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

Use research and analysis to combat climate change¦ Up to £6,000 pay enhancement ¦ Flexible working ¦ Amazing learning & development opportunities ¦ Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans ¦

Do you want to help the UK reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050? We are looking for someone to help us tackle one of the most difficult climate change challenges – decarbonising our heating. In Clean Heat Analysis (CHA) we produce high quality, multi-disciplinary evidence and analysis; working proactively to deliver the best policies that work for all consumers and the environment.

We are a team of around 40 analysts collaboratively contributing towards the department's priority of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, through decarbonisation of heating. We are embedded in our policy directorate (Clean Heat Directorate). We work closely with policy colleagues, technical specialists, and other government departments to ensure that policies are based on the best available evidence base. We are a sociable and supportive team – with a range of regular virtual social activities - and people are encouraged to ask questions and put forward their ideas in a safe environment.

We prioritise learning and development: there is a well established local L&D programme which receives very positive feedback as well as many wider opportunities. People in the team have flexible working arrangements, including regular working from home, flexi time and compressed hours.

Decarbonising heat remains one of the UKs biggest challenges in reaching net zero. Heat networks offer a versatile and cost effective way of reducing carbon emissions by providing heating and cooling from central source(s) to a network of buildings. Heat networks can be utilised as a cheaper alternative to individual boilers or electric heating systems in areas where demand for heat is dense. Heat networks also provide opportunity to decarbonise entire districts through implementation of lowcarbon energy centres and can unlock the potential to capture waste heat from industries to achieve highly efficient heating networks. BEIS (our predecessor department) and the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) have estimated that heat networks could offer a cost-effective solution for 18-20% of UK heat demand through to 2050, highlighting the importance of investing in heat networks as a key technology for reaching net zero.

We are looking for an analyst to support the development and evaluation of our heat network policies. Your evidence and analysis will play a crucial role in this exciting, challenging and high-profile work area.

Department for Energy Security & Net Zero is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity for all the benefits it brings, and we strive to create an inclusive environment where staff feel they can bring their whole self to work. The Clean Heat Directorate has an active Directorate Diversity & Inclusion group which aims to promote the agenda within the team and beyond – including working with stakeholders, discussion sessions and celebrations, and ensuring everything we do is fair and
accessible. In addition to supporting the departmental Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, we have developed our own local Race Action Plan which is being implemented.

Person specification

The successful post holder will manage the evaluations of heat networks policies and programs. This includes:

• Working collaboratively with policy colleagues and other analysts. You will build positive relationships, and champion the role of research by providing timely, relevant and impactful research and analysis.

• Designing evaluations that meet policy needs and adhere to Magenta book guidelines. You will include an appropriate mix of quantitative and qualitative research methods, and will help develop research instruments (such as surveys and interview guides).

• Procuring - and day-to-day management of - evaluation research. You will ensure that contractors deliver robust research and quality outputs on time.

• Quality assuring analysis and outputs (such as reports, presentations). You will coordinate input across Department for Energy Security & Net Zero colleagues and external reviewers to ensure reports are accurate and impartial.

• Delivering policy impact. You will engage with internal colleagues and ministers to ensure they clearly understand what your research means for their policies.

• Publishing research. You will work with colleagues in research, policy, comms, press office, ministerial teams and contractors to ensure research findings are publicly available.

We can tailor the exact responsibilities to the holders' strengths and development needs. The post holder will also be offered regular training as part of the department's generous learning and development offer.

Skills and experience

The post holder must have a good grounding in the fundamentals of social research methods and procurement. They will have the opportunity to further develop their skills and pursue their methodological interests.

If you have the following, we would love to hear from you:

• Knowledge of a range of research methodologies, including quantitative, qualitative and evaluation methods (including process and impact evaluation).
• Experience of working with non-researchers to design research that meets their needs.
• Experience of commissioning complex research projects, or being commissioned.
• Experience of leading a diverse portfolio of work, flexing and adapting as priorities change.
• Experience of presenting analytical outputs in a range of formats, tailored to different audiences.

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

You must meet the requirements at SEO grade for one of the following government analytical professions.

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

To join one of these professions, you'll need as a minimum to meet qualification and/ or experience requirements.

 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.

See - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-government-social-research-profession-membership/government-social-research-membership-and-eligibility-guidance

Statistician:

See qualifications or experience needed as per this guidance - https://analysisfunction.civilservice.gov.uk/government-statistical-service-and-statistician-group/gss-careers-and-learning/joining-us/

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.

See - http://www.operational-research.gov.uk/recruitment/requirements/

If you are not already a member of one of these analytical professions at SEO level, you will undergo a badging assessment exercise specific to the SEO grade of the profession you are applying under, in addition to an assessment of role specific technical skills and behaviours. Regardless of whether you are already badged,

PLEASE MAKE CLEAR IN YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT WHICH ANALYTICAL PROFESSION YOU ARE APPLYING UNDER.

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 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 1000 words) to outline how you meet the skills and experience in the job description, and clearly state the government analytical profession (GSR, GSG or GORS) you are applying under.

Applications will be sifted on CV and Personal Statement.

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 and technical 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 29/01/2024

Interview dates: w/c 05/02/2024

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 /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.