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/

Would you like to help address one of the most important issues for humanity and the planet? Climate change is a huge challenge for all governments and societies and the UK plays a central role in accelerating progress on climate change internationally.

We are looking for up to three motivated and collaborative Executive Assistants (EA) to join our work. These EAs would be supporting Deputy Directors by helping them to co-ordinate their responsibilities, so that they are able to effectively lead large teams to deliver international climate programmes and the outcomes of energy and climate trade negotiations with the EU and beyond.

Your role will be split between directly supporting the Deputy Directors and working with the wider teams within the International Climate Finance and Strategy and the International Trade and Energy Directorates.

We are friendly, inclusive and diverse Directorates based in London and other place for growth locations around the UK. It is a rewarding and dynamic place to work which supports flexible working and any reasonable working adjustments you need. Your manager will also work with you to create a tailored learning and development plan to suit your career goals.

Key responsibilities

The successful candidates will be responsible for:

• Providing administrative support, including diary and inbox management, to ensure the most efficient use of the Deputy Directors’ time, in line with their preferred working style. This will require excellent prioritisation, attention to detail and anticipating future diary pressures and advising as appropriate.
• Providing general administrative support to the wider team, by assisting with contacts, stationery, IT queries and some travel. This may also involve serving as an information manager, supporting on recruitment logistics, updating team organograms and ensuring that distribution lists are up to date.
• Assisting a positive team identity, working with the Deputy Directors and rest of the team, via ways of working etiquette, team meetings, away days, workshops and other events.
• Arranging travel essential to delivery of programmes for the Deputy Directors by booking transportation and accommodation, processing expense claims within a timely manner and ensuring that a process is in place to handle workloads when the Deputy Directors are away.

They will also be responsible for the following tasks:

• Supporting the team with preparing documentation for sign-off by Deputy Directors;
• Processing financial payments related to programmes on behalf of the Deputy Directors, ensuring all approvals are in place and also ensuring a clear audit trial is recorded. You may also be required to supporting programme teams on wider data collection, reporting and forecasting;
• Arranging meetings related to programme delivery for the Deputy Directors and other team members, both in terms of logistics and supporting team members on other programme tasks;
• Supporting programme teams arrange and deliver high-profile stakeholder engagement events related to achieving programme aims.

Skills and experience

We would love to hear from you if you are an organised and a good multi-tasker, with the ability to work independently, keep calm under pressure and to handle more than one set of diary arrangements if needed.

• Personable and able to build positive relationships with colleagues;
• Good written and verbal communication;
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook and Teams (with additional training available to further knowledge of these programmes);
• Flexible and adaptable to an evolving work environment and is able to keep daily tasks flowing while quickly adjusting plans;
• Able to collaborate effectively and in a positive manner with colleagues;
• Confident at handling sensitive information with discretion.
• Effective at working at pace and handling a reactive workload.
• Able to provide a high level of service, flagging any concerns and making sure that relevant colleagues are updated on plans and any changes.
• We welcome applications from people who bring transferrable skills from other fields or sectors. If you would like to find out what it’s like to work in the Directorates before applying We would be happy to hear from you.

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

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.

Job contact :

Name :
Sarah Lawrence
Email :
sarah.lawrence@energysecurity.gov.uk

Recruitment team

Email :
desnzresourcing.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk