Net Zero Analyst - Smart Metering Implementation

Do you have the skills to help turn data and evidence into insights to drive decision making for live, flagship scheme?
The Smart Metering Implementation Programme is looking for a dynamic analyst to lead on a range of analysis underpinning the successful roll-out of smart meters to domestic and non-domestic customers across Great Britain.
Smart meters are modernising the energy system and are a fundamental component in the cost-effective delivery of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. We are replacing traditional gas and electricity meters as part of a national infrastructure upgrade that will make our energy system cheaper, more efficient and more reliable, while also delivering benefits for consumers.
You will have the opportunity to support and lead a major policy area, with significant opportunities for cross-government working and exposure to senior policy stakeholders. It suits a driven individual keen to develop technical analysis and use it to influence real-world policy decision-making. We are an embedded analytical team, working closely with all aspects of the programme, including the policy, operations and management. The role sits within the Smart, Evaluation and Non-Domestic Analysis team, a friendly, multi-disciplinary team. As a team, we are dedicated to professional development, diversity and inclusion, and offer an accommodating and flexible working environment., This is a high-profile opportunity to lead analysis for the Smart Metering Implementation Programme and build evidence to support the rollout of smart meters. You will be encouraged to build effective relationships and work closely with colleagues from a range of backgrounds, including policy officials and other analysts working on reaching net zero. As an SEO analyst on smart metering, you will:
• Produce modelling and analysis to underpin policy decisions which support the rollout of smart meters for domestic and non-domestic consumers. This evidence base will be crucial to make effective and timely policy decisions as the rollout progresses.
• Develop analysis on the costs and benefits associated to the rollout of smart meters and related policy interventions, drawing on the modelling conducted for the 2019 Cost-Benefit Analysis.
• Collaborate and engage with the Smart Metering Benefits and Evaluation team to draw insights from a wide range of research and monitoring data and to embed them in new and existing modelling frameworks.
• Engage analysts across DESNZ to develop evidence around the wider value of smart meters within the energy system, as well as the interactions with other government policies.
• Work closely with policy colleagues to understand and adapt to shifting priorities by establishing positive relationships and ensuring the delivery of impactful and timely analysis.
•The role offers substantial opportunities for presenting analysis across the programme and to a pool of engaged SCS leading the programme.
• Provide line management for a junior analyst in the team, being active in coaching them and supporting their development., You must be able to demonstrate that you satisfy the eligibility criteria and have the competence at the required grade (SEO) for one of the professional bodies. Links are provided to the relevant professions below:
Government Economic Service - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ges-technical-framework-2022
Government Social Research Service - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-government-social-research-competency-framework
Government Statisticians Group - https://analysisfunction.civilservice.gov.uk/policy-store/competency-framework-for-the-government-statistician-group-gsg/
Government Operational Research Service - http://www.operational-research.gov.uk/recruitment/competencies/
To join one of these professions, you’ll need as a minimum to meet one of the following qualification standards, Candidates should clearly state whether they are applying to be an economist (GES), social researcher (GSR), statistician (GSG) or operational researcher (GORS). Candidates should write a statement to demonstrate their suitability for the post demonstrating their professional analytical skills.
Applicants will be assessed against the professional competencies expected at SEO level for the relevant analytical profession below: GES: Analysis of data, GSR: Technical skills: analysis and interpretation, GSG: Data Analysis, GORS: Achieving impact with analysis.
Please note - the CV incorporated into the application form is for information purposes only and will not be scored.
Applications will be sifted on personal statement and any technical skills required.
In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the personal statement.
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 and technical questions.
Interviewees will be asked to deliver a presentation; further details will be provided nearer the time.
Sift and interview dates
Expected Timeline subject to change
Sift dates: w/c 03/06/2024
Interview dates: w/c 24/06/2024
Interview Location: MS Teams.
Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.
Further Information
Reasonable Adjustment
We are proud to be a disability confident leader and we welcome applications from disabled candidates and candidates with long-term conditions.
We fully support adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we encourage candidates to discuss their adjustment needs by emailing the job contact which can be found under the contact point for applicants section.
We do not have an exhaustive list of adjustments that we support but just some examples include additional time to complete your application form, behaviour questions up to 72 hours prior to interview and having extra time at interview.
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., 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.
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).

Apply and further information
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.

We are looking for candidates to demonstrate:
• Strong analytical skills and an ability to lead analytical projects, responding to policy requirements. This includes planning and delivering at pace against key policy commitments and adapting flexibly to rapidly-evolving priorities;
• Ability to effectively present analysis in different formats and to different audiences (including senior leaders) to inform policymaking, outlining conclusions and limitations in a clear and concise way;
• Capability to confidently use Excel for modelling policy outcomes, with scope to use R/Python on some analytical projects. While appraisal represents a significant part of the analytical work on smart metering, the postholder will share these responsibilities with the Grade 7 lead and will be supported in achieving the learning and development required for the role;
• An understanding of the wider context in the Directorate, Department and wider, feeding this context into evolving analytical products;
• A commitment to integrated working with policy teams and motivation to proactively shape and respond to their needs;
• A dedication to your own professional development;
Professional requirements
You must be a full member of one of the analytical professions: Government Economic Service (GES), Government Social Research Service (GSR), Government Statisticians Group (GSG) or Government Operational Research Service (GORS), Economist: Have a first or upper second-class honours degree in economics (or international equivalent), or a postgraduate degree in economics. If it is a joint degree, at least 50% of the course modules must be in economics. You must have studied both macroeconomics and microeconomics.
Social Researcher: For qualification route, must hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:1, or 2:2 with a postgraduate degree, in a social science subject. Qualifying social science subjects are those that contain substantial social research methods training (comprising around one-third of modules taken in the course).
For professional experience route, must hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:1, or 2:2 with a postgraduate degree, in any subject, or hold a degree equivalent, and 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.
Statistician: A degree at 2.1 (or above) or an MSc in a subject with substantial statistical content (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography or similar). Find out more at https://gss.civilservice.gov.uk/careers/joining-us/
Operational Researcher: A degree at 2.1 (or equivalent) or an MSc in a highly numerate subject, or equivalent experience, and be able to demonstrate relevant experience in your career in a relevant profession., Candidates must meet the qualification requirements to be a member of Government Economic Service (GES), Government Social Research (GSR), Government Statistical Group (GSG), or the Government Operational Research Service (GORS). Candidates should check whether they qualify using the links using the links in the job advert. Candidates should also clearly state which they are applying to join., + Delivering at Pace
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Working Together

Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
+ Professional competency expected at SEO for relevant analytical profession

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 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.

Alongside your salary of £40,950, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero contributes £11,056 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 average employer contribution of 27%.
+ 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.