Energy Adviser: Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
Positions: 1
Band / Grade: B1
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full Time
Location: Hybrid (on-site and remote)
Leave entitlement: Starting at 30 days per annum, pro-rata
Closing Date: 21st February 2025 at 23:55
Interview Date(s): Interviews provisionally scheduled for Friday 28 March 2025.
Working at the UK Parliament offers a unique and rewarding career at the heart of the UK’s democratic system. With a wide range of roles available, our impartial colleagues enable the day-to-day running of the House of Commons, House of Lords and Joint Departments. Together, we make Parliament happen.
* 30 days’ annual leave (increasing to 35 days after first full leave year).
* Interest-free season ticket loan and bicycle loan.
Introduction
This role is based in the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST). POST is a bicameral research and knowledge exchange service. It works to ensure that the best available research evidence and information feeds into the work of Parliament. POST produces research briefings, provides research support, and delivers knowledge exchange and engagement with external researchers.
We are seeking an Energy Adviser to join our team of specialist advisers producing impartial, timely, peer-reviewed briefings that make scientific evidence accessible to Parliamentarians. Key attributes required include in-depth specialist energy knowledge, as well as an understanding of policy and regulation, and the ability to communicate this knowledge effectively with a wide range of people at all levels of understanding.
The Role
As our Energy Adviser, you will be primarily involved in the provision of impartial, non-partisan, and peer-reviewed briefing for select committees, libraries, parliamentarians, and their staff on a wide range of policy topics with a basis in energy and climate change mitigation. Recent energy topics include energy security and AI, demand side response, local area energy planning, and heat pumps.
The postholder is required to work widely with colleagues from across Parliament, including from select committees and the libraries, as well as relevant external stakeholders. We are not expecting you to have an in-depth understanding or experience of working in/with Parliamentary procedures; we will support you to develop that knowledge, but having a good awareness of the work of Parliament, as well as energy current affairs, is essential to the role.
This role involves the supervision of several POST Fellows each year. Fellowships typically last 13 weeks, and supervisors need to have project, research, and people management skills to ensure fellows are able to complete a POST briefing to the required standard within this timeframe. Advisers also have responsibility for administrating fellowship schemes including liaising with the relevant learned societies, professional associations, and funding bodies.
Some of the responsibilities for this role include:
* Oversee work related to energy in POST, including helping to form POST’s future work programme, and supervising academic researchers on placements with POST.
* Research and compile briefing material, drawing on external advice and expertise, to support the scrutiny of a wide range of subjects related to energy and climate change mitigation policy.
* Assist parliamentary select committees by providing written or oral briefings on energy topics, which may include analysis of evidence.
Skills and Experience
To be successful in this role you will demonstrate:
* Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree (2.2. or higher) AND a postgraduate qualification in a subject related to energy (e.g. MSc, MEng, PhD or EngD) OR relevant work experience.
* In-depth knowledge and understanding of at least one area within energy subjects and its related policy and regulation.
* Ability to rapidly source, critically appraise, and impartially synthesise research and data from a range of sources.
* Ability to explain complex and politically sensitive information to diverse and non-specialist audiences using effective communication skills, both orally and in writing.
* Ability to collaborate and develop good working relationships, including coaching and developing colleagues.
* Excellent project management and prioritisation skills.
Next Steps and Additional Information
* Application Form: If you would like to apply for this role, please submit an application providing evidence against criteria 2-6 in the Job Description.
More information on the role and the full criteria can be found in the Job Description.
The interview process will include an interview and a written test. Further details will be provided if your application is shortlisted. If you are invited to interview, the interview questions will be shared with you in advance.
Please note that most job offers will be made at the minimum of the salary range, other than in exceptional circumstances.
Information Sessions
As part of the process, we will be running virtual information sessions on MS Teams for you to find out more about this role and working at Parliament.
These sessions will be on:
* Thursday 30th January at 15:00 – 16:00
* Friday 7th February at 15:00 – 16:00
Please email pearseg@parliament.uk confirming which slot you would like to attend, and you will be sent the MS Teams invite.
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