Policy Associate


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Details

Reference number

325687

Salary

£27,240 – £32,000
Please read the attached Candidate Pack for more details on salary.
A
Civil Service Pension
with an average employer contribution of 27%

Job grade

Other
Associate

Contract type

Permanent
Loan
Secondment

Length of employment

This is a permanent appointment, however, we will consider loans/ secondments for up to 2 years.

Business area

OFWAT – Company Performance and Price Reviews – RAPID (Regulator’s Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development)

Type of role

Analytical
Environment and Sustainability
Governance
Policy
Other

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

Birmingham (B5 4UA) or London (E14 4HD) based with hybrid working

Job summary

Ofwat (The Water Services Regulation Authority) is a non-ministerial government department. We regulate the water sector in England and Wales. 

We are forward-thinking, creative, innovative and ambitious. We actively encourage autonomy, collaboration and innovation and there’s a real adult culture fostered by trust, flexibility and respect. 

In 2023 we were awarded ‘Smarter Working Maturity’ recognition for the way that Ofwat has embraced new and modern ways of working, reflecting the spaces we provide, technology we have deployed and the culture and leadership we have embedded to empower choice and flexibility for our people.

We are seeking a Policy Associate to join our RAPID Directorate.

Water is a precious resource. Our water resources are coming under increasing pressure due to population growth, economic development, and climate change. The public and the business expects that water will be available when needed, but also that the way we use water allows for improvements to the environment from which we take it. These factors all contribute to a growing sense of urgency that we need to act now to develop new efficient national supply options to avoid restrictions in the near future.

In response, RAPID (Regulator’s Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development) has been formed to help accelerate the development of new water infrastructure and design future regulatory frameworks. The joint team is made up of the three water regulators: Ofwat, the Environment Agency and the Drinking Water Inspectorate.

Job description

The successful candidate will support with drafting papers, researching policy areas, arranging, and contributing to internal and external meetings, and proactively sharing ideas and knowledge. They will work as part of one of the three teams highlighted below.

The Water Resources team – focuses on activities associated with the statutory water resource management plans and business plans processes, including data analysis, report and letter writing and working with other regulators to provide feedback to water companies.

The Regulatory and Commercial team – focuses on identifying regulatory barriers to the new infrastructure options (“strategic resource options”) in the RAPID programme and contributes to actions to develop policy approaches to resolve these barriers.

The Gated Process team – focuses on supporting the development of the strategic resource options in the RAPID programme through regulator and water company engagement, development of guidance and progress assessment.

The successful candidate will be proactive and comfortable with taking ownership of the work they are responsible for by engaging within Ofwat, environmental regulators and stakeholders as required. You will have excellent attention to detail. You will be required to apply your judgement and exercise responsibility in line with our strategy and ways of working. You will be instrumental in providing support to colleagues across RAPID. This is a unique career opportunity for suitable candidates to develop and consolidate their skill set as we will be supporting you and your development through coaching and mentoring.

Key deliverables

Some of your objectives within this role will include, but will not be limited to:

  • Assisting with the identification of policies which may provide a barrier to a new strategic water resource solutions and developing options for modifying or developing new policies to address those barriers.
  • Researching policies in other utilities to identify any parallels which can be drawn with the water sector.
  • Contributing to the development of strategic resource solutions through regulator and company engagement, development of guidance and assessment of progress.
  • Analysing data and draft documents, reports, and letters.
  • Working with internal and external stakeholders, including the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales and Water Companies, and any other relevant bodies.
  • Providing support with the delivery of relevant projects and programmes.
  • Supporting with the coordination of external and team events.
  • Supporting the directorate, the team, and the other Directorates with other actions arising from RAPID’s work.

Person specification

    To be successful in this post you will require the following attributes, skills, experience and knowledge:

    Essential Experience, Skills and Knowledge 

    • LEAD CRITERION: Knowledge of and/or experience in one or more of the following: water resources supply and policy, the water environment or infrastructure development.
    • Ability to work with internal and external stakeholders to gather and share information and to deliver an objective / project.
    • Ability to work under pressure, effectively planning, prioritising, and managing a varied and changing workload to meet different, and often tight, deadlines.
    • Ability to work independently, and as part of a team, using creativity and innovative approaches.
    • Good written and oral communication skills.

    Attributes

    • Delivers Outcomes.
    • Creates Clarity.
    • Adaptative Thinker.
    • Promotes Collaboration.

    You can read more about Attributes in Ofwat’s Framework for Success.

    Alongside your salary of £27,240, Ofwat (Water Services Regulation Authority) contributes
    £7,354 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

    Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

    Why you should Join Ofwat

    We are forward-thinking, creative, innovative and ambitious. We actively encourage autonomy, collaboration and innovation and we have a unique culture fostered by trust, flexibility and respect.

    We strive to ensure our people feel connected and valued, where their voice matters. You will be provided with the space and support to shape your future while taking greater control of your own growth and development.

    You will also benefit from:

    • 25 days annual leave (increasing to max 30 with each year of service) in addition to 10.5 bank holiday and privilege leave days
    • access to exclusive discounts on a range of goods and services such as retail outlets, theatre tickets, holidays, insurance and gym membership;
    • fees paid for membership of relevant professional bodies;
    • up to 3 volunteering days per year;
    • recognition vouchers;
    • enhanced shared parental leave and pay;
    • enhanced sick pay;
    • cycle-to-work scheme;
    • season ticket loan for travel between home and office;
    • health and well-being initiatives

    Selection process details

    How to apply

    Applicants should apply through the Civil Service Jobs website. You will be asked to create an account and complete an application form. If you are unable to make an electronic application, you may submit your application on paper. Please contact us to find out how at recruitment@ofwat.gov.uk

    Selection timetable

    • Closing date: 23:55 on 26 November 2023
    • Sifting: w/c 27 November 2023
    • Interview date(s): w/c 4 December 2023 and w/c 11 December 2023

    Assessment process

    Sift Stage

    At sift stage we will assess your application against some of the essential skills, experience, and knowledge, listed in the professional requirements table above (please ensure you address the essential criteria in your application).

    As part of your application, you will be required to write a personal statement addressing the Lead Criterion as highlighted below.

    Knowledge of and/or experience in one or more of the following: water resources supply and policy, the water environment or infrastructure development.

    In the event of receiving a large number of applications, a pre-sift may take place on just the lead criterion.

    Interview Stage

    We will test against attributes, as well as skills, experience, and knowledge (set out in the professional requirements section) during the interview process. You can read more on Ofwat’s attributes described here in our Framework for Success.

    Please note that the interviews will be conducted via video conferencing software (Microsoft Teams).

    If you have any queries about any aspect of this role, selection process, or you require any reasonable adjustments please email recruitment@ofwat.gov.uk

    Please read the attached “Candidate Information Pack” for details on terms and conditions.

    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

    Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

    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.
    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

    Job contact :

    • Name : recruitment@ofwat.gov.uk
    • Email : recruitment@ofwat.gov.uk

    Recruitment team

    • Email : recruitment@ofwat.gov.uk

    Further information

    If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact Ruth Noake, Head of Talent & OD, Corporate Enablers (People), Ofwat, Centre City Tower, 7 Hill Street, Birmingham, B5 4UA in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from us you can contact the Civil Service Commission at info@csc.gov.uk.

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