Job summary
The UK is at the forefront of a seismic shift in energy policy, battling the challenges of achieving Net Zero and securing a sustainable energy future. At Ofgem, we’re looking for four Policy Advisors (Hydrogen or Gas) to join us and help shape the regulatory frameworks that will underpin this transformation, supporting decarbonisation while ensuring fair and affordable outcomes for consumers.
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 1-year fixed-term contracts with the opportunity to work on cutting-edge regulatory and policy challenges. This is a unique chance to influence critical projects that will have a direct impact on the UK’s energy systems and future. As part of a collaborative and supportive team, you’ll play a vital role in steering the energy industry towards achieving its Net Zero goals.
As one of our Analysts, you’ll have the chance to develop expertise in either natural gas or hydrogen systems, contributing to their regulation and policy design. Whether working on gas operations or hydrogen frameworks, you’ll be engaged in high-profile workstreams that involve close collaboration with government departments, industry, and other key stakeholders. You’ll bring innovative thinking to solve complex policy challenges and contribute to the delivery of ambitious decarbonisation objectives.
We’re looking for four individuals with exceptional analytical and communication skills who thrive in fast-paced, multidisciplinary environments. You’ll bring experience in policy or regulation, a strong interest in energy or public policy, and the ability to manage diverse stakeholders and multiple workstreams effectively.
In return, you’ll enjoy being part of an organisation that values collaboration, inclusion, and purpose-driven work. With flexible working arrangements and access to development opportunities, you’ll have the chance to contribute meaningfully to a greener, fairer energy system.
We have a critical purpose to regulate and guide the transformation of gas and hydrogen systems, supporting the transition to a Net Zero economy while maintaining energy security and affordability. This is your opportunity to be part of this mission and make a tangible impact on the energy industry.
Job Description
These roles sit within the Energy Systems Management and Security (ESMS) Directorate which is responsible for, amongst other things, the regulatory oversight of all gas systems in GB, and assisting our portfolio department, the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), to establish the economic, regulatory and market arrangements necessary to support and regulate a robust and future-proof Hydrogen System.
In the coming years, we will be leading an ambitious programme of work, focused on managing critical risks within existing gas systems to maintaining security of supply and protecting the consumer interest, whilst transitioning and decarbonising those same systems as GB moves further toward net zero. This programme of work will also heavily focus on the development of new Hydrogen Systems as one of a handful of new, low carbon solutions that will be critical for the UK’s future energy security and its transition to net zero. As a Hydrogen or Gas Policy Manager within ESMS you will be at the heart of this ambitious programme and your ideas and commitment to delivery will be critical to our success.
This recruitment round is being used to fill Hydrogen and Natural Gas vacancies within the ESMS Directorate. Current vacancies sit in either the Gas System and Operations (GSO) Team or the Gas Security and Flexibility (GSF) Team (both within the ESMS Directorate). This is a great opportunity to join two fast-growing and highly visible teams responsible for delivering a range of critical policy and analysis products integral to the delivery of Ofgem’s principal objective, and the delivery of Government’s net zero ambitions.
These roles will support the government’s multi-year programme to design and implement business models and a market/regulatory framework to kick-start the hydrogen economy in Great Britain. Funding arrangements for these roles are currently secured for one year.
Person specification
Key Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities are largely similar between both Hydrogen and Natural Gas roles. However, there are some minor variances in responsibilities which are unique to each role. These are outlined below.
Responsibilities For Both Hydrogen And Natural Gas Roles
In both roles, you will be responsible for
- Delivering existing and new regulatory and policy projects at pace. This may include identifying areas for reform or business improvement, scoping and developing policy or change proposals, and implementing new policy or delivering change reforms as necessary.
- Independently researching emerging issues, and gathering, interpreting and synthesizing quantitative and qualitative information and data from a range of public, regulatory and government sources to support regulatory and policy projects, or new policy proposals and change reforms.
- Assisting Senior Policy Managers and/or the Head of Policy Team Lead(s) by drawing on your technical, financial, economic, energy or regulatory policy expertise to develop creative solutions to complex problems, and, recommend and defend robust evidence-based policy positions, through written submissions or via presentations.
- Giving effect to regulatory policy decisions and directions by drafting Authority Decisions, Licence Changes, Statutory Consultations, Public Submissions, and Regulatory Guidance.
- Building and maintaining strong networks and relationships across the energy sector, including with representatives of industry, consumers, government and academia to remain abreast of new trends and developments in energy policy.
- Identifying and managing key policy and project stakeholders in relation to your area of expertise, and developing proactive plans to engage with and influence those parties to further Ofgem’s goals and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. This may include representing ESMS and Ofgem in meetings with other areas, agencies and industry.
- Proactively identifying energy policy and organisational risks and opportunties, and developing new policy, strategies, projects and/or business practices to constructively engage with those risks and realise potential benefits.
- Demonstrating adaptive, resilient and purpose driven behaviours in environments of political, economic or technological uncertainty, and exercising leadership to ensure your peers and colleagues continue to have a clear understanding of purpose, objectives and responsibilities in relation to workstreams for which you are responsible.
Responsibilities For Natural Gas Roles Only
For Natural Gas Roles, you will be responsible for:
- Developing deep expertise and becoming a subject matter expert in relation to one or more areas of Ofgem’s economic regulation and regulatory oversight of GB’s Natural Gas Systems. Areas of regulatory focus may include but are not limted to: Gas System Operations, Gas Shipping, Gas Storage, and Gas Transportation (Transmission, Distribution, and Independent Networks).
- Working with legal colleagues to analyse and interpret the Energy Act, Gas Act and subordinate legislation, Licences and the Uniform Network Code and IGT Uniform Network Code and apply these to novel regulatory situations to provide regulatory advice, guidance and decisions to internal and external stakeholders.
Responsibilities For Hydrogen Roles Only
For Hydrogen Roles, you will be responsible for:
- Developing deep expertise and becoming a subject matter expert in relation to one or more areas of Ofgem’s future potential areas of economic regulation and regulatory oversight of GB Hydrogen Systems. Areas of regulatory focus may include but are not limited to: Hydrogen System Operations, Hydrogen Shipping, Hydrogen Production, and Hydrogen Storage.
- Working with both gas and legal colleagues to interpret the Energy Act, Gas Act and subordinate legislation, Licences and the Uniform Network Code and IGT Uniform Network Code and provide regulatory advice to DESNZ and future regulated entities on the application of existing frameworks to Hydrogen Systems, and the development of potential new frameworks to regulated Hydrogen Systems.
Essential Criteria
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills (LEAD)
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills (LEAD)
- Knowledge of and/or experience working in a regulated sector, in particular of network or sectoral regulation and/or understanding of the structure and key components of economic regulation
- 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
- Knowledge of and/or experience working in the GB gas sector
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
Technical Skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Please refer to the Candidate Pack and Role Profile attached for full details.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £34,123, OFGEM contributes £9,885 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, 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.
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 10th February 2025