Water Supply Technical Specialist
Ofwat (Water Services Regulation Authority)
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 12th May 2024
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About the job
Job summary
We’re Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority —a non-ministerial government department responsible for regulating the water sector in England and Wales.
As the economic regulator of water and wastewater companies in England and Wales, our role is to enable, incentivise and hold companies to account for providing the very best for customers, communities and the environment now and in the future. We also oversee the markets in the water sector to ensure they’re working for customers.
We are at the source of everyday life. Our work is high-profile and fast-moving, within a dynamic and agile environment. The work that you’ll be involved in every day will help us to deliver our strategy, to make us the regulator we want to be and help the sector to deliver for customers and society.
You can find out more about why you should join Ofwat, our strategy, our values and our Framework for Success in the attached Candidate Pack.
Job description
We are seeking 2 x Water Supply Technical Specialists to join our Cost Assessment team at Senior Associate level. This is a unique and exciting opportunity for someone with a background in engineering, water/environmental science or operational/asset management, looking to work on the development and delivery of current and future price reviews. You will not only gain experience working within the regulatory environment, but also have the chance to work and engage with multiple key stakeholders within the water sector.
The Cost Assessment team is key to the delivery of PR24. We are an enthusiastic mix of economists and water sector specialists that are leading on the assessment of expenditure for the current price review. As part of this we lead on assessment of cross industry strategic planning frameworks such as drainage and wastewater management plans (DWMPs), water resources management plans (WRMPs), and environmental programmes, such as the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP).
We lead on a large number of policy areas, including 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. The team works closely with the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), Defra, Environment Agency (EA) and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) on water supply issues. These are big issues for the water sector and beyond, and our contributions are vital.
You will have the opportunity work across several exciting and key areas of PR24 work which could include:
- Assessing elements of company business plans and other evidence submitted for the price review (PR24). This includes the assessment of specific areas of water enhancement expenditure such as investment to deliver drinking water quality and security improvements, or investment to enhance company resilience.
- Applying a range of data analysis and investment appraisal techniques including development of benchmarking models and undertaking detailed reviews of company proposals.
- Engaging with water companies, other regulators (in particular the DWI) and wider stakeholders throughout the PR24 process.
- Supporting the development of the approach for tracking delivery of investments and undertaking future price reviews.
The successful candidate may come from a variety of professional backgrounds and is likely to have experience in water supply process management, design, or delivery, water resilience scheme investment planning, design or delivery (e.g. network reinforcement, interconnectivity and water treatment works investment), or water production operations. This can also include experience in water company emergency planning, physical and cyber security activities, and investment planning.
Key deliverables
In this role you will be expected to:
- Apply technical expertise and/or operational insights to provide support and advice to areas of economic regulation across the organisation.
- Produce high-quality documents and contribute to external publications.
- Support the design and deliver procedures and processes to ensure thorough and effective cost assessment of company plans during the price review (PR24) and beyond.
- Undertake data analysis and critically evaluate analysis or products of professional peers.
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including the Environment Agency (EA), Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Water Companies, and any other relevant bodies.
- Work closely with colleagues across Ofwat to align with other areas of work.
Person specification
To be successful in this role you will need the below essential attributes, experience, skills, and knowledge.
Experience, skills and knowledge
- Lead Criterion: Relevant experience within water sector engineering, capital or environmental programmes, asset/operational management and/or business planning.
- Degree level qualification in engineering, science, or similar technical specialism/discipline.
- Numerate with analytical and problem-solving skills, including experience of analysing and accurately interpreting a range of data and insights to inform evidence-based decisions and solutions for complex problems.
- Good communication (oral and written) skills, including the ability to communicate complex concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Experience of building and maintaining constructive working relationships internal and external stakeholders to understand their needs and expectations, and to influence and collaborate effectively to deliver desired outcomes.
- Experience of designing and delivering procedures and processes.
Attributes
- Creating clarity
- Delivers Outcomes
Attributes as per Ofwat's Framework for Success for Senior Associate Band. You can read more about our attributes here.
Qualifications
Benefits
Why You Should Join Us:
We are forward-thinking, creative, innovative and ambitious. We constantly push the boundaries and embrace new ways of working. We know our people do their best work when given freedom over where, when, and how they work. Which is why we trust them to do exactly that.
With us, your work matters, your voice is heard, and your impact is felt. Ours is a culture of trust, flexibility, autonomy, collaboration, and innovation. We all want positive change for water customers, the environment, and the future of water.
You will also benefit from:
- Excellent employer pension contributions, for this role ranging from £10,695 to £14,485. You can find further details about pension schemes in the terms and conditions below.
- 25 days’ annual leave (increasing to 30 with each year of service) plus bank holidays and an extra 2.5 days of privilege leave
- Access to exclusive discounts on a variety of goods and services, including retail outlets, theatre tickets, holidays, insurance, and a gym membership
- Flexible working arrangements that suit your lifestyle
- Fees paid for membership of relevant professional bodies
- Up to 3 volunteering days per year
- Recognition vouchers scheme
- Generous shared parental leave and pay
- Enhanced sick pay
- Regular development opportunities
- Health and wellbeing initiatives
- Cycle-to-work scheme
- Season ticket loan for home-to-office travel
- Free eye tests and contribution to lenses/spectacles for VDU users
Things you need to know
Selection process details
How to apply
Apply through the Civil Service Jobs website where you’ll be asked to create an account and complete an application form (CV and personal statement). If you’re unable to make an electronic application, please contact recruitment@ofwat.gov.uk and we will support you in completing your application.
Please ensure you have submitted your application in full ahead of the deadline listed below. Unfortunately, we won't be able to consider late applications.
Selection timetable
- Closing date: 23.55 on 12 May 2024
- Sifting: week commencing 13 May 2024
- Interview date(s): week commencing 20 May 2024
Assessment process
Sift Stage
At sift stage we assess your application against key essential skills, experience, and knowledge, listed in the professional requirements section above.
In your application, please state clearly how your skills, experience, and knowledge meet the essential criteria.
In the event of receiving a large number of applications, a pre-sift may take place on just the following lead criterion:
Relevant experience within water sector engineering, capital or environmental programmes, asset/operational management and/or business planning.
In your personal statement, please tell us how your skills and experience meet the lead criterion, with examples if appropriate.
You may find the STAR method useful in structuring your personal statement.
Interview Stage
We will assess your Experience, Skills and Knowledge as well as Attributes (set out in the professional requirements section) at Interview Stage.
You can read more about Attributes in Ofwat’s Framework for Success.
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.
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 Pack for details on terms and conditions.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
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
