Can I apply if I am not currently a civil servant?
Yes. This role is open to suitably qualified people in the external market and to existing civil servants and those in accredited Non Departmental Bodies.
Is this role suitable for part-time working?
This role is available for full-time or flexible working arrangements (including job share partnerships). If you wish to discuss your needs in more detail please get in touch with the named point of contact in this pack.
A minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. Although requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.
Will the role involve travel?
Frequent travel is required for this role.
Where will the role be based?
If successful you will be based in Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds or Manchester. Unfortunately relocation costs will not be reimbursed.
Assignment Duration
This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise.
As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.
Can I claim back any expenses incurred during the recruitment process?
No. Unfortunately we will not be able to reimburse you, except in exceptional circumstances and only when agreed in advance.
What nationality do I need to hold in order to apply?
To be eligible for employment to this role you must be a national from the following countries:
- The United Kingdom
- The Republic of Ireland
- The Commonwealth*
- A European Economic Area (EEA) Member State
- Switzerland
- Turkey
Certain family members of EEA, Switzerland and Turkish nationals are also eligible to apply regardless of their nationality.
(*Commonwealth citizens not yet in the UK, who have no right of abode in the UK and who do not have leave to enter the UK are ineligible to apply.)
For further information on whether you are eligible to apply, please visit Gov.UK.
Reserved for UK Nationals
Certain posts, notably those concerned with security and intelligence, might be reserved for British citizens, but this will not normally prevent access to a wide range of developmental opportunities within the Civil Service.
This is not a reserved post.
Is security clearance required?
Yes. If successful, you must hold, or be willing to obtain, security clearance to SC initially, with DV clearance required soon after (at onboarding). More information about the vetting process can be found here.
What reasonable adjustments can be made if I have a disability?
We are committed to making reasonable adjustments in order to support disabled job applicants and ensure that you are not disadvantaged in the recruitment and assessment process.
If you feel that you may need a reasonable adjustment to be made, or you would like to discuss your requirements in more detail, please contact June.wang@miles-advisory.com in the first instance.
Do you offer a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for Disabled Persons?
Disabled applicants who meet the minimum selection criteria in the job specification are guaranteed an interview. Selection will be on merit. If you wish to claim a guaranteed interview under the Disability Commitment, you should complete the relevant section of the online application. It is not necessary to state the nature of your disability.
Is this role offered as a part of A Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative?
This vacancy is part of the A Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative, for further information please see here.
Redeployment Interview Scheme
Civil Service employees (including Senior Civil Servants and Crown Arms Length Bodies) who are at risk of redundancy and who meet the minimum selection criteria in the job specification are guaranteed an interview. Selection will be on merit and at-risk candidates will be able to self-identify during the application stage,
For all guaranteed interview schemes, there may be exceptions made on reasons of time/resource for high-volume recruitment where the vacancy manager may decide to select the candidates who best meet the minimum criteria rather than all of those that meet the minimum criteria.
Will this role be overseen by the Civil Service Commission?
Yes. As this role is one of the more senior posts within the Civil Service, a Commissioner will oversee the recruitment process and chair the selection panel.
More detailed information can be found on the Civil Service Commission website.
What do I do if I want to make a complaint?
The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.
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 sharon.kooner@cabinetoffice.gov.uk in the first instance.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission.
What should I do if I think that I have a conflict of interest?
Candidates must note the requirement to declare any interests that might cause questions to be raised about their approach to the business of the Department.
If you believe that you may have a conflict of interest please contact June.wang@miles-advisory.com and sharon.kooner@cabinetoffice.gov.uk before submitting your application.