Job Description

Details

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Reference number

410324

Salary

34,123 - 48,561
National 34,123 - 45,831


London 36,824 - 48,561


Please ensure that you read the Pay and Reward information for civil service and internal colleagues before applying.
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP

Job grade

Higher Executive Officer
Level 2A

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

OFGEM - Strategy and Decarbonisation - Strategy, Economics, Research & Net Zero (SERN)

Type of role

Analytical


Operational Research

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

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Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

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We especially welcome applicants from Glasgow and Cardiff.

About the job

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Job summary

Play a pivotal role in championing the consumer voice at the heart of Britain's energy transition. Ofgem is seeking a Research Adviser to join our Consumer Insight & Behavioural Science team, helping shape a fairer, greener energy system by delivering high-impact consumer research and insight.


As Great Britain's independent energy regulator, Ofgem is driving the transformation to Net Zero while protecting energy consumers especially those in vulnerable circumstances. In a time of rising energy costs and rapid system change, understanding consumer needs, perceptions, and behaviours has never been more critical.


In this role, you'll lead the design and delivery of robust consumer research, including qualitative, quantitative, and deliberative methods. One project you may be involved in is shaping the consumer research programme for the next Electricity Distribution (ED3) price control ensuring that the voices of households, businesses, and vulnerable consumers are central to decisions that will shape the future of our energy networks.


You'll work closely with policy teams, research agencies, and stakeholders across the energy sector to deliver evidence that informs strategic decisions. From designing and commissioning research to analysing industry insights and presenting findings, your work will directly influence how the energy system delivers for consumers now and in the future.


We're looking for a consumer-focused researcher with a strong track record in designing and delivering impactful research. You'll be confident engaging with stakeholders, translating policy needs into research plans, and communicating insights in a clear and compelling way. Your ability to synthesise evidence and advocate for the consumer perspective will be key to your success.


At Ofgem you'll join a collaborative, inclusive analytical profession that values diverse perspectives and supports your development. We offer hybrid working, a comprehensive benefits package, and the opportunity to work on projects that make a real difference to people's lives.


This is a unique opportunity to lead research that puts consumers at the centre of energy regulation helping to shape a system that is fair, affordable, and fit for a Net Zero future.

Job description

Purpose:

Delivery

: Deliver robust research and analysis by leading quantitative, qualitative (including deliberative) or mixed methods consumer research projects.

Impact

: Maximise the value and impact of data collected by Ofgem and external organisations, conducting analysis, synthesising evidence and working with stakeholders to identify use insight to address key policy and strategic questions. Play a critical and central role to advocating and championing the Consumer Voice, providing advice based on robust consumer evidence.

Communication

: Creative communication and dissemination of insights, ensuring Ofgem staff have access to timely, engaging insights on consumers, and helping to ensure the consumer voice is central to policy making.

Key Responsibilities:

Working with policy teams and stakeholders to understand their requirements and translate these into high quality research proposals Scoping, designing and delivering qualitative (including deliberative), quantitative and mixed methods research projects, helping to ensure the consumer voice is central to Ofgem's policy decisions. Lead on project management and procurement for commissioned research projects including preparing briefs, liaising with Procurement, reviewing tenders etc, managing research agencies Support with research activities delivered in-house including running depth interviews, focus groups, conducting analysis and reporting Review, assess and summarise research and evidence conducted by energy industry and other external stakeholders Promote the 'voice of the customer' within the ED3 process, and more broadly across Ofgem and externally including through provision of advice, and effective and creative dissemination of research outputs Responding to ad-hoc requests for data and insight from internal and external teams including input to policy consultations, briefings, senior speeches and ensuring research is effectively interpreted and communicated in policy papers Design engaging PowerPoint presentations and deliver presentations to internal and external stakeholders. Build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders e.g. DNOs, Independent Stakeholder groups, peers in other regulators or government departments and research agencies.

Key Stakeholder Relationships

Internal

ED3 Team The wider Networks directorate Policy teams across Ofgem, including ED3 team Other members of the Research & Behavioural Science sub profession Other analytical functions e.g. economists, data science, monitoring teams Support functions - comms, legal, procurement, finance etc

External

Distribution Network Operators Independent Stakeholder Groups Energy Network Association Consumer groups and charities e.g. Citizen's advice Research agencies Peers in Government Departments, other regulators Energy industry, think tanks, consultancies Government Social Research community

Person specification

ESSENTIAL:

Knowledge and expertise in quantitative and qualitative research methods (including survey design and analysis, in-depth interviewing, deliberative research and inclusive research approaches) (LEAD) Experience leading the end-to-end design and delivery of quantitative/qualitative research projects (LEAD) Ability to draft high-quality, engaging research reports and presentations Ability to build strong and effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders and to translate policy needs into clear research plans Ability to evaluate, interpret and synthesise evidence from a variety of sources, coming to logical conclusions and communicating this effectively to senior non-specialists.

DESIRABLE:

Energy sector expertise

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:


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

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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 (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.

Things you need to know

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Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
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.



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) 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

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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 .
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 and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

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

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Job contact :

Name : Lisa Buchanan Email : recruitment@ofgem.gov.uk
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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.