Electric Vehicle Smart Charging Senior Policy Advisor

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., Are you looking for an exciting and demanding policy role that will support the UK government to deliver its net zero mission?
The transition to zero emission motoring is well underway in the UK and globally and represents a significant economic opportunity for the UK. The government is committed to phasing out the sale of new vehicles which solely use petrol or diesel by 2030 as part of accelerating the UK’s progress to net zero. The government is also committed to decarbonising the power grid by 2030.
Electric Vehicle (EV) smart charging limits the impact of EVs on the electricity grid through enabling and encouraging drivers to charge at times when demand is lower or renewable energy is more abundant. This saves consumers money, reduces the need for future grid infrastructure investment, and enables increasing use of renewable energy. A number of key barriers need to be overcome to maximise uptake of smart charging.
A key development which we are focused on is the deployment of bidirectional charging (V2X), a new technology which enables electric vehicles batteries to discharge electricity both to power drivers’ homes and to sell electricity back to the grid. This technology has significant potential over the next 5-10 years to reduce the cost of EV charging for consumers and to support the grid to decarbonise. To date government has put significant funding into supporting V2X technology to develop. Deployment of V2X technology could be accelerated by co-ordinated Government support across a number of areas to overcome technical and regulatory barriers.
You will join the Energy Systems and Networks Directorate in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Our vision is to ensure the UK has a reliable, low cost and clean energy system.
We really encourage applications from outside the civil service, from under-represented groups, and from people who will help us promote the value of diversity within the team. We offer an inclusive working environment and work hard to ensure that everyone feels that they are treated with respect, trusted to do their job and contribute their ideas, and able to access learning and development opportunities.

Person specification
You will lead in the department on V2X policy and will be responsible for leading and coordinating what government can do to accelerate deployment of V2X technology. This will include:
- Leading and co-ordinating delivery of work across government departments to unlock barriers to V2X
- Capturing policy learnings from government funded V2X innovation work and ensuring it influences future V2X work
- Working with department analysts and externally commissioned partners to understand the potential of V2X
This is a demanding role in a brilliant team with a real focus on delivery as well as individual learning and development. The role will give you an excellent opportunity to work on policy development and its implementation in an area essential to uptake of electric vehicles and to decarbonisation of Great Britain's electricity grid.
This a rapidly developing, innovative and high-profile policy area and the role responsibilities are likely to evolve according to wider team priorities, with scope for the postholder to also shape the role depending on experience and skills., This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Judgement Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application.
Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 17/10/2024. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Please use your personal statement (in no more than 750 words) to describe why you are applying for this role, why you believe the role to be important to delivery of net zero and why you believe you are the right person for it.
Applications will be sifted on CV and personal statement.
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 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 21/10/2024
Interview dates: w/c 28/10/2024
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.
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 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.
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 would love to hear from you if you can demonstrate the following essential criteria:
• A passion for working in this role
• Experience of designing and implementing policy or strategies in a civil service or external environment
• Ability to work collaboratively with people across teams and organisations and able to drive work forwards when working through others
• Ability to think strategically, able to join the dots between different issues and able to step back and see the big picture
• Ability to pick up new concepts quickly with an ability to get to grips with complex technical issues
• Possession of strong time management skills and a focus on your own learning and development
• Ability to concisely communicate with clarity technical concepts in writing and orally
• Ability to engage with and influence a range of senior stakeholders
Additional desirable criteria:
• Background experience of the energy system is not essential but will make it easier to understand the policy work quickly, + Seeing the Big Picture
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Delivering at Pace

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.

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.