Title:  Investigations Analyst - NESO

About the role

National Energy System Operator’s (NESO) strength lies in our people. Together, we’re shaping the future where clean, affordable energy is accessible for all. Every day is an opportunity to make a real difference, accelerating the progress of sustainable GB energy, keeping people connected and society thriving as we create a brighter tomorrow.

As a member of the Resilience and Emergency Management directorate (REM), the Investigations Analyst is responsible for performing thorough and independent analysis of events or emergencies that occur in the GB energy system, identifying the root causes of the event, appraising the industry response, and developing actionable insights that drive continuous improvement to system resilience. Our role is to tell the story of what happened, and why. This will include working with industry, government and the regulation to identify ways to improve prevention and emergency readiness, as well as support in developing investigation standards and methodologies aligned to best practices.

The Resilience and Emergency Management role will be a significant and core activity within the NESO. It will be focused on understanding and planning system resilience across electricity and gas and the interactions between them. The key purpose of this will be to provide whole system coordination and analysis, allowing delivery of independent, expert advice and information to government and the regulator, alongside strategic coordination and preparation for emergencies across energy vectors.

This role can be based from Wokingham, Warwick, Glasgow or London, and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home. We are open to full time and part time applicants, as well as flexible working arrangements.

About us

The creation of National Energy System Operator (NESO) is driven by an urgent need to unify and optimise our approach to energy. A more integrated and coordinated strategy is needed to meet the unprecedented challenges of climate change, ensuring secure energy supply, and keeping costs manageable for consumers.

Join us and empower your potential, energise our team, and be part of something bigger.

Your energy, our future, together.

About the National Energy System Operator (NESO)

In Autumn of 2024, the ESO transitioned to National Energy System Operator, or NESO for short. Previously denoted as the Future System Operator (or FSO), the new National Energy System Operator is the independent body responsible for planning Great Britain’s electricity and gas networks and operating the electricity system.  

The ESO, including all of its existing roles, are now at the heart of the new National Energy System Operator. As NESO, we will build on our existing roles, capabilities, and ways of working significantly to create an organisation the energy system and its users’ need. Our new capabilities will enable us to look across vectors, including electricity, natural gas and hydrogen, and crucially consider the trade-offs between them.

The organisation is set up as a public corporation with its own Board of independent directors, with complete operational independence from government, the regulator and any and all commercial interest. As was the ESO, NESO will be licenced and regulated by Ofgem through price control agreements and obligated to identify optimal solutions to system operations and planning in the most sustainable, affordable and secure way for all.

Key Accountabilities

• Apply a researched, methodical, and analytical skillset to investigate energy-related incidents, accidents, and events to determine the root causes, contributing factors, the sequence of events that led to the occurrence and also the response of industry participants to the event or emergency.
• Support the Investigations Manager in developing a whole system, independent Investigations Capability, and in building new ways of investigative working within NESO and with stakeholders.
• Support the ongoing development of a toolkit for investigations and post-event and emergency analysis, ensuring a fit-for-purpose approach that leverages best practices for post-event and emergency investigation from the energy industry and more widely.
• Conduct detailed analysis of systems, processes, documentation, and evidence to identify failures (physical, technical, systemic, policy) that may have contributed to the incident, and develop meaningful insights and recommendations
• Support in the identification of the underlying causes of events – considering a wide range of factors (e.g., system error, force majeure, human error, equipment failures, procedural breakdowns, communication issues, and industry factors).
• Manage relevant data, reports, documentation, and evidence (internal and external) related to events in a prudent manner, sharing only where appropriate and aligned to best-practice data management techniques.

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• Support delivery of lessons learned sessions with key stakeholders to share insights gained from investigations and to improve organizational awareness and responsiveness to potential risks.
• Maintain independence in the event that the NESO’s role in an incident is a subject of any investigation, ensuring appropriate controls are fully adhered to.
• Be able to support/lead engagement with stakeholders across the UK’s energy system, including Government and our Regulator. Facilitate in-person and online industry discussion and engagement in support of transparent, positive and collaborative discussions.
• Analyse quantitative and qualitative data received from industry to understand, and tell the story of, an incident.
• Be able to translate large, complex, and often disparate pools of data into a compelling narrative.
• Lead on key work assignments and keep senior colleagues informed and translating such work into meaningful insights that shape future decision-making and guidance.

**If you have a strong analytical background and a genuine interest in the energy sector but may not have all the above experience we would still like to hear from you.**

About you

We’re forging the path, and we know we can’t do it alone. That’s why we need visionary minds like yours to join us on this transformative journey. In this case, we’re looking for someone who:

• Experience of the gas industry or electricity industry (namely distribution network) are of particular interest. knowledge of the structure, regulatory environment and the short- and long-term issues affecting the industry is useful, but not essential to the role.
• Ability to balance a strong, methodical, analytical skillset with engagement and building of relationships and the NESO’s reputation with regulator and industry.
• Proficiency in conducting thorough investigations – including data collection, root cause analysis, assessments and interpretation of multiples sources of information.
• Experience in post-event or emergency analysis, either in an energy context or a different context where reliability, integrity, professionalism, and resilience is key.
• Effective interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate articulately at a senior level, and with a broad external audience
• Ability to think holistically and bring together discrete expertise to facilitate a whole system approach.
• Ability to assemble complex ideas, issues, and observations into clear and simple explanations that inform decision making and action.
• The team operates in a high paced environment which would suit a candidate who has good organisation skills and personal resilience.

What you'll get

A competitive salary up to £65,000pa – dependent on experience and capability.

As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus based on company performance, 26 days annual leave as standard and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%.

As we work towards creating a cleaner, greener, and more affordable future for all, we also work towards creating a place for our teammates to belong, with professional and personal growth and positive well-being.

• Full support and career-development resources to expand your skills, enhance your expertise, and maximise your potential along your career journey.
• A diverse and inclusive community of belonging, where teammates are empowered to bring ideas to the table.
• Generous Total Rewards Plan – comprising of health, finance and wealth, work/life balance, and career benefits.

More Information

This role closes on 5th January 2025 at 23:59, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary.

We work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office. 

We're committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.

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