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 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�enormously proud�to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support candidates with adjustments throughout our recruitment process. Information about disability confidence and just some examples of the adjustments that you can request can be found in the reasonable adjustment section below.��
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is�found. To learn more please see the�Civil Service People Plan�and the�Civil Service D&I Strategy.�
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:�?��
You can also follow our LinkedIn Careers Page:���
Job description
The Energy Security and Resilience Directorate is a friendly environment with a clear purpose and collaborative way of working. We ensure the UK has a reliable and resilient supply of energy.
This is a good time to be joining us: we are increasingly moving from an urgent focus on short term domestic energy security in the wake of the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine, to ensuring the UK�s energy security for the long term as we chart a course to net zero.
The Energy Security team sits at the heart of ensuring security of energy supply now and in the future and works across the department and with key external stakeholders to provide a whole system strategic perspective. A role in this team enables you to be at the forefront of shaping the nation�s energy security strategy while monitoring and communicating the current picture to senior audiences.�
We are recruiting for two positions in the Energy Security Team: a G7 Energy Security Strategy team leader and the G7 Head of Gas Security of Supply Policy.
As Energy Security Strategy Team Leader, you will be responsible for developing and overseeing the Department�s strategic approach to energy security � thinking widely over much of the Department�s work to consider the energy security implications and forward path to ensure we can reach Net Zero in an energy secure way.
As Head of Gas Security Supply Policy you will lead a team responsible for considering and responding to challenges to the UK�s gas security of supply. You will work across different issues such as the future of gas, electricity policy and geopolitical issues, build links with teams across the department to understand and respond to policy challenges, and provide advice to seniors and ministers.
Both roles will provide exposure to work carried out in other energy groups within the Department and provide an excellent opportunity to develop your big picture understanding of the energy security landscape, strategic thinking, and leadership, as well as skills in building consensus, resolving challenges, and delivering through others.
These are exciting roles working on a critical policy area with opportunities to brief senior stakeholders, including senior civil servants and ministers. They will involve close working with a variety of teams across the Department and external stakeholders such as the operators of our gas and electricity systems and Ofgem.
We pride ourselves on our dynamic work environment, offering roles that challenge and enrich our team members� professional lives. Joining our team means being part of a supportive environment where your contributions are valued, and your professional development is taken seriously. We work flexibly around the UK, and we are a multidisciplinary team that brings together many Civil Service professions.
Person specification
As a Energy Security Strategy Team Leader, you would be responsible for:
�� Identifying and leading initiatives to identify, develop, and prioritise strategies and measures aimed at bolstering the security of our energy supply in the medium, and long term.
�� Providing a central security of supply function, coordinating workstreams and measures to ensure security of supply, scanning the horizon, making connections between different policy teams, identifying risks, and influencing the department�s overall agenda.
�� Bringing together work from across the directorate and wider to lead on papers and briefings for ministers and senior officials boards, including ExCo.
�� Overseeing the coordination priority strategy projects, legislative reporting requirements.
�� Developing and maintaining a network across the Department to develop an overview, and leverage to support policy coordination and coherence
�� Line management of 2 SEOs, working with the other G7s and G6 in the Strategy Team to create a well-supported and motivated team culture.
The Head of Gas Security of Supply Policy will be responsible for:
�� Working with analysts, operational leads, and external stakeholders to assess and advise on the security of the UK�s gas supply now and in the future, including through delivery of a regular yearly assessment of our winter gas security, and a new external independent assessment of our long term gas security.
�� Building a reliable network of leads across the department to help you track, consider risks, and develop policy solutions to the UK�s security of gas supply now and in the future.
�� Line management of 2 or more SEOs, working flexibly within the wider Energy Security Team and Energy Security and Resilience Directorate to respond to emerging energy security priorities.
Skills and experience
We are looking for candidates who enjoy thinking broadly and critically across a complex and ambiguous policy landscape.
We would like to hear from you if you have:
�� The ability to make connections between a wide range of policies and teams, consider issues at the strategic level and translate these insights into practical actions to drive forward an agenda.
�� Demonstrable experience of delivering through other teams by building mutually supportive relationships where challenge is encouraged. Evidence of working effectively with and confidently engaging senior leaders.
�� Excellent drafting and verbal communication, with the ability to conceptualise and distil a wide range of information into succinct, robust advice.
�� The skills to lead your team to deliver under time pressure and ambiguity, while supporting members� development and wellbeing.
Knowledge of the energy system is valued, but not essential. We welcome applications from outside the Civil Service, especially from those working in the energy sector or with an intellectual curiosity about energy security and net zero.
The successful applicants will be supported through an active learning and development culture, including through a directorate committee dedicated to L&D; access to training fitted to individuals� experiences and interests; access to the DESNZ academy Energy Security and Net Zero Curriculum and roles which offer stretch and development on the job.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
1. Seeing the Big Picture
2. Making Effective Decisions
3. Communicating and Influencing
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
4. Seeing the Big Picture
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �52,985, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero contributes �14,305 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero offers a competitive mix of benefits including:
5. A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours.
6. Automatic enrolment into the, with an average employer contribution of 27%.
7. A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
8. An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue.
9. Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.
Office attendance
The Department operates a discretionary hybrid working policy, which provides for a combination of working hours from your place of work and from your home in the UK. The current expectation for staff is to attend the office or non-home based location for 40-60% of the time over the accounting period.