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 it's impactful. Our 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 work 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

We are looking for a senior policy advisor (Grade 7) to support and lead key workstreams to deliver on the Government’s objective of greening the financial system, and unlocking the private finance needed for the UK’s net zero objectives.

This is an exciting opportunity to work at the centre of net zero policymaking in the DESNZ Net Zero Strategy directorate. We are the Directorate responsible for delivering the UK Government's strategy for bringing down the UK's greenhouse gas emissions to meet our climate commitments, and driving clean growth across the UK.

To achieve the ambitions set out our Net Zero Strategy, the UK must attract significantly more private investment into critical sectors and new green industries. You would be at the heart of strategic decisions to ensure we have the right framework of policy, regulatory and financial support to deliver this.

This is a two-year, fixed-term role. You will be part of the Green Finance team that delivered the UK’s second Green Finance Strategy in March 2023. This is an exciting opportunity to build a network inside and outside government.

You'll be expected to be comfortable engaging with external stakeholders, particularly investors of different types ranging from venture capital, private equity, and infrastructure to institutional investors and banks.

Person specification

You would play a key role in delivering on the Government’s strategic approach to Green Finance, set out in Chapter 1: Foundations and Chapter 2: Align of the Green Finance Strategy. The exact responsibilities of the role will be determined in part by the skills and expertise of the successful candidate, but will be a combination of the following:

1. Leading on the development of the UK’s approach to climate transition planning for the UK’s largest companies

2. Jointly leading on our work programme on the development and delivery of a UK Green Taxonomy

3. Owning the relationship between DESNZ and the Transition Finance Market Review. This is an independent review established in January 2024 to look at how to support companies in hard-to-abate and energy intensive sectors to continue to access the capital they need to decarbonise and deliver our net zero ambitions.

You will line manage one member of staff, and will be part of a broader team of 10 people working to deliver the key commitments in the Green Finance Strategy. This is a fast-developing policy area that will provide you with opportunities to identify new priorities and push for tangible change in government.

This role will suit effective independent workers with a proactive and detail-oriented work style. However, it will also have the support and structure of an experienced wider team who can provide developmental support both on green finance subject matter and as you develop civil servant competencies.

Skills and experience

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic person who can hit the ground running and has strong aspirations to lead and manage workstreams that deliver impact. Prior government policy experience is not necessary for this role, although you would be expected to quickly develop competencies in this area.

We are looking for a highly motivated individual with a combination of strengths and experience across financial, policy and strategic skills. This may include:

• Understanding of how investors, financial markets and financial institutions will support the transition to net zero, through lending, investment and insurance decisions.

• Understanding of how the right data, disclosure and transparency is key in supporting green financial activity.

• Understanding of the Government’s approach to net zero, including a foundational understanding of key technologies and sectors where investment is needed to meet our objectives. • Experience in policy development, including identifying policy problems, building an evidence base, constructing solutions, building consensus, and delivery.

• Excellent analytical skills (both qualitative and quantitative), with the ability to distil messages down to guide decisions.

• Excellent written and verbal communication, and experience landing messages with senior stakeholders (C-Suite/Ministerial)

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 and Experience.

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

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

Candidates please use your personal statement (in no more than 500 words) to address the following question: How can the government use regulatory measures to green the UK’s financial system?

Candidates will be sifted on behavioural statements, 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-based 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 22/04/2024

Interview dates: w/c 29/04/2024 and 06/05/2024

Interview Location: MS Teams.

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

Further Information

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

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.