Right to Work and Nationality Requirements
To work at ONS, applicants must meet the Civil Service nationality requirements, satisfy UK right to work requirements and, where applicable, meet the relevant security clearance requirements.
If you are unsure whether you meet the appropriate right to work or security clearance eligibility criteria, please refer to the guidance on Gov.uk or contact the recruitment email provided in the advert before applying. Failure to meet these requirements will result in your application being rejected and employment offers being withdrawn.
Visa Sponsorship
ONS are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants are expected to hold a valid right to work in the UK when employment commences. If you are applying on a time-limited visa, this will need to be valid for at least 18 months.
Security Clearance:
For ONS the requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for 3 consecutive years immediately prior to applying and the department will consider eligibility by exception on a case-by-case basis. You will be asked to provide information regarding your UK residency during your application, and failure to provide this will result in your application being rejected.
If you are unsure that you meet the eligibility above, please read the information available on Gov.uk on this link or contact the recruitment email on the advert before applying to discuss, as failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected and any offer of employment being withdrawn.
At the point of SC application, you will need to provide or give access to the following evidence:
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Departmental or company records (personnel files, staff reports, sick leave reports and security records)
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UK criminal records covering both spent and unspent criminal records
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Your credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
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Security Services records
Application Process
Number of Stages: 3 stage process
Stage 1: Civil Service Skills test
Stage 2 : Application
Stage 3: Interview
Stage 1 Civil Service Customer Service Skills test
Civil Service Online Tests
Upon submission of Part 1 your application form you will be sent an invitation to complete Customer Service Skills online tests.
There will be full instructions on how to complete each test including an opportunity to practice before undertaking the actual test.
The test is made up of three parts. Please note that Part 3 is timed, and you will have 10 minutes to complete this section.
For further information about the assessment, including guidance on how to prepare and what to expect, please visit:
Preparing for the Customer Service Skills Test - GOV.UK
We recommend reviewing this guidance before completing the test to help you familiarise yourself with the format and requirements.
If you pass a test, you will then receive a further invite to complete each subsequent test if there is more than one for this vacancy. If you fail a test your application will not proceed to the next stage.
Stage 2 Application
If you successfully pass the online Customer service test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of your application. At this stage, you will be asked to provide additional information, including your employment history and a personal statement.
The assessment process at the application stage will be based on your work history, CV, skills, experience, and personal statement. It is important that your application is tailored to highlight the skills, knowledge, and experience relevant to the role.
As part of your personal statement, you will need to answer the two questions below. You may use up to 500 words for each response.
Your answers will be assessed as part of the selection process, so we encourage you to provide clear and relevant examples that demonstrate your skills and experience. Where possible, explain the actions you took and the impact or outcome of those actions.
1. Question 1 : In this role you will be required to manage multiple, competing priorities. Please give us an example of when you have done this and what considerations you made to deliver a high-quality outcome on time?
2. Question 2 : In this role you will work with peers and senior leaders across the organisation. Describe your experience of working independently and as part of a team. How did you build relationships?
Please note that Success Profiles Behaviour examples are not required at this stage of the application process.
When a high volume of applications are received, the sift pass mark may be adjusted. Candidates will be invited to interview based on their merit order, with those achieving the highest scores being prioritised. Applicants who score below the adjusted pass mark but still pass will be placed on hold and may be invited to interview at a later date.
Stage 2 Interview
If invited to interview, you will be assessed using techniques aligned with the Civil Service Success Profiles framework, covering all behaviours listed in the job advert.
This assessment will consist of a scenario-based presentation exercise assessing against the behaviour managing a quality service . Candidates will be provided with a scenario and supporting information and will have 20 minutes to review the information and prepare their response.
Candidates will then deliver a 5-minute presentation outlining their response to the scenario.
Following the presentation, the panel will move on to the formal interview, where candidates will be asked the remaining interview questions.
Interviews will be conducted via Ms Teams
A reserve list may be held for a period up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made.
Important Dates:
The closing date for the role is 17/09/2026 at 23:55. Please note, both the Customer Service Skills test and written application (work history, skills, experience and personal statement) will need to be completed by this deadline.
The Sift will be conducted from 21/09/2026
Interviews will be conducted from 12/10/2026
Dates are subject to change.
For the full terms and conditions of the post, please see attachment.
Please note that all campaigns may be subject to withdrawal at any stage if the internal resource position changes.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
