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 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 and interview process. You can sign up for upcoming events here: https://forms.office.com/e/pqUhdr3L72

You can also follow our LinkedIn Careers Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/desnz-careers/

Do you have good analytical skills?

Are decarbonising current and future sources of electricity important to you?

And, would you like to use and develop your talent on some of the highest profile and crucial issues facing our nation?

We are looking for 2 analysts to join the Energy Infrastructure and Markets Analysis (EIMA) Team. Analysis is a vital input for Government decisions and our work helps to provide the insights needed to tackle the challenges of meeting our Net Zero ambitions in our electricity sector. Power drives the economy (literally). Keeping the lights on at reasonable cost for every citizen while reducing emissions is our goal.

Renewable Electricity Analyst:

The roles are in the Renewables Electricity Analysis team which sits within EIMA. The post holders will work closely with the Renewable Electricity Directorate, whose mission is to create a policy environment to accelerate renewable deployment whilst delivering value for money for consumers and creating sustainable UK industries.

The post holders will be contributing to a number of workstreams focusing on short-term (~next 5-years) renewables support schemes and their strategic objectives. The area is fast paced, and priorities are constantly evolving given very dynamic energy markets. 

The focus of these roles will be varied but will likely cut across two key analytical areas, subject to business needs.

1. Analysis focussed on developing and optimising the Contracts for Difference scheme, which is the government's principal mechanism for incentivising renewable electricity generation.
2. Helping to ensure the delivery of OFW projects across the UK, a key pillar in the UK Governments clean power mission. The roles will cover areas including understanding the supply constraints in the sector, potential interventions to alleviate any bottle necks and supporting development of the Government's expectations of future OFW requirements specifically in the nascent floating subsector.
   
   

Some examples of the work could include:

Independently contributing to analytical projects to understand policy changes, through various models analytically evaluating impacts on GB energy consumers and renewables supply chains, conducting value for money analyses, assessing impacts on emissions and evaluating the unintended consequences that policies might give rise to.

Working closely with policy colleagues and developing a number of products (e.g. presentations and papers) for senior boards.

Working with a variety of external stakeholders (e.g. Ofgem, National Grid ESO and industry representatives) to assess and appraise policy implications and consequences.

The area is fast paced, and priorities are constantly evolving given very dynamic energy markets.

We work closely with the policy officials to help inform decisions about the power sector, which will involve collaborating with policy and analytical teams to understand the systems that are at work in the area you are working on.

Gathering, analysing and interpreting information to inform policy making. This could involve

• Designing and commissioning insightful research to provide new insights and grow understanding.
• Modelling to develop insights into the energy system.
• Coding dashboards to disseminate analysis effectively.
• Developing statistics and performance measures.
• Evaluating the impact of government policies.
• Analysis to support key strategic priorities.
  
  

Communicating your work to share your insights with your colleagues, senior officials and stakeholders.

Essential Criteria 

Candidates will have:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills. Able to present their analysis in a clear and compelling way to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Critical and creative thinking skills. Able to identify and apply innovative approaches and techniques for analysing evidence and addressing any gaps. Comfortable working with quantitative and qualitative evidence.
• Problem-solving skills. Able to identify efficient and effective solutions to exploit opportunities and address problems.
• Strong team working, and interpersonal skills. Able to build trusting and credible relationships with peers, senior colleagues and stakeholders to collaborate on projects and decision-making.
• Experience working on multiple priorities simultaneously, delivering at pace and maintaining a high standard of analysis.
• Enthusiasm for our work. Being willing to embrace new opportunities and have the drive to learn new skills.
• Good IT skills and numerate. Willing to learn new software and systems to gain new insights. Excel skills are needed for the roles, with coding skills desirable - where necessary, training can be provided.
• The post holders will have plenty of L&D opportunities to build strong understanding of energy markets and a range of renewables technologies, technical skills and wider skills through in-house and external training.
  
  

You must be a full member of one of the analytical professions Government Social Research Service (GSR), Government Statistical Group (GSG) and Government Operational Research Service (GORS) or, you must be able to demonstrate that you satisfy the eligibility criteria and have the competence at the required grade (HEO) for one of the professional bodies. Links are provided to the relevant professions below.

