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

To reach net zero by 2050 it is essential to improve access to information for homeowners on how to improve energy performance, and ultimately decarbonise, existing homes in the UK.  We need to understand and address the broader needs of home energy consumers around access to information, advice and guidance when retrofitting their home. 

The Consumer Advice and Information Product Manager will manage operation of our current digital tools including our Find Ways to Save Energy in your Home and Great British Insulation Scheme and Home Upgrade Grant eligibility checkers. This is with the aim of incentivising the uptake and installation of energy efficiency and low-carbon heating measures in UK homes to meet the UK’s 2050 Net Zero target. This is an opportunity to play a leading role tackling one of the hardest decarbonisation challenges facing the UK. 

As Product Manager, you should be able to identify user needs, help a customer understand a business value and work with cross-functional teams to manage product releases to deliver products not just according to users, but meeting Departmental priorities.

You will serve as the voice of the department and own the product/service roadmap. Solve service-related problems, make decisions, and be accountable for the created services and develop and maintain an appropriately prioritised backlog of user stories for implementation. You will act as an ambassador for the services internally and externally and as the primary contact for queries related to the services.

Person specification

The post holder will be responsible for developing a strong understanding of the consumer advice landscape in the context of energy efficiency retrofit, as well as how it fits with wider energy efficiency and net zero policy.

You will prioritise the product backlog to align with business objectives and user needs and ensure that the products comply with relevant standards, policies, and regulations. These responsibilities involve identifying and mitigating risks, encouraging the maximum possible take-up of the service, and evaluating the performance and impact of the products using data and user feedback. 

You will also be responsible for developing, operating, and continually improving the service, identifying and mitigating risks, and encouraging the maximum possible take-up of the service. You will have overall responsibility for assisted digital support. 

In addition, the post holder would need experience in contract management, including developing future requirements feeding into Information to Tender (ITTs) and procurement exercises.

Skills and experience

Essential Skills:

• Product Management: Can manage a product through discovery, alpha, beta and live.
• Ability to capture user needs and translate them into deliverables
• Ability to define the minimum viable product (MVP) and make decisions about priorities
• Ability to write user stories and acceptance criteria
• Knowledge of agile methodology and ability to apply an agile mindset to all aspects of work

Desirable Skills:

• Experience in developing a consumer-facing service or policy, with a good understanding of user journeys and bringing the customer with them
• Experience of benefits realisation
• Excellent networking and influencing skills with the ability to persuade and influence others
• Ability to understand users and identify who they are and what their needs are, based on  evidence
• Highly Desirable: Experience in developing a consumer-facing service or policy, with a good understanding of user journeys and bringing the customer with you.
• Experience in pivoting to changing situations, objectives, and timescales. 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £50,305, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero contributes £13,582 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.

With reference to the criteria outlined in the advert, in your personal statement, please explain in 750 words - How your experience aligns with those outlined in the personal specification. 

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 technical-based questions.

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 29th January 2024

Interview dates: w/c 12th February 2024

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 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.