Reference number
291840
Salary
£52,661 – £80,550
Job grade
Other
Principal
Contract type
Fixed Term
Length of employment
2 Year Fixed Term Contract
Business area
OFWAT – Company Performance and Price Reviews – PR24
Type of role
Analytical
Engineering
Environment and Sustainability
Science
Working pattern
Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
Number of jobs available
1
Location
Birmingham (B5 4UA) or London (E14 4HD) based with hybrid working
About the job
Job summary
Ofwat (The Water Services Regulation Authority) is a non-ministerial government department. We regulate the water sector in England and Wales.
Safe, reliable and sustainable water and wastewater services are essential for our day-to-day lives, our well-being, and our natural world. Our role is to help the sector build trust and confidence with customers, the environment and wider society.
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.
Please read the attached “Candidate Information Pack” to find more about why you should join Ofwat.
Price Review Directorate
The Price Review Directorate is responsible for developing the approach to, and delivery of, future price reviews including the next price review in 2024 (PR24). In December we published ‘Creating tomorrow, together: our final methodology for PR24 Overview – Ofwat,’ which sets out how we will drive companies to deliver more for customers and the environment. The methodology reflects our four key ambitions for the review:
- focus on the long term,
- deliver greater environmental and social value,
- reflect a clearer understanding of customers and communities, and
- drive improvements through efficiency and innovation.
Job description
The Team and The Role
The Cost assessment team is key to the delivery of PR24. We are an enthusiastic mix of economists and technical water sector specialists that are leading on the assessment of expenditure for the next price review. As part of this we lead and work on the cross industry strategic planning frameworks such as drainage and wastewater management plans (DWMPs), water resources management plans (WRMPs) and the environmental programmes, including the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP). We also lead work on a large number of policy areas such as how we can maximise the delivery of best value, how to ensure that companies focus on the long term and adapt to and anticipate change, how we can move towards net zero efficiently, and how best to reduce sewer flooding and improve drought and wider resilience. These are big issues for the water sector and beyond and our contributions are vital.
We are seeking a Principal Water Demand Specialist (engineers, scientists, or asset managers) to join our Cost assessment team. We are particularly interested in candidates that have a background and experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Water demand management activity and investment in areas such as leakage, water efficiency, metering; or
- Water mains renewal and asset health activity and investment.
The role will work across several key areas of PR24 cost assessment work which could include:
- Leading the development of approaches to assessing company water expenditure (leakage, metering, water efficiency) for PR24 and how we benchmark costs and benefits including taking into account wider impacts, such as net zero, environmental benefits and climate change;
- Assessing the quality and ambition of company’s business plans submitted for PR24;
- Leading the assessment of elements of company business plans at the next price review. This includes the assessment of specific areas of water enhancement expenditure such as investment to address drought resilience, delivery of environmental improvements or to reduce water quality risks;
- Applying of a range of data analysis and investment appraisal techniques including development of benchmarking models and undertaking detailed reviews of company proposals; and
- Supporting the development of the approach for future price reviews.
Key role deliverables
As a Principal – Water Demand Specialist, you will be expected to:
- Lead on policy design and deliver procedures and processes to ensure thorough and effective cost assessment of company plans at the next price review (PR24) and beyond.
- Provide thought leadership in assessment of cost and performance (focusing on water enhancement) and related areas.
- Apply technical expertise to provide support and advice to areas of economic regulation across the organisation.
- Use oral and written communication skills to influence and persuade both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Critically evaluate and challenge analysis or products of professional peers.
- Produce high-quality documents, review the work of others and contribute to external publications.
- Work closely with colleagues across Ofwat to align with other areas of work.
- Manage and plan resource of both internal staff, and consultant resource
Person specification
The successful candidates are expected to have the below attributes, skills, experience and knowledge.
Essential Experience, Skills and Knowledge
- Graduate qualification and/or equivalent professional experience in engineering, science, or similar technical specialism.
- Experience of senior roles within water sector engineering, capital or environmental programmes, asset management and/or business planning
- Highly numerate with proven ability to solve difficult analytical problems, and to present the results to technical and non-technical audiences
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, which you can use to persuade both internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience of thought leadership.
- Experience of developing policy, procedures and/or processes.
Attributes:
- Champion and leader of change
- Building the team
- Adaptable thinker
You can read more on attributes and Ofwat’s Framework for Success here.
Benefits
- 25 days annual leave (increasing to max 30 with each year of service) plus bank holidays and 2.5 days 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;
- flexible working arrangements;
- fees paid for membership of relevant professional bodies;
- up to 3 volunteering days per year
- generous shared parental leave and pay
- health and wellbeing initiatives
- recognition vouchers
- cycle-to-work scheme;
- season ticket loan for travel between home and office;
- regular professional development;
Things you need to know
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, including a personal statement. 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 11.55 pm on Sunday 11th June 2023
- Sifting W/C 12th June 2023
- Interview date(s) W/C 19th June 2023
Assessment process
At sift stage we will assess your application and personal statement against some of the essential Skills, Experience, and Knowledge, listed above.
In your application, please describe clearly how your skills, experience, and knowledge meet the essential criteria.
As part of the application, you will be required to write a personal statement on the following topic: Please describe your experience of senior roles within water sector engineering, capital or environmental programmes, asset management and/or business planning.
In the event of receiving a large number of applications, a pre-sift may take place on just the following lead criterion: Experience of senior roles within water sector engineering, capital or environmental programmes, asset management and/or business planning
Interview Stage & Presentation
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 attributes and Ofwat’s Framework for Success here.
As part of the interview process, we will require a short presentation. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates upon invitation to interview.
Please note that the interviews will be conducted via video conferencing software such as Microsoft Teams.
It may be necessary for a second stage interview, which will be communicated to the successful candidates, if required. 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 Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
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.
Apply and further information
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 :Polly Stefanova
- 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.
