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

We are recruiting for a Senior Communications Advisor to lead our communications approach for smart energy data and systems and coordinate our stakeholder engagement function. This is a high-priority role given the strong and growing interest from across Government, Parliament, media, and external stakeholders in smart energy data and systems policy. The benefits of a smarter and more flexible electricity system are estimated to be up to £10 billion per year by 2050. This involves using energy data more smartly to manage a more complex electricity system, as well as driving more investment in electricity storage, interconnection, and demand side response.

You will be expected to work independently and with high levels of responsibility, including attending meetings with ministers and coordinating material for briefings and publications. The way government engages with the public with regards to smart data and flexible energy infrastructure is a high priority and you will be at the heart of shaping this strategy.

Person specification

You will be responsible for leading the communications approach and coordinating the stakeholder management function of the team. You will work collaboratively with policy teams across smart data and systems areas to deliver clear, insightful, timely and targeted communication. You will support coordination of engagement with internal and external stakeholders, including ministers and parliamentarians. 

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading the communications function to deliver clear, insightful, timely and targeted communication products (Ministerial briefing packs, responses to Ministerial correspondence, answers to parliamentary questions, Q&A packs etc).
• Developing and maintaining a set of core messages and slides that can be used for multiple communications purposes.
• Setting up structures and processes to successfully manage reactive and proactive communication of relevant policies across Whitehall and industry.
• Working closely and collaboratively with policy teams and stakeholders in wider government, Ofgem (the energy regulator), the National Energy System Operator, and industry.
• Supporting collection and analysis of evidence to support policy making to ensure our policies are deliverable and robust.
• Supporting the overall delivery and communication of the policies set out in the Smart Data Roadmap, Smart Systems and Flexibility Action Plan, our Energy Digitalisation Strategy and other relevant documents.

Skills and experience

We would love to hear from you if you:

• Have strong written and oral communication skills, and are able to explain complex, technical matters in simple terms to different audiences.
• Have strong interpersonal skills and a track record of working with stakeholders to achieve a common objective.
• Have a track record of leading or supporting the communications function within an organisation
• Are comfortable operating in a complex and fast-paced environment, adapting as the situation changes and finding ways to make progress despite uncertainty.
• Have the experience and behaviours to work collaboratively with internal and external partners to achieve progress on shared objectives, respecting differences, and external experience.
• Can work at pace across multiple challenging projects or workstreams, both collaboratively and autonomously
• Have an eye for detail, with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to grapple with complex issues.
• Have a real passion for the work you do and the impact it has.
  

Prior knowledge of or experience with the energy or digital sectors is desirable, but not essential – we will support you quickly upskilling you in the areas where you have less experience.

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, Strengths 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 750 words) to explain with reference to the skills and experience listed in the job advert, outline what attracts you to this role and why you believe you would be a suitable candidate.

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 strength based questions.

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 08/04/24

Interview dates: w/c 22/04/24

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.