Principal Policy Expert - Network Charging

Job summary

The UK's electricity network is entering a period of unprecedented change as we move towards a cleaner way of powering the country. Ofgem is looking for a Principal Policy Expert to focus on Network Charging and help shape the decisions that will make this transformation possible.

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

We’re offering a permanent role with the opportunity to influence some of the most significant changes taking place across Britain’s electricity market. You'll help shape how the costs of moving electricity across the country are charged and recovered. In doing so, you'll support the transition to clean power whilst helping deliver an approach that works for consumers.

With the Clean Power 2030 action plan driving the move to a clean energy system by the end of the decade, you’ll have the chance to operate as a trusted expert in a technically complex and strategically important area. You’ll influence thinking across Ofgem, government and the wider energy sector, contributing to the Reformed National Pricing programme and the future of the wholesale electricity market.

Job description

We’re looking for someone with comprehensive expertise in energy markets and network charging, alongside a strong track record in policy development, regulatory frameworks and delivering complex work in a changing environment. You’ll bring the credibility to operate as a trusted expert, combining technical insight with excellent communication and the ability to navigate complex regulatory and industry issues.

In return, you'll have the chance to work on innovative and exciting projects that push boundaries and create a better future. You'll discover plenty of opportunities to grow professionally and take your career forward, alongside an outstanding rewards package and the flexibility to enable you to thrive both professionally and personally.

We have a critical purpose to help shape an electricity system capable of supporting Clean Power 2030 and Britain’s transition away from fossil fuels. Join us and use your network charging expertise to influence major market reform, guide critical regulatory decisions and help ensure the future energy system works effectively for consumers.

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:

• Comprehensive and proven knowledge of energy markets and the influence of key regulatory measures, including network charging frameworks, transmission access rights, and the connection regimes (LEAD)
• Proven experience and strong skills in policy development, including identifying, analysing, and articulating complex problems; working with the government and legal professionals to develop policy options; and presenting policy recommendations that consider the trade-offs and dependencies that help senior colleagues reach a decision
• Proven experience of delivering projects against challenging deadlines with minimal supervision, and the ability to react appropriately to fast changing circumstances and unforeseen challenges
• Proven experience of acting as a trusted experts that enhances wider teams’ knowledge and capabilities.
• Knowledge and experience of the licensing and industry codes frameworks and change process, and working with the relevant stakeholders
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex issues to nonexpert audiences

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 (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.

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• 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 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 : 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
• 478846 - Principal Policy Expert - Network Charging Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 685kB)
• 478846 - Role Profile - Principal Policy Expert - Network Charging Opens in new window (pdf, 108kB)
• Terms and Conditions April 2025 Opens in new window (pdf, 335kB)
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