Policy Lead

Job description

Job summary

At the forefront of the fight for a greener, fairer energy system, Ofgem is helping turn ambitious energy policy into meaningful change for millions of consumers. Were looking for Policy Leads to join us and help shape the policies behind some of the countrys most important renewable energy and social schemes.

Ofgem is Great Britains independent energy regulator. Were at the forefront of change across the energy sector, driving toward Net Zero whilst protecting energy consumers, especially vulnerable people.

Were offering this permanent role with the chance to contribute to a major programme of policy development and delivery at the cutting edge of the Governments Net Zero agenda. Youll join Policy & Scheme Development within our Delivery & Schemes directorate, working in an area where effective policy can make a meaningful difference for consumers. With established schemes alongside new ones in the pipeline, youll contribute at an exciting time for the future of low-carbon energy and social support.

Our schemes have a combined annualised value of approximately 12 billion, giving you the chance to contribute to policy with significant reach and real-world impact. Youll work in an environment that brings together strategy, evidence, effective governance and delivery, while engaging with colleagues and stakeholders across Ofgem, government and the wider energy sector.

Were looking for candidates with excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, alongside an interest in or experience of public policy, energy or Net Zero. Youll also bring the ability to build effective relationships with multiple stakeholders and manage varied priorities to keep work moving forward.

Youll become part of work that supports renewable electricity, renewable heat, energy efficiency and households experiencing or at risk of fuel poverty. With exposure across a significant portfolio of schemes and the chance to collaborate with energy companies, consumer groups, government and other stakeholders, you can apply your skills to policy that delivers tangible benefits for consumers and supports the transformation of Britains energy system.

We have a critical purpose to deliver renewable energy and social schemes that advance Net Zero while ensuring consumers remain at the heart of the energy transition. Join us and help shape policy that turns ambitious goals into meaningful change, supporting a greener and fairer energy system for millions of people.

Please note, this role is being recruited into Ofgem. During 2027, it is expected that this role will move department as part of the Warm Homes Plan. The home department or organisation is expected to be confirmed during 2026. The move between departments will be managed in line with the relevant staff transfer regulations. Please note, this role is being recruited into Ofgem. During 2027, it is expected that this role will move department as part of the Warm Homes Plan. The home department or organisation is expected to be confirmed during 2026. The move between departments will be managed in line with the relevant staff transfer regulations.

Job description

Key Responsibilities and Outputs

Policy Development

• Responsible for high quality, timely, and robust analysis of core issue/s and policy options resulting in evidence based recommendations.
• Drafting of clear and concise documents, including briefings, policy documents, consultations, impact assessments, guidance and decision letters.
• Supporting and directing key workstreams and projects, including responsibility for internal and external stakeholder engagement by prioritising, scoping and delivering work.

Stakeholder Management

• Effectively communicating the benefits, challenges and trade-offs of policy proposals to senior colleagues and partners
• Ensuring delivery by effective collaboration across teams, supporting professions and other sources of evidence and expertise to understand and manage risks and issues
• Responsible for representing Ofgem externally, building constructive and supportive relationships to ensure challenges and issues are identified and resolved in consumers interests.

Person specification

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

Essential Criteria:

• Strong analytical and problem solving skills (LEAD)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrable interest and/or experience in public policy/energy/net zero
• Demonstrative experience in engaging with/managing multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to manage different work activities or workstreams to keep projects on track

Desirable Criteria:

• Energy sector and regulatory knowledge with demonstrable understanding of Ofgem 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
• 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, Ability and Experience.

When you press the Apply now button, you will be directed to a Civil Service test guidance for this can be found here Civil Service online tests - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). The test you are due to take is not timed and you can complete it at your own pace. Upon passing the test, 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 and desirable criteria 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 basic (or equivalent) 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.

Contact point for applicants
Job contact :

• Name : Lisa Buchanan
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commissions 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 [email protected]. 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 Role Profile_Policy Lead (2A) Opens in new window (pdf, 122kB) Candidate Pack_Policy Lead (2A)_477728 Opens in new window (pdf, 755kB) Terms & Conditions April 2025 Opens in new window (pdf, 323kB)