Ofgem Graduate Programme 2024

Embark on a transformative journey with the Ofgem Graduate Scheme, a platform for those eager to make a lasting impact on the UK's energy landscape and the delivery of a Net Zero future. It’s not merely a step into the world of energy regulation but a leap into a future where your contributions drive sustainable change, innovation, and fairness across the energy sector. What sets the scheme apart is its leading approach to professional development, offering a rich array of experiences across policy making, strategic analysis, regulatory compliance, and project management.

As a participant, you will gain insights into the challenges and opportunities within the sector. From day one, you'll be part of a vibrant community of professionals and fellow graduates, working on projects that matter. Ofgem's commitment to mentorship stands out, pairing you with seasoned experts dedicated to guiding your journey, providing a learning environment that is both supportive and challenging.

The scheme offers rotations across different departments to ensure a well-rounded understanding of the organisation’s role in shaping the energy market. This approach, combined with bespoke training sessions and workshops, ensures that you acquire a diverse skill set, from analytical prowess to stakeholder engagement techniques.

What truly differentiates the scheme is its emphasis on real-world impact. You'll be involved in formulating policies that protect consumers, encourage fair market competition, and promote green energy initiatives. Contributing to projects that directly affect millions of people's lives offers a sense of purpose and achievement unmatched by many other graduate programmes.

The scheme champions diversity and inclusion, creating an environment where every voice is heard and valued. This extends to the support and resources available to graduates, ensuring that everyone has the tools and confidence to succeed and we have the diversity of thought to tackle complex problems.

As you progress through the programme, you'll find that the learning never stops. The dynamic nature of the energy sector means that you'll always be at the forefront of developing solutions for the challenges of tomorrow.

If you're looking for a graduate scheme that offers more than just a job, you're seeking a role where your work has meaning, where you can grow professionally while contributing to a sustainable energy future, then this scheme is for you. Here, you'll not only kickstart your career; you'll become part of a legacy of change-makers dedicated to shaping a better, more sustainable world for generations to come

Job description

Ofgem works on behalf of energy consumers to ensure that every household and business in the UK can rely on a safe, affordable and environmentally sustainable energy supply. We are playing a vital part in accelerating the transition to Net Zero and a carbon neutral energy system – a goal that everyone wants to achieve. Whatever your placement, you’ll be playing your part in creating new, secure energy solutions that are great for customers, and great for the environment.

With a culture of inclusion that encourages, supports and celebrates the diverse voices and experiences of our colleagues. It fuels our innovation and helps ensure we can best represent the consumers and the communities we serve. Everyone is welcome - as an inclusive workplace, our employees are comfortable bringing their authentic selves to work.

We operate a Flexible Resourcing model led by professions. The graduate scheme is designed to give you placements across our professions, supporting your career development and progress in your preferred profession. We will consider your career interests and development needs in the way we manage your placements and, for example, if you are more interested in an Analytical Profession career, we will commit to ensuring that there is at least 60% analytical work is in placement.

Our graduate programme has played a critical part in developing people throughout the organisation. Like them, your career progression will be overseen by your own Development Lead with support from the Professions Leads, Human Resources and all your colleagues. Ofgem’s critical work attracts some of the best and most capable and there is a wealth of expertise to learn from across the organisation as well as through your structured learning programme

Person specification

You will be someone who:

Has a keen interest in the energy sector, committed to delivering energy security, net zero and, most critically, ensuring consumer focus.

Enjoys developing new skills, capabilities and being engaged across a broad range of diverse activities, including innovation, solutions generation, working collaboratively with a range of internal and external stakeholders across the sector, research and governmental organisations.

At least a 2:2, and although our intake often comes from disciplines like Economics, Engineering, Business, Finance, Geography, Sciences, Climate Science, Sustainability or Public Policy.

What we care about most are your skills and attitudes, these should include:

• Problem Solving
• Quantitative analytics and data management
• Proficiency in MS Office products including Excel and Powerpoint (software packages like R/ STATA/ PYTHON are desirable but full training will be provided where this is needed)
• Adaptability
• Creativity & Innovative
• Communication, both oral and written

What you will gain from the experience

You will undertake four placements of usually six months (dependent upon progress and business needs) each in a different profession or work area – including: Analysis, Policy & Strategy, Operational Delivery, Project Delivery and Compliance and Enforcement.

For those with a preference for the Analytical Profession we can commit to ensure that they will be posted into roles with a minimum of 60% analytical focus.

Further details of the placements and the support you will be given are included within the candidate pack, but in summary:

• Policy & Strategy placements will see you work in multidisciplinary teams to identify issues, solutions, draft and consult on proposals and ensure effective governance and decision making is supported
• Analytical placements will see you provide the analysis to support those decisions (and if you focus on analysis there will several placements to provide the analysis on a range of issues)
• Project Management will see you support programmes and projects to deliver solutions, achieve outcomes and realise benefits
• Operational Delivery will see you provide operational excellence across service delivery and/or business support either internally, or externally in the provision of our environmental and social schemes on behalf of government.
• Compliance and Enforcement will see you build cases where we consider and apply our powers as a regulator to tackle poor behaviour in the market and ensure customers are protected.

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• Please refer to the candidate pack

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £29,500, OFGEM contributes £7,965 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; up to 30 days annual leave. Excellent training and development opportunities. The opportunity to join the Civil Service pension arrangements which include a valuable range of benefits. Flexible working hours and family friendly policies. Interest free season ticket loan.

More information about the role and the application process can be found in the attached candidate pack and documents.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Ability, Experience and Technical skills.

Essential criteria

• Ability to analyse, understand and draw robust conclusions from evidence
• An ability to problem solve, generate options and communicate issues clearly and effectively, including effective presentation of data, written and spoken communication
• Able to plan-ahead, prioritise and sequence tasks, manage progress and deliver against deadlines
• An ability to build and maintain effective relationships and work as part of a team.
• Demonstrable interest in consumers, public policy, decarbonisation and/or energy.

We will be hosting a free virtual recruitment event on Wednesday 27th March with the opportunity to learn more about the role and ask questions of the panel. 

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.