Working in Policy at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

My name is Oana-Diana Georgescu, and I am a Policy Manager in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero , in the Energy Systems and Networks directorate. My official title is Code Governance Reform Lead, but my work is a just a small part of what the Department is doing for ensuring that we are Delivering Net Zero and securing Britain’s energy independence.

I have started this role in March this year – I am what the civil service calls a “generalist” policy professional. This means I have worked in other government departments, on various other policies, such as EU Exit and the Genetic Technology Act. I am currently based in Cardiff, in an office shared with other Government Departments.

What I love the most about the DESNZ is the job satisfaction – I know that my work has a meaningful purpose. A job in this Department will have you interacting with a huge array of stakeholders, from industry to NGOs, to academia, as well as other government departments.? Working here provides opportunities to collaborate with diverse groups and make a collective impact.

Being at the heart of Net Zero and Energy Security will often involve continuous learning and adaptation to evolving technology and policy changes. There are also fantastic training opportunities, whether you want to learn about policy making, how to draft a consultation or legislation, Leadership, or how to write a Ministerial Statement or an Impact Assessment. Sometimes, teams get to go out and experience site visits, such as an offshore wind farm or a nuclear power plant.

?One of the best days for me was when, a few months ago, a few colleagues from various teams and I visited the ESO's Electricity National Control Centre (ENCC).? This is where engineers remotely control the electricity transmission system in real time, moving electricity around the country from where it’s generated to where it’s needed. This has been an amazing experience, learning about what it involves keeping the lights on, literally and metaphorically – and getting to see the impact of my work first hand.

Working in the Department for Energy Security is not only a challenging but also a highly rewarding career, so I would encourage everyone that wants to make a difference to apply for a role here.

If you're interested in a policy role at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, you can apply now on CivilServiceJobs.gov.uk