Senior Policy Advisor

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 its 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 fortunate to have a range of excellent staff networks and are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We will support talented people from all backgrounds to build a career and thrive.

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: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/departmentforenergysecurityandnetzero?

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

Job description

The UK is charting a course to net zero emissions by 2050, boosting jobs, reducing our need for expensive, pollutant producing energy, and securing our position as a world leader in low carbon generation. The Government enshrined the world's most ambitious climate change target into law in 2021: to reduce emissions by 78% by 2035 when compared to 1990 levels.

Delivering this ambition is not going to be possible without renewable electricity, and this role offers an exciting opportunity to be a part of this journey.

We are the Renewable Electricity Development Directorate, a high-profile, friendly, and diverse group at the heart of delivering this vision. We support part-time and flexible working at all grades and particularly encourage applications from people with a diverse set of backgrounds and experience.

The post holder would form part of solar team (comprising 8 staff) who are responsible for the development and delivery of policies to support growth of the UK solar sector in line with the ambition set out in the British Energy Security Strategy for a more than quadrupling of all types of solar capacity, up to 70 gigawatts (GW) by 2035.

Person specification

This exciting post is rich and varied and, in supporting Government policy on solar, is topical, sensitive, and involves working on policies that attract national media and senior political attention. It connects broadly with strategic energy security and decarbonisation policy and the evolving Net Zero Strategy.

The post holder will play a key role in developing and supporting delivery of a wide range of recommendations and actions due to be set out in a new UK Solar Roadmap for publication this Spring. These focus on addressing challenges relating to planning and land use, community acceptance, electricity networks, rooftop solar, supply chains and innovation, skills, and communications.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Taking ownership of complicated policy and delivery issues, taking initiative to move work forward;
• Planning and managing a range of projects and pieces of work;
• Using interpersonal skills to involve partners in policy analysis and implementation;
• Facilitating independent research and analysing complex information to provide policy options advice based on evidence;
• Drafting briefing for Ministers and senior officials, communicating complex arguments clearly and concisely to a senior audience, in both written and oral form;
• Preparing, checking, and advising on correspondence, Parliamentary Questions, Freedom of Information requests, and responses to other ad hoc requests to help deliver Ministerial communications;
• Line management of 1 HEO

Skills and experience

We are looking for a candidate who has a demonstrable interest in working in renewable energy; strong, written, and oral communication skills to explain complex issues to ministers, special advisers, senior management, and others; credibility and confidence working with partners across government and externally to drive forward discussions and negotiations; and good political sensitivity. You will also be able to work self-sufficiently; balance multiple priorities and projects efficiently, and collaborate well with other Departments, devolved administrations, industry, and other key delivery partners.

We welcome applications from people who bring transferrable skills from other fields or sectors.

We would love to hear from you if you have:

• Excellent interpersonal skills and confidence forging relationships across teams and government.
• Experience of developing policy and leading projects in complex, often ambiguous and fast-moving environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to clearly and concisely communicate sophisticated ideas to senior audiences through a variety of means.
• Ability to plan, prioritise and quality assure you own work and the work of others.
• Comfortable working closely with analysts and legal to understand technical advice.
• An ability to grasp issues quickly and understand the big picture for DESNZ and HMG.
• Good problem-solving skills with an eye for detail.

It would be useful but is not essential to have experience in a relevant energy policy field.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace