Research and evaluation trial
DWP is conducting a trial to evaluate an automated tool designed to identify similarities between application content and help assess the effectiveness of controls that support the integrity of recruitment processes.
As part of this trial, DWP may use information contained within your application solely for testing and evaluation purposes. The trial will not influence, inform or determine the outcome of your application and will not form part of any recruitment decision.
Participation is entirely voluntary and choosing not to participate will not affect your application in any way.
Further information about how your information may be used for this trial is contained within the attached privacy information notice.
If you do not wish your information to be used as part of this trial, or if you subsequently wish to withdraw your agreement, please contact [email protected]
Stage 1: Application
Your application will consist of four parts:
1. A Personal Details application form.
2. Your employment history detailing your responsibilities, skills, accomplishments and relevant training. Please copy this information into the box field provided. When giving details in your employment history you should highlight your experience in line with the behaviours below.
3. Qualifications - this section should outline all your qualifications relevant to this role.
4.Behaviour statements (up to 250 words each). Your personal statement should show how your skills and/or experience meet the requirements listed. You can use any format you like: narrative, bullet points, etc. You can use one example to cover all the requirements.
Focus on what you have done or would do, and the skills and experience you used or would use. Tell us why you are suited for this role, what skills you have, and any relevant life experiences or passions. If you don't have work-related examples, you can use examples from school, college, clubs, volunteering, or other activities.
Behaviours include:
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(Lead) Communicating and Influencing: Communicate clearly and professionally to suit your audience.
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Leadership: Takes responsibility for own work and learning.
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Delivering at Pace: Demonstrates attention to detail and takes pride in producing accurate work.
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Changing and Improving: Is open to feedback and uses it to improve.
Ensure that all examples provided in your statements are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. If you choose to use gen-AI to support your statements, you must follow the guidelines outlined in the Artificial intelligence and recruitment guide.
The sift panel will use the information in your employment history and behaviour statements to assess your experience, skills and knowledge against the essential criteria above.
An initial sift will be conducted using the lead behaviour statement stated above. Candidates who pass the initial sift will progress to a full sift.
For Hints and Tips on completing your application visit Applying for jobs at DWP Digital.
Important information
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You will be asked to complete your employment history. Any information that you would customarily share on a CV should therefore be entered onto the application form.
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Personal details that could be used to identify you including your name, contact details and address must be removed for your application to be considered.
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If your employment history, qualification section and behaviour statements contains any personal details your application will be withdrawn.
Stage 2: Apprenticeship Eligibility and Skills Check - What you need to know
Candidates who reach the required pass mark at sift will progress to an eligibility check and their details will be passed to our external apprenticeship provider GingerNut Media Ltd.
GingerNut Media Ltd will contact each candidate via email at this stage and undertake a check of the following.
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Qualifications
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Eligibility
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Functional Skills (if required)
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Skills Scan
The Eligibility and Skills check is scheduled to be held from 21st September 2026 to 2nd October 2026. These dates may be subject to change.
Please ensure you engage with GingerNut Media Ltd to enable this check to take place as failure to do so may result us being unable to progress your application. Please monitor your spam folder to ensure safe receipt of the eligibility check via email.
Communications will be electronic and/or by telephone therefore it is important that you check your Civil Service Jobs account regularly, as well as your spam/junk email folder. Telephone calls may show as a withheld number, it is important that you answer so that your interview can be confirmed.
Stage 3: Face to Face Interview
If youre successful at sift stage you will be invited to a face to face interview at your chosen digital hub, from the locations advertised. There, you will be assessed against the following Behaviours:
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Communicating and Influencing
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Leadership
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Delivering at Pace
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Changing and Improving
You will be asked to do a 5 minute presentation on the topic below.
Interviews will take place from mid October 2026. Sift and Interview dates to be confirmed.
Further Information:
Who can start an apprenticeship
To start an apprenticeship, youll need to be:
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16 or over
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living in England
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not in full-time education
You can apply for an apprenticeship while youre still at school but youll need to be 16 or over by the end of the summer holidays to start the apprenticeship. Please note if successful you must be 16 or over to undergo the relevant security checks.
If high application volumes are received, the benchmark for candidates to proceed to the next stage may be raised. In line with our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS), we aim to advance all candidates applying under the DCS who meet the minimum standard. However, we may only progress those candidates who best meet the required standards.
All successful candidates and those placed on reserve will be posted in merit list order by location.
If successful in this campaign, you will be expected to remain in post until you complete your apprenticeship before applying for any other lateral moves within DWP.
Please note that these vacancies are not currently eligible for new applications for Visa Sponsorship on the Skilled Worker route, for any candidates who do not currently have permission to be in the UK as a Skilled Worker where they were sponsored before 4 April 2024, even if relying on tradeable points (including the new entrant tradeable points option) as they are not included in the published Immigration Salary List. This information is offered as guidance only, and we recommend that applicants seek specialist advice on their eligibility for Visa Sponsorship (if applicable) when considering whether to apply for any role.
Further Information
At the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.
Find out more about working for DWP on the DWP Careers Hub.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
If you are placed on a reserve list but we cannot immediately offer you a post, please note:
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If you are later offered the role you applied for, in a location you have expressed a preference for, and you decline the offer or are unable to take up the post within a reasonable timeframe you will be withdrawn from the campaign and removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances (e.g. a contractual Part Time Working Pattern cannot be accommodated in the initial role offered or in cases of serious ill health).
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If DWP makes an offer of an alternative role or location to that which you originally applied for, and you decline that offer, you will be able to remain on the reserve list.
Disability Confident Scheme
If high application volumes are received, the benchmark for candidates to proceed to the next stage may be raised. In line with our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS), we aim to advance all candidates applying under the DCS who meet the minimum standard. However, we may only progress those candidates who best meet the required standards.
Reasonable Adjustments
We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should contact the Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the Reasonable Adjustments section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Integrity, plagiarism and Civil Service Principles
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles.
Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words.
Examples of plagiarism can include:
- Presenting the work, ideas and experience of others as your own
- Copying content or answers from an online or published source that is not your own
Disclosure and Barring Service and Internal Fraud Database Checks
To process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check will be carried out.
Important
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. If you are a current employee and are successful you must be able to be released from your current post within four weeks.
Those on protected TUPE/ COSoP terms and conditions applying on promotion or voluntary permanent level move will adopt DWPs Terms and Conditions and this may have a different impact on pay and allowances. Please review this prior to acceptance of a role.
Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing. Accepting a post will be taken to mean acceptance of revised terms & conditions.
Civil Servants applying on promotion will usually be appointed to the salary minimum or within 10% of existing salary.
Any move to DWP from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may, however, be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at the Childcare Choices Website.
For further information on reasonable adjustments, terms and conditions and how we recruit visit the How we recruit page.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
