About the job

Job summary

DESNZ

The responsibilities for the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero for 2023 are as follows: 

• Delivering security of energy supply 
• Ensuring properly functioning energy markets 
• Encouraging greater energy efficiency 
• Seizing the opportunities of net zero to lead the world in new green industries 

For 2023, our priorities are: 

• Ensure security of energy supply this winter, next winter and in the longer-term – bringing down energy bills and reducing inflation. 
• Ensure the UK is on track to meet its legally binding Net Zero commitments and support economic growth by significantly speeding up delivery of network infrastructure and domestic energy production. 
• Improve the energy efficiency of UK homes, businesses and public sector buildings to meet the 15% demand reduction ambition. 
• Deliver current schemes to support energy consumers with their bills and develop options for long-term reform to improve how the electricity market works for families and businesses. 
• Seize the economic benefits of Net Zero, including the jobs and growth created through investment in new green industries. 
• Pass the Energy Bill to support the emerging CCUS and hydrogen sectors; to update the governance of the energy system; and to reduce the time taken to consent offshore wind. 

Our Inclusive Environment

We are building an inclusive culture to make the Department a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves.

We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it will help us be more innovative and make better decisions.

We offer first-class flexible working benefits, excellent employee well-being support and a great pension. 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.

We actively welcome applications from anyone who shares our commitment to inclusion. We will fully support candidates with a disability or long-term condition who require adjustments in our recruitment process.

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

Would you like to play a role in the delivery of major infrastructure projects addressing climate change? Both hydrogen and industrial carbon capture (ICC) will play a crucial role in reaching net zero by 2050 and we have set out our ambitions to deploy 10GW of low carbon hydrogen capacity and to capture and store 6Mt of carbon dioxide per year by 2030.

This is a great opportunity to join the Hydrogen and ICC Business Models Team to lead on providing technical assurance of projects seeking business model support through the electrolytic hydrogen allocation process.

We have been negotiating with a number of electrolytic, or 'green', hydrogen projects this year to award Low Carbon Hydrogen Contracts in the first electrolytic hydrogen allocation round and will shortly launch the second round for new applications.

Through this role, you will provide technical assurance to assess the deliverability of projects at different stages of development and play a key role in the negotiations process and award of contracts. You will also provide technical advice to the ongoing development of the Hydrogen Business Models.

The Hydrogen and ICC Business Models Team is a friendly and inclusive team within the Hydrogen and Industrial Carbon Capture Directorate. We place a strong emphasis on personal development and welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are happy to accommodate flexible working arrangements for successful candidates.

If you have a background and interest in the technical/engineering side of climate change, particularly through green hydrogen, we would love to hear from you! This role is eligible for the Science & Engineering Specialist Allowance (see Skills and Experience section).

Person specification

• Supporting the technical assessment of large infrastructure projects in the electrolytic hydrogen space at an internationally recognised level as part of the UK's Hydrogen Allocation programme. This will involve assessing applications to the Department for business model support, supporting the due diligence of shortlisted projects' plans and schedules for project delivery and feeding into technical discussions during bilateral negotiations. This will include, for example, critically analysing and advising on a project’s FEED study, risk registers, cost information, planning and permitting approaches and delivery schedule.

• Day-to-day work will include supporting on project planning, analysing issues, managing external consultants and their contracts and managing work packages, presenting to senior managers and external stakeholders.

• Representing DESNZ in external meetings with project developers and cross-Whitehall. This includes providing technical input into negotiations and clear advice on these discussions to senior managers and external organisations.

• Being an intelligent client for external technical experts to Government, ensuring their advice is robust and credible.

Skills and experience

We would love to hear from you if you are interested in playing a leading role in delivering the UK's first at-scale Hydrogen and ICC projects. This is a great chance to help make it happen.

We are looking for the following skills and experience:

• Strong analytical skills are crucial, and it is essential that the postholder has a science and/or engineering background that demonstrates an ability to understand the technical elements of industrial carbon capture and/or hydrogen projects. You will require specific specialist technical knowledge, as an internationally recognised expert, or delivering internationally recognised technical work, to discharge responsibilities of the post.

• Good written and oral communication skills, with the ability to describe, explain and make the case for evidence-based decisions. The ability to communicate complex and sometimes technical issues clearly and concisely to colleagues, stakeholders and ministers is essential.

• Excellent collaborative skills. You will be working with the lead hydrogen and ICC negotiating teams, the network optimisation team, business model policy teams and other CCUS and hydrogen teams.

• Good project management skills with a strong track record of delivery against challenging deadlines. You will be managing the work of external technical experts as well as working with a wide range of external and internal stakeholders such as projects developers and other governmental bodies.

Desirable Expertise:

• Technical expertise in hydrogen production.

To qualify for the Science & Engineering Specialist Allowance, the post holder will be required to have specific specialist technical knowledge, as an internationally recognised expert, or delivering internationally recognised technical work, to discharge responsibilities of the post, in addition to relevant qualifications and/or knowledge and experience of the technical discipline.

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 750 words) to describe how your skills and experiences will help you succeed in this role.

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 05/02/2024

Interview dates: w/c 12/02/2024

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.