Policy Manager

Job summary

As Great Britain’s energy system continues to evolve, the policies and decisions made today will play a vital role in delivering a secure, affordable and resilient energy future. Ofgem is seeking Policy Managers to help shape high-profile regulatory work that will influence the future operation of the electricity market and wider energy system.

Ofgem is Great Britain’s independent energy regulator. We’re at the forefront of change across the sector, driving toward Net Zero whilst protecting consumers, especially vulnerable people.

We’re offering three permanent opportunities within our System Operation and Markets portfolio, supporting some of the most strategically important work taking place across the energy sector.

The successful candidate would be deployed to either of the following teams depending on their skills, experience and interests:

• The Markets and Operational Reforms team: we are responsible for delivering balancing and settlement reforms under the Reformed National Pricing (RNP) programme, working closely with DESNZ and NESO to deliver a fair, affordable, secure and efficient electricity system.

• The System Operation team: we are responsible for policies related to system operation, balancing cost and operational dispatch, restoration, NESO markets and the development or arrangements for dedicated network service provision.

• The NESO regulation team: we are responsible for designing and operating the regulatory and performance incentive frameworks for NESO,working closely with DESNZ, NESO and industry to facilitate NESO’s delivery of major energy system outcomes, at a cost that maximises value for consumers.

Job description

This is a real opportunity to work on policies that will have a lasting impact on consumers, industry and the future operation of Great Britain's energy system, and you'll enjoy a varied role where no two projects are the same.

You'll bring strong policy analysis and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex issues and develop robust, evidence-based recommendations. Alongside excellent organisational, communication and collaboration skills, you'll have knowledge or experience of the energy sector, energy regulation or another comparable regulated environment, with the ability to build effective relationships and deliver at pace across multiple priorities.

In return, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to some of the most significant policy developments taking place across the energy sector today, within a collaborative and inclusive environment where you'll be encouraged to develop your expertise and grow your career.

We have a critical purpose to help ensure Great Britain's energy markets remain secure, efficient and fit for the future. Join us and help shape the policies that will support that mission.

Person specification

Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within your supporting statement, how you meet each of the essential criteria. In the event of receiving a large number of applications, an initial sift may take place on just the lead criteria indicated in the essential criteria.

Essential Criteria:

• Policy analysis / problem-solving skills: the ability to assess complex problems and make sound, evidence-based policy recommendations. [Lead]

• Organisational skills: the ability to plan and prioritise to successfully deliver at pace while managing multiple priorities.

• Communication skills: strong written and verbal communication skills to clearly and effectively communicate complex issues, both in written documents and orally.

• Collaboration skills: the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders.

• Sector knowledge or experience: Knowledge or experience of working in energy policy, energy regulation, the energy industry or similar regulated sector.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,232, OFGEM contributes £10,206 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).Ofgem can offer you a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes; 30 days annual leave after 2 years; Excellent training and development opportunities; The opportunity to join the generous Civil Service pension which also includes a valuable range of benefits; hybrid working (currently 1 day a week in the office but this is kept under review), flexible working hours and family friendly policies. Plus lots of other benefits including clean and bright offices based centrally, engaged networks and teams and an opportunity to contribute to our ambitious and important targets of establishing a Net Zero energy system by 2050. This exciting blend of professional challenge and personal reward identifies career opportunities at Ofgem as something to get excited about.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

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

When you press the ‘Apply now’ button, you will be asked to complete personal details (not seen by the sift panel), your career history and qualifications.

You will then be asked to provide a 1250 word ‘personal statement’ evidencing how you meet the essential skills and capabilities listed in the role profile. Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within your supporting statement, how you meet each of the criteria listed in the role profile. In the event of receiving a large number of applications, an initial sift may take place on just the lead criteria indicated in the essential criteria.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected, you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by [https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn].

At Ofgem, we expect our staff to carry out their roles with honesty, fairness and openness. They should follow the Civil Service code and be free from any influence or bias. We are committed to making sure interests are recognised, declared and managed appropriately so that we can fulfil our duties as an energy regulator. Our Conflicts of Interest policy outlines the types of interests Ofgem staff must declare before onboarding, and the rules they must follow throughout employment so that we can clearly demonstrate that our decisions are not influenced by private interests.

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 theCivil 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.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Rob Wilkins
• Email : recruitment@ofgem.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ofgem.gov.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of these Recruitment Principles.

In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly via recruitment@ofgem.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website.

Attachments

468890 - Policy Manager Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 659kB)468890 - Role Profile_2A System Operation and Markets Opens in new window (pdf, 189kB)Terms and Conditions April 2025 Opens in new window (pdf, 335kB)