Vacancy -- Energy Networks Lead

'Pan Wales' means that the location in which the vacancy can be based is flexible, subject to the needs of the business. Please note it may not always be possible to accommodate a preference for a specific office location, but requests will be taken into consideration.

The post sits within the Energy Division, which is part of the Climate Change and Rural Affairs Group. Energy is a high profile, fast moving and strategically important Division in Welsh Government, playing a key part in delivering the commitments in Net Zero Wales, Wales’s low carbon delivery plan, to tackle the climate emergency. The Energy Division is responsible for a suite of actions to reduce emissions from the energy system and ensure there is sufficient low carbon energy, delivered in ways that deliver increased wellbeing for Wales.

The purpose of the post is to support delivery of the inter-connected electricity and gas networks necessary to achieve a net zero energy system and the ambitious 2030 and 2050 climate targets. The post holder will also support innovation in renewable technologies necessary to achieve an effective and balanced grid system. The role will be responsible for supporting the head of branch to work with the network operators in Wales and key decision makers at local, regional and national levels, to establish plans and secure their delivery. Delivery will also require the post holder to work closely with the owners of national, regional and local statutory plans.

The role will also explore and drive new business models and approaches to balance and manage a net zero energy system, helping to transition the work of the FLEXIS and Smart Living programmes into business as usual across Wales.

• Lead Welsh Government activity to enable connection of the new demand and renewable generation required to achieve Wales’ climate goals.
• Lead on delivering the next steps following the publication of the report from the Future Energy Networks for Wales project.
• Support networks operators to embed Welsh requirements in their operations and bid for innovation funding where needed.
• Support the Energy Networks in Wales coordination group and work to integrate delivery on energy across network operators.
• Involve internal and external stakeholders and UK Government to inform networks plans.
• Work with Planning colleagues to integrate developing network plans with statutory plans.
• Work with innovation programmes (such as the Strategic Innovation Fund and Welsh Government’s Smart Living programme) on development and scaling of new models for delivering integrated energy systems in Wales.
• Develop approaches to engaging people and communities with the delivery of a low carbon network.
• Identify how networks can contribute to delivering a just transition of the energy system.
• Work closely with policy colleagues to feed back evidence and thinking from delivery into the policy process.
• Provide an excellent service to Ministers through contributing to Government business.
• Draft information on the work of the post, including slide packs, speeches and online materials.
• Represent Welsh Government and the Division at meetings and events.

This is a rapidly expanding area of delivery in a high profile and busy team, focusing on energy networks as key enablers of net zero and a more prosperous future for Wales. It will afford the opportunity to develop thinking in new areas, to make sure Wales derives benefit from a once in a century transition and potentially making a real difference for the people of Wales.

The post holder will understand the existing grid policy and delivery agenda. This is an opportunity to work within Government and with external stakeholders across Wales, building understanding of working in a political context and considering Welsh citizens’ needs and priorities. The Division will support the post holder to develop her/his strengths and widen capabilities to progress in his/her career..

11/05/2023, 16:00

Posts recruited to as part of this recruitment campaign are broadly open to UK nationals, those with right to remain and work in the UK and those that meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules only. Check your eligibility here:

• UK Visas and Immigration - GOV.UK

• Nationality rules – GOV.UK

Prior to appointment, all successful applicants will be required to produce original, acceptable documents as part of the pre-employment checks. If it becomes apparent at a later stage in the process that you aren’t eligible to apply, your application will be withdrawn, or offer retracted.

The Welsh Government is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and which promote equality of opportunity. This is underpinned by the Equality Act 2010 and will be adhered to at each stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure that these commitments are also embedded in our day-to-day working practices with all our customers, colleagues and partners.

We are committed to being an anti-racist organisation and increasing diversity in the Welsh Government by removing barriers and supporting all our staff to reach their potential. We are committed to recruiting Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people and disabled people who are currently under-represented in Welsh Government.

We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, marriage and civil partnership (both same sex and opposite sex), impairment or health condition, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, gender identity or gender expression.

We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion and a Disability Confident Level 3 (Leader) organisation. Key to supporting this work and providing peer support are five Board sponsored Staff Networks (Disability Awareness and Support (DAAS); Minority Ethnic Support Network (MESN); Mind Matters (Mental health and well-being); PRISM (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex +) and Women Together.

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

The Welsh Government is a bilingual organisation and Welsh language skills are considered an asset to the organisation. We encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills in the workplace. 

The following list of language requirements represents an objective assessment by the line manager on behalf of the Welsh Government of the Welsh language skills required to undertake the duties of this particular post.

In Welsh Government, the relationship between the employer and trade unions is based on social partnership. We believe our goals can best be achieved by management and trade unions working together.

Our 3 recognised trade unions are:
•         PCS
•         Prospect
•         FDA

This relationship is underpinned by a partnership agreement. This sets out how our unions work with Welsh Government on issues such as:
•         pay
•         terms and conditions
•         policies and procedures
•         organisational change.

Our Welsh Government trade union colleagues work together to give their members a real say in the workplace. They make sure that the interests of their members are promoted and protected. They also help reduce inequalities and improve terms and conditions.

The Welsh Government has an excellent track record of working in partnership with its trade unions. We encourage staff to get involved. We support you to join a recognised trade union, to ensure your voice is heard in the workplace. and to learn more about trade unions and partnership working.

• Unless stated otherwise in ‘actual starting salary’, all candidates will start at the minimum of the pay scale being appointed to (this includes existing civil servants).This is not negotiable.
• Unless stated otherwise in ‘type of opportunity’, this recruitment advert is not open on a Loan or Secondment basis.
• For more information on the eligibility criteria and terms and conditions for Loan and Secondment positions in Welsh Government, please see external recruitment candidate guidance.
• Unless stated otherwise in ‘Location of Post’ the role/s recruited to via this campaign can only be worked in the UK, not overseas.

All applications for this vacancy should be made online via the Welsh Government's online application system.  If you have an impairment which would prevent you from applying on-line, please e-mail SharedServiceHelpdesk@gov.wales to request an application pack in an alternative format, or to request a reasonable adjustment related to an impairment in order to submit your application.

To apply, you'll need to have an account on our online application system.  Click the 'Apply' button below, and you'll be asked to 'Log in' if you already have an account, or 'Register' if you don't yet have an account.  Registration takes just a few minutes to complete.  You'll need an e-mail address to be able to register.  Once you've registered for an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the online application form, which you'll need to fully complete and submit before the deadline on the closing date.  

If you’d like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the ‘Newid Iaith / Change Language’ link at the top of this page, to take you to the Welsh version of this advert, from which you can apply in Welsh.

For further information regarding the Welsh Government recruitment process, please see the Recruitment Guidance for External Candidates (link).

When evidencing your suitability for the post, it is recommended that you refer to the Civil Service Competency Framework (link)

Anyone who believes they have been treated unfairly, or has a grievance or complaint, about how the process was conducted should either write to the Head of Resourcing, Welsh Government, Cathays Park 2, Cardiff CF10 3NQ or email SharedServiceHelpdesk@gov.wales.  If you are unhappy with the outcome of the complaint raised with the Welsh Government and feel that the principles of appointment on merit through fair and open competition have not been met you have the right to pursue your grievance with the Civil Service Commission.