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requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected and any offer of employment being withdrawn.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.
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.
To work at the ONS, candidates must meet both UK right to work and security clearance requirements.
Application Process
Number of Stages: 3 stage process
Stage 1: Civil Service Judgement Test
Stage 2: Application
Stage 3: Interview
Stage 1 - Civil Service Online Tests
Upon submission of Part 1 your application form you will be sent an invitation to complete the Civil Service Judgement online tests.
There will be full instructions on how to complete each test including an opportunity to practice before undertaking the actual test. These tests are not time limited.
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.
If you pass all tests for this vacancy, you will be invited to complete the final stage of your application, this is where you will provide information such as your work history. Skills and experience and Personal Statement.
Stage 2 Application
The assessment process at the application stage will be based on your work history, skills, experience and personal statement. It is important that your application is tailored to highlight the skills, knowledge, and experience relevant to the role.
For your personal statement you are required to answer the questions below using up to 500 words on each answer. As these responses to the questions are scored, we would recommend that you give clear examples for each including the impact of your actions.
1) Thinking about a time you have successfully implemented a change. What change methodology or framework did you use, how did you apply it in practice, and how did it help you achieve a successful outcome?
2) Describe your personal approach to building and managing stakeholder relationships during change. What has worked well for you in the past, and how has your approach led to successful outcomes?
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 may be placed on hold and may be invited to interview at a later date.
Stage 3 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.
Interviews will be carried out via Microsoft Teams.
Our main locations are Newport (South Wales), Darlington and Titchfield.
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 10/08/2026 at 23:55. Please note, both the Civil Service Judgement 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 Wednesday 12th August
Interviews will be conducted from Tuesday 1st September
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.
