Job summary
Do you want a career where you can make a real difference? Do you want to work at the forefront of current policy making decisions? Do you want to have an impact on 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 delivering our mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower, with clean electricity by 2030 and accelerating the UK�s journey to net zero. Our work is helping ensure clean energy for all, keep bills down and seize the opportunities to lead the world in new green industries, taking back control of our energy with Great British Energy 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 supportcandidates 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��and the�.�
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Job description
The UK has a secure and diverse energy system, and the gas system which provides much of our heating and power needs will continue to play an important role as we decarbonise, but the amount of gas we use must decline, and the way we use gas must change, in order to reduce emissions and reach Net Zero. The Gas Systems Team has the responsibility for ensuring that the Department takes a system wide view of the gas system�s transition to Net Zero, in a way that is affordable, secure and greener. Our objective is clear and in helping shape how the UK is powered and heated in decades to come, it is of significant importance to the whole country and economy. Delivering this objective will involve working with existing gas networks to help enable the introduction of low carbon gases; working with LNG and interconnector terminals to ensure our import infrastructure meets out current and future gas needs; ensuring gas storage provides short and long term and flexible resilience; and working with regulators to ensure necessary investment is secured and remains affordable for consumers; amongst many other issues. This involves working closely alongside many policy teams across the Department and government, industry, regulators and the system operator to understand, plan and deliver the system-wide changes needed.� This role will sit in the Gas Networks and Decommissioning team, which focuses on the natural gas infrastructure that delivers gas to homes and businesses across GB and beyond. Our objective is to deliver a natural gas network that is affordable for consumers now and in the future, whist ensuring system safety and contributing towards our Net Zero are recruiting for a Senior Policy Advisor to work in the Gas Networks and Decommissioning team within the Gas Systems Division. The team are examining the longer-term role of the gas network as we transition from natural gas to other energy sources, ensuring appropriate investment and a least cost transition. Specifically, the work will involve considering which parts of the gas network must be maintained, which parts can be repurposed, and which need to be decommissioned � as well as developing plans for the financing and governance of these options. This is a high-profile role, with considerable ministerial and industry attention, and will involve developing the government�s options and approach to gas network decommissioning, balancing the needs of consumers, investors, taxpayers and the regulator. You will need to think strategically to balance the risks of gas network decommissioning in terms of costs, security of supply, and stakeholder management. It will be essential to build positive and effective working relationships with teams across the department and government and understand how network decommissioning could impact wider government policy. You will be working with a range of external and internal stakeholders (including the energy industry and regulators), building the evidence base, drafting policy papers and analysis, and scoping out policy direction.
Person specification
Key responsibilities
The successful candidate will have experience working with complexity and detail as well as developing and leading policy development. There are many challenges and interdependencies associated with gas networks and decommissioning, and the successful candidate should be able to work strategically and consider competing requirements, whilst also being reactive to changing circumstances and lobbying from challenging stakeholders. Responsibilities include- Developing and maintaining internal relationships with teams whose work impacts natural gas networks, such as Biomethane, Heat Infrastructure Team and CCUS Programme. - Furthering the team's understanding of the potential challenges and conflicts which may stem from gas network transition with specific reference to gas network decommissioning. - Leading the Department�s policy relating to gas network decommissioning, developing specific policy proposals that are consistent with funding, affordability and Net Zero objectives. - Working across internal and external stakeholders to develop the evidence base for our policy options. - Coordinating the team�s internal working group on decommissioning to ensure we develop consensus on our approach across the department. - Responding to parliamentary, media and public interest on topics affecting natural gas networks and decommissioning policy.
Skills and experience
Essential criteria
- The ability to approach complex problems in a structured way, making use of information from multiple sources to find solutions.
- A track record of working collaboratively, driving progress in the face of a range of diverse viewpoints.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to think strategically and understand how external influences can impact the policy direction and delivery of the programme.
- Strong organisational skills, and the ability to manage priorities and deliver quality results at pace.
- The ability to work collaboratively within and across teams and organisations.
- Flexible and capable of adapting approaches to meet wide-ranging needs in line with business requirements.
Desirable criteria
- Experience relating to the energy sector would be beneficial but not essential.
- A basic understanding of gas networks would be beneficial but not essential.�
- Experience of working with multiple stakeholders on policy development would be beneficial but not essential.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
1. Making Effective Decisions
2. Seeing the Big Picture
3. Working Together
4. Delivering at Pace
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
5. Making Effective Decisions
6. Seeing the Big Picture
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �40,950, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero contributes �11,863 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:
7. A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours.
8. Automatic enrolment into the, with an employer contribution of
9. A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
10. An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue.
11. 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.