Principal Policy Expert

Job summary

At Ofgem, the decisions we make today will shape the future of the energy system for decades to come, and we’re seeking a Principal Policy Expert to help drive that change.

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 a permanent opportunity within our Electricity Security & Market Management team, where you’ll contribute to policy development that supports a secure, resilient and low-carbon energy system. This is work that sits at the centre of how supply is maintained, how investment is enabled and how markets evolve over time.

Specifically, you’ll shape how market frameworks respond to a rapidly changing landscape, ensuring they remain effective, adaptable and deliver for consumers. You’ll contribute to thinking that supports long-term investment, strengthens system resilience and enables the transition to new forms of generation.

You’ll engage with complex, high-profile policy challenges, working closely with senior colleagues, government and industry to develop approaches that balance cost, risk and long-term system needs.

Job description

Working across organisational boundaries, you’ll play a key role in shaping policy direction, contributing to decisions that influence how markets operate and how the energy system develops in the years ahead.

But what about you? You’ll bring expertise in electricity policy, particularly in relation to security of supply, or government schemes for renewable generation such as the Capacity Markets and Contracts for Difference schemes. You’ll be able to analyse and articulate complex problems, assess costs and benefits, and develop robust policy recommendations that reflect risks, trade-offs and wider impacts. Strong organisational skills, the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver at pace, and the confidence to build effective relationships and communicate clearly with senior stakeholders will be key, alongside a strong understanding of the energy sector and Ofgem’s role. Knowledge of interconnectors would be advantageous but not essential.

In return, you’ll join a team that is responsible for electricity security of supply, capability market policy working on some of the most important challenges facing the energy system today, including administering the contracts for difference schemes and electricity interconnectors and advising government on longer-term reforms to the Capacity Market to ensure they represent value for money, provide security of supply and respond to an evolving energy landscape. You’ll have the opportunity to apply your expertise to high-impact work that will stretch your skills and enable you to develop your portfolio of experience. Alongside that, you’ll discover a market-leading benefits package that includes an exceptional pension scheme.

We have a critical purpose to ensure the energy system works in the interests of consumers, now and in the future. Join us and help shape the policies that underpin a secure, sustainable and fair energy system.

Person specification

Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within your personal statement, how you meet each of the criteria below (not more that 1250 words). In the event that we receive a large number of applications, an initial sift may take place on just the lead criteria indicated below.

Essential Criteria:

• Expertise: Knowledge or experience working on electricity policy in relation to security of supply (for example, Capacity Markets and/or Contracts for Difference schemes). [Lead Criteria]
• Policy analysis / policy development: the ability to identify, analyse, and articulate complex problems; assess costs and benefits, identify need for analytical, technical, or legal support, and present robust policy recommendations which highlight risks, trade-offs and wider impacts. [Lead Criteria]
• Organisational skills: the ability to identify and scope appropriate project/research work, plan ahead, prioritise activities (or resources), manage multiple priorities to successfully deliver at pace.
• Collaboration skills: Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Communication skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills that effectively communicate complex issues to non-expert audiences in written documents and orally. Ability to frame policy options and present appropriate analysis to support senior decision-making.
• Energy sector knowledge and understanding of Ofgem’s role and the consumer needs it serves.

Behaviours

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

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

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £63,443, OFGEM contributes £18,379 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.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.

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

454944 - Role Profile Principal Policy Expert_ESMM_CM CFDs Opens in new window (pdf, 104kB)454944 - Policy & Strategy Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 659kB)Terms and Conditions April 2025 Opens in new window (pdf, 335kB)