Deputy Director, power sector investment policy

Our power system is transforming as we move towards a renewables-based system, and will need to grow significantly in future years as more of the economy is electrified. This creates several new policy challenges. As part of our response to these challenges, we are moving towards a more strategically planned approach to what investment occurs in new capacity where and when, so that it is better coordinated across our power system.

A new Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) is being developed which will provide a blueprint for what investment we want to see. However, this Plan will not in itself drive action on the ground. To achieve this, we also need to reform the different policy levers which affect these siting and investment decisions across the power system, so that we deliver the new Strategic Spatial Energy Plan efficiently and effectively.

This role leads our work to reform the different policy levers which affect siting and investment decisions across the power system. Our goal is to align these policy and investment levers behind the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan and strengthen our ability to strategically plan and co-ordinate the system we need. By reforming how these decisions on the siting of new investment are made, current estimates are that we could save £10-20bn for consumers over the 2030-50 period, equivalent to around £20-40 off the average annual household electricity bill.

This work is therefore a real opportunity to bear down on the long-term costs of our energy system and help make energy more affordable for all, which is a key Ministerial priority.

As Deputy Director, power sector investment policy, you will be responsible for:

• Leading our work to reform the different policy levers which affect siting and investment decisions across the power system, so that they are aligned with the SSEP. This includes decisions which will affect hundreds of £billions investment support for power generation and on network infrastructure, as well as cross-cutting levers such as spatial planning and locational charging.
• Leading HMG decision-making to shape how these levers need to be reformed to deliver the SSEP, working closely with the relevant policy teams across DESNZ, Ofgem and NESO who own or have an interest in the different levers. You will lead HMG decision-making on the trade-offs this presents across the power system, including how we ensure continued competition to keep costs down for consumers, and how we should take account of uncertainty. You will ensure these decisions are implemented across the different policy teams and organisations involved, including leading on some detailed policy design and implementation from within the Programme.

The role sits within the Reformed National Pricing Programme and is also responsible for some of our Programme-wide activities, such as stakeholder engagement, comms and briefing. As a senior leader within the Programme and the wider Directorate, you would also be expected to make a full contribution as a member of our senior leadership team, including by working collaboratively across boundaries and flexing resources in line with overall priorities, leading on elements of our local People Plan, and ensuring the Directorate remains a welcoming and inclusive place for everyone to work.

We encourage applications from candidates based in any of DESNZ’s Places for Growth locations as well as London.

Candidates should note that the Directorate has a well-established local L&D programme which receives positive feedback. Other development opportunities will depend on the individual, but the role offers good exposure to a range of policy, delivery and commercial issues.

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)

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

How to apply

To apply for this post please follow the instructions on the CS Jobs website by no later than 23:55 Monday 28th September 2026. As part of the application process you are asked to complete the following:

1.A CV setting out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role, relevant achievements in recent posts, together with reasons for any gaps within the last two years.

2.A Statement of Suitability (no more than 1000 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification.

3.Shortlisted candidates will be invited to undertake an assessment as part of this recruitment prior to a final interview panel:

• A staff engagement exercise: a structured exercise which involves shortlisted candidates facilitating a discussion with a selection of staff from the Department on a given topic.

These assessments will not result in a “pass” or “fail” decision. Rather, they are designed to support the panel’s decision making and highlight areas for the panel to explore further at interview.

4.Final Interview

Candidates may choose to attend their interview face-to-face in London or virtually.

Overview of the Process

Government Recruitment Service will acknowledge your application and advise you of the outcome of the sift meeting. Depending on the number of applications received there may be a second stage sift.

Applications will be sifted to select those demonstrating the best fit with the post against the criteria set out in the person specification. Please ensure you keep this in mind when writing your CV and supporting statement.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

Arrangements for interview

The final selection panel interview will be held w/c 2nd November 2026, in person in London.

If candidates are required to prepare a presentation for their interview, they will be given at least one week’s notice of the subject.

Expenses incurred by candidates during the recruitment process will not be reimbursed by the Department except in exceptional circumstances and only when agreed in advance.

Indicative Timeline

Please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and could be subject to change. If you are unable to meet these timeframes, please let us know by contacting scscandidate.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. Please ensure you quote the job title and reference number in your email.

Candidates are asked to note the timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process. The anticipated timetable is as follows:

Advert Closing Date – 23:55 Monday 28th September 2026

Shortlist Announcement – From 6th October 2026

Assessments – W/C 12th October 2026

Interviews – W/C 2nd November 2026

Reserve lists

If we receive applications from more suitable candidates than we have vacancies for at this time, we may hold suitable applicants on a reserve list for 12 months, and future vacancies in the Civil Service requiring the same skills and experience could be offered to candidates on the reserve list without a new competition.

Civil Service Commission

Selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.

In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles, our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of appointment on the basis of merit by fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance you should contact; scscandidate.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission at:

Civil Service Commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road SW1A 2HQ. www.civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk

info@csc.gov.uk.

Alternative Formats

If you wish to receive a hard copy of the information, or in an alternative format e.g. Audio, Braille or large font then please contact:

scscandidate.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

If you are unable to complete your application online, and need assistance, we may be able to put a reasonable adjustment in place to help.

If this is the case, please contact us at: scscandidate.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk and we will look into this situation for you.

Please note we are unable to accept any applications after the closing date, if you require a reasonable adjustment, please let us know prior to the closing date.

Further Information

If you have any questions about applying for this role or want to discuss the role further with the vacancy holder, please contact:

scscandidate.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Please ensure you quote the job title and reference number in your email.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.