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 position with exciting opportunities to engage high-profile government and industry stakeholders, influence public affairs strategy, and contribute to the future of energy in Britain. You'll collaborate with policymakers, MPs, Peers and industry leaders, managing Ofgem's reputation in a fast-paced, high-impact environment.
Working closely with senior teams and Communications colleagues, you'll have the chance to craft compelling messaging, brief Ofgem representatives for high-profile engagements, and deliver regular updates on evolving political developments. As part of a flexible and collaborative organisation, you'll have the opportunity to contribute across different areas of Ofgem, ensuring you remain engaged and challenged in your work.
We're looking for someone with strong knowledge of the British political landscape and a track record in public affairs, who is a skilled communicator and able to distil complex issues into clear, engaging messages for a wide range of audiences. You'll be adept at managing varied workloads and tight deadlines, with a keen eye for detail and a talent for building trusted relationships, to engage key stakeholders.
Person specification
Key Responsibilities
- Support the design and delivery of an effective public affairs strategy for Ofgem.
- Deliver regular updates to colleagues on relevant developments from political and wider stakeholders, providing insight and intelligence on these for the purpose of issues management.
- Support Ofgem's engagement with key political stakeholders across GB, advising on engagement and briefing Ofgem representatives to prepare them for political appearances such as All-Party Parliamentary Groups, select committee hearings or bilaterals with MPs and Peers.
- Build close working relationships with key influencers to promote and defend Ofgem's reputation.
- Work with Ofgem's Stakeholder Engagement team to plan and execute set piece events such as conferences and senior site visits.
In the event of receiving a large number of applications an initial sift may take place on just the identified lead criteria indicated below.
Essential
- Knowledge of the GB political landscape [LEAD].
- Communications professional with proven experience of working in a challenging external facing communications role, with a demonstrable track record in public affairs and some experience in events [LEAD].
- Ability to absorb complex information quickly, and to communicate it to a non-expert audience in a concise and engaging way.
- Excellent proofreading skills, attention to detail and able to identify what story angles will be of interest to external audiences.
- Experience of managing and prioritising varied and complex workloads to tight deadlines and flexibility to work across external affairs and media relations as require.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the energy sector.
- Understanding of the creation of energy policy across Great Britain and its implications for devolution in Scotland and Wales.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £45,614, OFGEM contributes £13,214 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 (currently 1 day a week in the office but is in 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
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 and desirable skills and capabilities listed in the role profile. Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within your supporting statement, how you meet each of the essential and desirable skills and capabilities.
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expect all candidates to abide by these principles. Ofgem take any incidences of cheating very seriously. Please ensure all examples provided are of your own experience. Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant applications will be withdrawn from the process.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a 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
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) .