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

Energy Infrastructure and Markets Analysis (EIMA) are responsible for providing high quality analytical advice that drives decisions related to power supply policy and delivery. The energy system lies at the heart of our efforts to reach Net Zero. Power drives the economy (literally). Keeping the lights on at reasonable cost for every citizen while reducing emissions is our mission.

We are a large multi-disciplinary team, with an inclusive, friendly, and encouraging culture.  Every member is empowered to take ownership of their area, work with others, and develop their skills continually. We feel excited to work on such an important part of delivering Net Zero and energy security.

We would like to encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Please do get in touch if you have questions about whether this role might be suitable for you.

Person specification

This post fills a vacancy in the Renewable Electricity Analysis team which sits within EIMA. The post holder will work closely with the Renewable Electricity Directorate, whose mission is to create a policy environment to accelerate renewable deployment whilst delivering value for consumers and creating sustainable UK industries. The team also leads the analysis on international renewables projects.

The post holder will be leading a number of workstreams focusing on short-term (~next 5 years) renewables support schemes and their strategy. The area is fast paced, and priorities are constantly evolving given very dynamic energy markets.

Some examples of the work could include:

• Independently leading analytical projects to understand policy changes; through various models analytically evaluating impacts on GB energy consumers and renewable supply chains, conducting value for money analyses, assessing impacts on emissions and evaluating the unintended consequences that policies might give rise to.
  
• Opportunities to lead on Impact Assessments covering changes in GB’s largest renewables subsidy scheme (the Contracts for Difference scheme) covering all renewable technologies.
  
• Working closely with policy colleagues and developing a number of products (e.g. presentations and papers) for senior boards.
  
• Working with a variety of external stakeholders (e.g. Ofgem, National Grid ESO and industry representatives) to assess and appraise policy implications and unintended consequences.

The post holder will have plenty of L&D opportunities to build strong understanding of energy markets and a range of renewables technologies, technical skills and wider skills through in-house and external training.

This role represents an exciting challenge, with ample scope for the successful candidate to develop their career and deliver meaningful impact in what continues to be one the highest profile areas in the UK policymaking. This role is policy-facing, so the post holder will have many opportunities to influence decision making by developing and communicating complex quantitative analysis.

Skills and experience

Essential:

• Written and oral communication skills; be able to communicate complex issues to non-experts;
  
• Interpersonal and engagement skills, with the ability to establish, build and maintain collaborative and positive relationships;
  
• Ability to plan, prioritise and lead analytical projects;
  
• You must be a full member of one of the analytical professions Government Social Research Service (GSR), Government Statistical Group (GSG) and Government Operational Research Service (GORS) or, you must be able to demonstrate that you satisfy the eligibility criteria and have the competence at the required grade (SEO) for one of the professional bodies. Links are provided to the relevant professions below.
  

Desirable:

• Well developed technical skills in appropriate tools or programming languages such as Excel and VBA, or R/Python (in-house training is available)
  
  

Please provide details within your application as to which analytical professional you are a member of or which one you would like to apply under.

• Government Operational Research Service - http://www.operational-research.gov.uk/recruitment/competencies/
• Government Statistical Group - https://gss.civilservice.gov.uk/policy-store/competency-framework-for-the-government-statistician-group-gsg/
• Government Social Research Service -  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-government-social-research-competency-framework
  
  

To join one of these professions, you’ll need as a minimum to meet one of the following qualification standards:

Statistician:

+ a first or second class honours degree in a numerate subject (2:1 minimum for Assistant Statistician and 2:2 minimum for Statistical Officer) containing at least 25% taught statistical content (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography or similar)
+ a higher degree, e.g. a MSc or PhD, in a subject containing formal statistical training (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography or similar)
+ have achieved or on track to achieve a level 4 apprenticeship including at least 2 years in a statistical/data analysis field in government and are able to demonstrate continuous professional development in statistics/data analysis.
+ have worked in a statistical or data science field for a minimum of two years and are able to demonstrate Continuous Professional Development (via a logbook) in applying statistics or data science at the same level as a foundation degree or Higher National Diploma (level five), which demonstrates the expected skills as outlined in the GSG Competency framework. 

Find out more at https://gss.civilservice.gov.uk/careers/joining-us/

Social Researcher: 

For qualification route, must hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:1, or 2:2 with a postgraduate degree, in a social science subject. Qualifying social science subjects are those that contain substantial social research methods training (comprising around one-third of modules taken in the course).

For professional experience route, must hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:1, or 2:2 with a postgraduate degree, in any subject, or hold a degree equivalent, and have at least 4 years’ social research practice experience. Social research practice experience consists of experience working in a research agency, market research agency or specialist research team.

Operational Researcher:

A degree at 2.1 (or equivalent) or an MSc in a highly numerate subject, or equivalent experience, and be able to demonstrate relevant experience in your career in a relevant profession.

Level 6 apprentices are not eligible for this role, but we welcome applications from Level 7 apprentices.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,470, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero contributes £10,116 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, behavioural statements and a technical skill. 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 and any technical skills required.

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the lead behaviour statement Making Effective Decisions.

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.

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 26/02/24

Interview dates: w/c 11/03/24

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.