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

Would you like to deliver critical policies for addressing climate change? This is an exciting time to join the Hydrogen and Industrial Carbon Capture (HICC) directorate, which was formed to ensure successful delivery of the government’s Net Zero programme and decarbonise the economy. It is a fast-paced and exciting directorate that is at the heart of energy and climate change policy.

In the Net Zero Strategy we set out our ambition to capture and store at least 6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year from industrial sources by 2030. The government has also committed to developing up to 10GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity, with hydrogen set to play a key role in the decarbonisation of a range of end uses. To help deliver these ambitions, a series of incentives and support mechanisms are being established to support the private sector to decarbonise the economy:

• The Hydrogen Transport Business Model (HTBM) will support the deployment of hydrogen transport infrastructure.
  
• Supporting Hydrogen to Power policy, including the proposed market intervention to support deployment of H2P power plants
  
• The Industrial Carbon Capture (ICC) business models have been designed to incentivise the deployment of carbon capture technology by a variety of hard to abate UK industries
  
• The Hydrogen Production Business Model (HPBM) will support the deployment of low carbon hydrogen production.
  
• The Hydrogen Storage Business Model (HSBM) will support the deployment of hydrogen storage infrastructure.
  

We are looking for a Senior Commercial specialist, preferably with a background in the energy sector and/or financial markets, to join our diverse team of highly motivated corporate finance advisors, and work alongside policy professionals to help design and deliver these incentive mechanisms. This is an exciting opportunity to help deliver a forward looking, innovative and highly ambitious programme which will make a critical contribution to the decarbonisation of the UK economy and Net Zero. This role will draw heavily upon your expertise, and will have a very visible profile both within the department and with the private sector stakeholders seeking to deliver these decarbonisation projects.

Person specification

The role will involve:

• Developing and critiquing policy initiatives in the relevant areas.
  
• Supporting the negotiations for the allocation of the incentive schemes.
  
• Advising on the commercial impact and implications of differing policy options.
  
• Advising on the implications for industry stakeholders and investors in financing new investment in the sector.
  
• Liaising with senior stakeholders, including external stakeholders or investors.
  
• Leading on the commercial and financial aspects of internal decision-making documents.
  
• Working closely with a range of teams across the department
  
• Providing support on broader departmental policies on an ad hoc basis.

Skills and experience

Skills, experience and qualifications (essential):

• Proven experience at expert or senior level in corporate finance and/or commercial roles.
  
• An ability to evaluate different strategy options and to develop concepts into detailed proposals and implementable commercial arrangements and/or policy.
  
• An ability to quickly assess and distil evidence, including financial and complex technical information.
  
• Strong presentational skills and ability to communicate complex proposals to a variety of both internal and external stakeholders.
  
• Strong competency in financial modelling and analysis.
  
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to establish, build and maintain collaborative and positive relationships with stakeholders. The ability to communicate complex and sometimes technical issues clearly and concisely to colleagues, stakeholders and ministers.
  
• Ability to maintain awareness of the team’s priorities and ongoing work to connect the right people and teams.
  
• Experience managing and handling commercially sensitive data/information. 
  

Skills, experience and qualifications (desirable):

• Experience in energy and decarbonisation policy.
  
• Commercial experience and background in energy projects or markets or investment in the energy sector.
  
• Experience of investment or financing for greenfield projects.
  
• Experience in the electricity sector, and of relevant commercial or market arrangements.
  
• Experience in transportation and distribution infrastructure, funded either on a merchant or regulated asset base model.
  
• Experience in project development, mergers and acquisitions, asset financing and/or infrastructure investment.
  
• Experience of negotiations. Please highlight any relevant experience of being involved in commercial negotiations explicitly in your application.

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 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 500 words) to detail why are you interested in this role and what skills and experience do you bring?

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the CV.

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 questions.

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

A reserve list of candidates may be kept for up to 12 months.

Sift and interview dates

Expected timeline, subject to change - 

Sift dates: w/c 26/02/2024

Interview dates: w/c 11/03/2024

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

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 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.