a number of behavioural statements.

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

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

Applications will be sifted on behavioural statements.

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the lead behavioural statement - Working Together.

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, technical and strength-based questions.

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 29/01/2024

Interview dates: w/c 19/02/2024

Interview Location: MS Teams.

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

Further Information

Project Delivery Pay Enhancement - the successful candidate may be eligible for a £1,500 pay enhancement subject to having a valid qualification from the list of ‘typical qualifications’ as defined in the Project Delivery Capability Framework for Project Manager 1: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/project-delivery-capability-framework-for-civil-servants.

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.