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

Do you want to lead policy work on options for locational pricing of GB wholesale electricity - looking at the potential for different prices in different 'zones'? With generation happening increasingly far away from customers this is a key issue for the future. Resolving it will help ensure the electricity system is operationally effective at low cost as part of the wider power sector transformation to Net Zero by 2035.

As part of Government's work on electricity market reform we are looking for a team leader for policy development on locational electricity pricing. This includes:

- Determining the role locational price signals need to play to support a secure, low cost and low carbon future power system.

- Gathering and assessing options for introducing locational price signals in GB electricity markets.

- Understanding the implications for electricity generators and the investment environment.

- Understanding the implications for electricity customers across both households and businesses.

- Designing and implementing, with adjacent policy teams, any government intervention that is required.

- Defining the work in relation to wider electricity system needs, for example balancing efficient system operation with the pressing need for increased investment in renewables.

You will be working alongside other grade 6 (i.e. team leader) policy & strategy colleagues as part of DESNZ's flagship electricity market reform programme (REMA) - a top priority across Government including No.10 and HMT - working closely with analysts and industry secondees.

The current electricity system still makes significant use of fossil fuels - to meet the ambition of a largely carbon free system by 2035 transformative change is required. Wind and solar will meet an increasing share of our generation needs, but are often located far away from businesses and households. This means we need to update the way power markets work.

Your role will be to identify and work through the policy options to improve locational price signals for GB electricity markets - and then deliver them directly or through other policy teams in DESNZ. This means developing a deep understanding of current system features and future needs. It means unpacking and assessing existing ideas, developing new options where needed, and balancing the theoretically desirable with the art of the possible given the system we have in place today. Getting this right is absolutely critical, and the results will be felt for decades to come.

You will join the Energy Markets & Analysis Directorate in DESNZ’s Energy Markets & Supply Group: our vision is to ensure the UK has a reliable, low cost and clean energy system. We have an inclusive working environment and work hard to ensure that everyone feels that they are treated with respect, trusted to do their job and contribute their ideas, and able to access learning and development opportunities. We encourage applications from underrepresented groups, or from people who will help us promote the value of diversity.

Responsibilities include:

• Work closely with the system operator, the regulator and industry to develop potential zonal GB wholesale designs and agree lead options to be considered as part of wider electricity market reform options.
• Work closely with analysts to build a strong evidence base on zonal benefits, costs and risks. Work with strategy colleagues to consider how decisions on zonal design impact wider policy such as spatial planning, investment and cross-border trading.
• Lead your policy team, providing both direct grade 7 line management and support to indirect reports to ensure team performs well and staff develop, scoping out and maintaining resource needs.
• Work closely with the parallel policy team developing national pricing models to ensure a consistent approach. Understand implementation pathways and impacts on different market participants to enable comparative analysis and assessment.
• Oversee work to assess possible impacts on both renewable and flexible asset investment, considering the interaction of renewable support mechanism reform with zonal designs, and how impacts on existing assets can be best managed.
• Work closely with the system operator on options to improve dispatch and develop understanding of BAU reforms needed for zonal e.g. changes to access, network charging, CM etc
• Develop understanding of likely impacts of different zonal models on different types of end users and retailers.
• Support engagement plans to ensure the concerns of key stakeholders are factored into zonal design and decision making processes.

Person specification

Skills and experience

 We would love to hear from you if you:

• Are a proven leader with a real passion for your job. You’ll be building & leading a team with varied deliverables and will need to empower and give strategic direction to people so that they can give their best.
• 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 ability to see the bigger picture but can get into detail if required, able to explain technical matters in simple terms to different audiences.
• Have the experience and behaviours to work collaboratively with internal and external partners to achieve progress even when views differ, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills and respecting difference and external experience.
• Excel at policy work, blending the formal requirements such as generating and synthesising evidence with the informal art of getting things done!

Desirable Criteria:

• Have existing knowledge of electricity systems, wholesale markets or the wider energy sector.

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 1000 words) to provide evidence of your suitability for the role, addressing what you consider to be the key points set out in the 'skills and experience' section.

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 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 24/03/2024

Interview dates: w/c 15/04/2024

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 and 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.