At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead research on energy policy, providing briefings for MPs and their staff.
- Company: Join the House of Commons, a vital part of the UK's democratic system.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days' annual leave, flexible working, and a generous pension scheme.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of parliamentary democracy, making a real impact on energy issues.
- Qualifications: Strong knowledge of energy policy and excellent communication skills required.
- Other info: Attend virtual info sessions to learn more about the role and application process.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The House of Commons is a unique and exciting place to work right at the heart of the UK's thriving democratic system. Behind the scenes, the House of Commons Service is made up of more than 3,000 employees who support and facilitate the smooth day to day running of the House. They provide professional services to Members of Parliament, their staff, and the wider parliamentary community.
In addition to your salary, we offer an attractive range of benefits including:
- 30 days' annual leave (increasing to 35 days after first full leave year).
- Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%.
- Access to training and development.
- Flexible working.
- Interest free season ticket loan and bicycle loan.
The Research and Information team is home to the House of Commons Library and the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology. We make sure that MPs and their staff have accurate, reliable information at their fingertips. Our mission is to keep trusted information and analysis at the heart of Parliamentary democracy. We also publish our impartial research on our websites, which are viewed around 19 million times a year.
The postholder will work in the Science and Environment Section, which is made up of 12 researchers, in addition to the section head. It is a busy but supportive team to work in. SES briefs MPs and their staff on topics such as energy, climate change, agriculture, flooding, telecommunications, planning, artificial intelligence, science and technology, medicine and public health.
The core work of the role will involve providing briefings for MPs and their staff on energy. The energy portfolio spans a wide range of topics including large scale energy infrastructure, energy efficiency, consumer energy bills, energy trading and markets. Alongside briefing on this core area, the postholder will be expected to cover other related areas as required by business need, with a particular emphasis on planning. The postholder will need to have excellent knowledge of energy policy and legislation. Support and training will be provided to the postholder to build skills and subject knowledge of planning policy if necessary.
The work is often fast paced as we respond to the changing needs of MPs and the demands placed on them. We provide information and briefing to MPs and their staff to support their parliamentary duties. This includes helping MPs' staff with constituency casework and the impact of national policy on constituents.
Some of the responsibilities for this role include:
- Research and briefing work on energy policy and legislation within the Commons Library, including providing accurate, impartial, clear, fit-for-purpose written and oral briefings on legislation and topical issues on relevant subjects, in response to specific enquiries from Members and their staff.
- Preparing and publishing new briefing papers as required (e.g., on topical issues, in advance of second reading and report stages of major bills, and on matters of interest to Parliament) and updating them as appropriate. This includes collaborating with colleagues when appropriate and commenting constructively on others' work.
- Supporting the broader work of the Science and Environment Section, which may include research work on any of the subjects covered by the team.
To be successful in this role you will demonstrate:
- Excellent knowledge and experience of energy policy and legislation.
- Good knowledge of current affairs and UK public policy.
- Ability to absorb complex, technical material, relevant to a subject quickly, and can analyse, interpret and present it clearly and accurately for a non-specialist.
- Experience of using reliable, accurate and relevant information sources and research tools with the ability to assess their value using sound judgement.
- Ability to explain complex information clearly and succinctly using excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to communicate demonstrating strict political impartiality and authority, and in line with the needs of the audience.
- Ability to deal with a changing portfolio of work or cover for colleagues.
- Ability to plan, prioritise and organise your workload to meet deadlines, and other competing demands.
- Ability to maintain high quality standards whilst working under pressure.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team and build and maintain working relationships with a wide range of people.
- Ability to share skills, knowledge and learning with colleagues, with the ability to informally coach others and uphold principles of equality, diversity, inclusion at all times.
If you would like to apply for this role, please submit an application providing evidence against criteria 1-5 in the Job Description. More information on the application process can be found in the Application Support Pack attached. If you are invited to interview, the interview questions will be shared with you in advance.
Please note that most job offers will be made at the minimum of the salary range, other than in exceptional circumstances.
As part of the process, we will be running virtual information sessions on MS Teams for you to find out more about this role and working at Parliament.
Senior Researcher (Energy) employer: HOUSE OF COMMONS-3
Contact Detail:
HOUSE OF COMMONS-3 Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Researcher (Energy)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest energy policies and legislation in the UK. This will not only help you understand the core responsibilities of the role but also demonstrate your commitment and knowledge during any discussions or networking opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with current affairs related to energy and environmental issues. Follow relevant news outlets, blogs, and social media channels to stay updated on trends and debates that could impact MPs and their constituents.
✨Tip Number 3
Attend the virtual information sessions hosted by the House of Commons. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, gain insights about the team and the role, and show your enthusiasm for working in such a dynamic environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with professionals in the field of energy policy and research. Connecting with individuals who have experience in similar roles can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to recommendations or referrals.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Researcher (Energy)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Thoroughly read the job description for the Senior Researcher position. Make sure you understand the responsibilities, required skills, and the specific focus on energy policy and legislation.
Tailor Your Application: When writing your application, specifically address criteria 1-5 mentioned in the job description. Use examples from your experience that demonstrate your knowledge of energy policy and your ability to communicate complex information clearly.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasise any previous roles or projects where you have worked with energy policy or related fields. Mention your experience in providing briefings or research support, as this is crucial for the role.
Prepare for the Interview: If invited for an interview, review the potential questions shared in advance. Prepare to discuss your understanding of current affairs and UK public policy, particularly in relation to energy, and be ready to showcase your communication skills.
How to prepare for a job interview at HOUSE OF COMMONS-3
✨Know Your Energy Policy
Make sure you have a solid understanding of current energy policies and legislation. Be prepared to discuss recent developments in the energy sector and how they impact MPs and their constituents.
✨Demonstrate Clear Communication Skills
Since the role involves providing briefings, practice explaining complex information in a clear and concise manner. Use examples from your past experience to showcase your ability to communicate effectively with non-specialists.
✨Showcase Team Collaboration
Highlight your experience working in teams and how you've contributed to collaborative projects. The House of Commons values teamwork, so be ready to discuss how you can support and learn from your colleagues.
✨Prepare for Fast-Paced Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to handle a changing workload. Think of examples where you've successfully managed multiple priorities under pressure, and be ready to share these during the interview.