Senior Policy Advisor – Civil Nuclear Capability Strategy

Department for Energy Security & Net Zero

Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 17th November 2024

 

Details

Reference number

376460

Salary

£40,950 - £49,795
National: £40,950- £45,265; London: £44,500 - £49,795 (pro-rata for part-time hours)
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Job grade

Senior Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

DESNZ - Net Zero, Nuclear and International - Nuclear Power, Infrastructure & Decommissioning

Type of role

Policy

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

Aberdeen, Birmingham, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, London, Salford

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 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/  

Job description

Our nuclear capability is fundamental  to ensuring energy security, national security and health security for the UK. Attention and investment are needed to ensure our nuclear capabilities evolve and develop to meet our needs. We are looking for a policy advisor to join the Nuclear Cluster in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to work on developing a civil nuclear capability strategy. Our team has led a substantive piece of work identifying capability gaps across the civil nuclear landscape. The incoming policy advisor will play a key role in the next stage of this project which will develop a civil nuclear capability strategy. This will involve collaboration with key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Defence, National Nuclear Laboratory, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and other national laboratories. The post holder will also have the opportunity to support policy development for other innovative applications of nuclear. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is interested in working on high profile and cross-cutting policy areas.


Our team, Nuclear Infrastructure, Capability & International (NICI), is part of the Nuclear Power, Infrastructure and Decommissioning Directorate in the Nuclear Cluster in DESNZ. We hold sponsorship of the National Nuclear Laboratory and are leading policy in Fuel Supply, Strategic Capability, Innovation, Civil-Defence Collaboration, and International Engagement. We are a friendly and welcoming team, who are supportive of learning and development opportunities, with colleagues currently based in London, Salford, and Birmingham.

Person specification

Key Responsibilities

The post holder will be responsible for the development of the civil nuclear capability strategy, including engaging with seniors and external stakeholders. The post holder will work collaboratively across the Strategic Capability and Innovation team to support a wide ranging and diverse portfolio. 

Responsibilities will include:  

1. Working with technical advisors and policy officials to develop policy interventions to address capability gaps across the nuclear fuel cycle that risk delivery of HMG policy ambitions. 

2. Acting as secretariat for the Director led Nuclear Council. 

3. Building strong working relationships with Arms-Length Bodies, industry and international stakeholders.

4. Digesting and analysing data or evidence to support policy development and recommendations.

5. Briefing Senior Civil Servants, the Director General, the Chief Scientific Advisor, Ministers and others on policy development. 

6. Holding and maintaining a Security Check clearance.

7. If not London based, being prepared for semi-frequent travel to London in order to attend secure meetings with colleagues in Ministry of Defence.

The post holder will also need to work flexibly and be prepared support other areas of work within the Nuclear Infrastructure, Capability and International team.

Skills and Experience

Essential:

Experience in policy development/project delivery, with ability to support and lead in an evolving area. 

Experience digesting and analysing highly technical and complex information.

Ability to see and draw together the bigger picture to make  evidence-based strategic recommendations to seniors.  

Good written and verbal communication skills, the ability to present complex information to a general audience, and experience in drafting briefings.

Networking and stakeholder management skills, particularly building relationships with colleagues in DESNZ.

A strong team player and willingness to support the wider team when required.

SC security clearance is required for this role. 

Desirable:

Experience working with/in the nuclear sector.

Experience working on a spending review.

Experience working with sensitive information and data up to secret classification.

Behaviours

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

  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Making Effective Decisions
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. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

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.

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.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and behavioural statements. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Please note - the CV incorporated into the application form is for information purposes only and will not be scored.

Applications will be sifted on behavioural statements. 

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the lead behaviour statement 'Communicating and Influencing'.

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 questions.

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 25/11/24

Interview dates: w/c 2/12/24

Interview Location: MS Teams.

Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.

Further Information

Vetting

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

Reasonable Adjustment

We are proud to be a disability confident leader and we welcome applications from disabled candidates and candidates with long-term conditions. 

Information about the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) and some examples of adjustments that we offer to disabled candidates and candidates with long-term health conditions during our recruitment process can be found in our DESNZ Candidate Guidance. A DESNZ Plain Text Version of the guidance is also available. 

We encourage candidates to discuss their adjustment needs by emailing the job contact which can be found under the contact point for applicants section. 

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.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
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.

Diversity and Inclusion

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 (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

  • Name : Claire Housley
  • Email : claire.housley@energysecurity.gov.uk

Recruitment team

  • Email : desnzresourcing.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance DESNZrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints

Attachments

DESNZ TCs v1.2 Opens in new window (doc, 174kB)

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