You must provide details within your application as to which analytical professional you are a member of or which one you would like to apply under. Failure to disclose which profession you are applying under may result in an unsuccessful application.

Government Operational Research Service: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gors-professional-behaviours 

Government Statistical Group: https://gss.civilservice.gov.uk/policy-store/competency-framework-for-the-government-statistician-group-gsg/ 

Government Social Research Service: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-government-social-research-competency-framework 

To join one of these professions, you'll need as a minimum to meet one of the following qualification standards:

Operational Researcher:

You must possess a 2:1 or higher numerate degree, or a 2:2 with relevant work experience or postgraduate qualification.

Highly numerate degrees include: Astrophysics, Data Science, Decision Science, Econometrics, Engineering, Mathematics, Operational Research, Physics and Statistics.

Other numerate degrees, such as Accounting, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Economics, Finance, Geography, IT, Management, Management Science, Psychology, Sociology, Social Sciences and Systems Science, may be accepted if 50% or more of the modules are considered highly numerate.

Statistician:

• a first or second class honours degree in a numerate subject (2:1 minimum for Assistant Statistician and 2:2 minimum for Statistical Officer) containing at least 25% taught statistical content (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography or similar)
• a higher degree, e.g. a MSc or PhD, in a subject containing formal statistical training (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography or similar)
•  have achieved or on track to achieve a level 4 apprenticeship including at least 2 years in a statistical/data analysis field in government and are able to demonstrate continuous professional development in statistics/data analysis.
• have worked in a statistical or data science field for a minimum of two years and are able to demonstrate Continuous Professional Development (via a logbook) in applying statistics or data science at the same level as a foundation degree or Higher National Diploma (level five), which demonstrates the expected skills as outlined in the GSG Competency framework.
  
  Social Researcher:

Hold a minimum of 2:2 in a social science related degree (undergraduate or postgraduate), which must contain a minimum of 30% in social research methods, covering all the criteria outlined below (it is not sufficient to hold the majority in one area - coverage across all areas is required):

• Qualitative methods, including research design, data collection (i.e. interviewing, focus groups, ethnographic), data analysis (e.g. thematic analysis)
• Systematic/literature reviews
• Quantitative methods, including research design, data collection (i.e. questionnaire design, sampling, weighting), data analysis (e.g. statistical analysis)
• Interpretation of data (qual & quan), presentation of results, provision of recommendations/ conclusions
• Study design, hypothesis formation, testing and evaluation
• Application of ethics to research
  
  

It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate these criteria clearly on application.

Alternatively, you must hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:2, in any subject, or a degree equivalent (e.g. an advanced Certificate or Diploma from MRS), plus have at least 4 years' social research practice experience. Social research practice experience consists of experience working in a research agency, market research agency or specialist research team. To enter the GSR through this route you must make explicit the breadth and depth of your research experience and skills, which must include quantitative research methods and three of the following: systematic/literature reviews; qualitative methods; interpretation of data and presentation of results; study design, hypothesis testing and application of ethics to research.

Apprentices:
Level 6 apprentices are not eligible for this role, but we welcome applications from Level 7 apprentices on the Economics Master's Apprenticeship Programme (EMAP).

Desirable Criteria 

Coding skills are desirable but not essential. Further training and support can be provided to suit the post-holder's needs.

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
  
  

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• GORS: Knowledge and Application of OR Skills and Techniques, GSG: Data Analysis, GSR: GSR Technical Skills
• If the candidate is a full member of one of the analytical professions - 2 competencies for GORS and 1 competency for GSG and GSG
• If candidate is not a full member of one of the analytical professions - at least 2 competencies.
  
  

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• GORS: Knowledge and Application of OR Skills and Techniques, GSG: Data Analysis, GSR: GSR Technical Skills
  
  

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero offers a competitive mix of benefits including:

• A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours.
• Automatic enrolment into the Civil Service Pension Scheme, with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
• An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue.
• Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.
• A hybrid office/home based working model where staff will spend a norm of 40-60% of their time in the office (minimum of 40%) over a month with flex dependent on balancing business and individual need.
  
  

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.

Job contact

• Name: Gavin Armstrong
• Email: [email protected]
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email: [email protected]