Specialist Adviser vacancy for Environmental Audit Committee inquiry into ‘Enabling sustainable electrification of the UK economy’

• Inquiry: Enabling sustainable electrification of the UK economy
• Environmental Audit Committee

The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) is inviting applications from individuals interested in being a Specialist Adviser to the Committee for its inquiry into Enabling sustainable electrification of the UK economy.

The Committee’s inquiry is exploring four broad themes:

• how the GB national electricity grid should develop to support the Government’s ambitions for the roll-out of low carbon generation technologies;
• the technological and infrastructural developments required in electricity distribution and storage;
• the governance arrangements required for a decarbonised electricity network, and
• the planning and consenting processes involved in grid development.

The inquiry will address current barriers to the development of electricity networks and the potential benefits which technological innovations can bring to decarbonisation of the electricity grid.

The Committee

The EAC is a cross-party select committee of 16 MPs, chaired by Rt Hon Philip Dunne MP.

Its remit is to scrutinise how far the operation and policies of government departments and their public bodies contribute to sustainable development.

It is supported by the National Audit Office (NAO) in auditing the Government's performance against environmental protection targets.

Unlike most select committees, the EAC's work cuts across government rather than focusing on the work of a particular department.

The role

The Committee wishes to hear from applicants who:

• can demonstrate familiarity with the current governance arrangements of the GB transmission and distribution networks, including the existing processes for securing grid connections;
• can demonstrate knowledge of current research into the development and management of electricity networks and large-scale electricity storage;
• can provide insight into the planning process for nationally significant electricity infrastructure under the Planning Act 2008;
• can suggest from experience which individuals and organisations the Committee should consult on the subject;
• are familiar with the advocacy positions or political affiliations that are held by these individuals and organisations, and with the policy debates relevant to the inquiry’s terms of reference, and
• can demonstrate a strong network of contacts on this subject.

The ability to provide clear, concise and impartial advice orally and in writing to politicians and/or senior decision-makers is essential.

As a Specialist Adviser, you will be working with the Committee secretariat on an ad hoc basis to provide authoritative advice in relation to this subject.  Evidence sessions in the inquiry are likely to be held between November 2023 and February 2024, with a report to be drafted in the spring of 2024.

Work demands from the Committee are likely to be irregular and unpredictable: but only in exceptional circumstances would you be asked to do more than two days' work in a particular week and it would normally be less than this.

You would be paid a daily honorarium on the basis of work done.

Examples of the types of work you may be asked to do include:

• Working with the Committee secretariat, in particular the inquiry manager, on the planning and conduct of scrutiny for the inquiry;
• Contributing to briefing material for the Committee;
• Attending Committee meetings and providing oral briefings when required, and
• Assisting the inquiry manager and Chair in the preparation of a draft report on the inquiry.

The role may involve attendance at Committee meetings in Westminster, and you may be asked to accompany the Committee on any visits it might undertake in connection with the subject.

The Committee will meet connected, necessary expenses.

Specialist Adviser appointments are in the public domain.

How to apply

To apply please send a CV, covering letter and a declaration of relevant interests by email to the Committee Operations Manager at EACom@parliament.uk.

In your covering letter you should indicate:

• how your expertise is relevant to this subject and to the role specification detailed above;
• the amount of time you could realistically devote to Committee work, and
• your ability to take on work at short notice if required during the period of the inquiry.

Your declaration of interests should include anything that a reasonable person might consider could influence the advice you give the Committee: for example, a relevant financial interest, active membership of a relevant campaign group or political party, or the involvement of a close family member in the area of specialism.

Declared interests from successful applicants will be published.

The Committee values diversity and encourages applications from people from a wide range of backgrounds.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the application process, please e-mail Committee staff at EACom@parliament.uk so that we can help you.

Deadline for applications

The deadline to send your CV and covering letter is 12 midday on Friday 1 September 2023.

Shortlisted candidates may be invited to interview (held virtually) on Tuesday 19 September 2023.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact the Committee team on 020 7219 8890.

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

Image: UK Parliament/Tyler Allicock