The standard selection process for roles at GDS consists of:
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a simple application screening process - we only ask for a CV, responses to 2 knockout questions and a security check question Important tip - please ensure that your responses include how you meet the skills and experience listed in the person specification section above
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a 30 minute phone screen where you will be asked a few role-related questions to enable us to get to know you better
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a 60 minute scenario-based interview focused on managing/leading engineering teams (conducted over video conferencing)
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a 90 minute competency-based panel interview including system design question (conducted over video conferencing)
Depending on how many applications we get, there might also be an extra stage before the video interview, for example a phone interview or a technical exercise.
In the event we receive a high volume of applications, we will conduct the initial sift against the lead criteria which is:
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have experience leading and managing engineering teams / engineers
In the Civil Service, we use Success Profiles to evaluate your skills and ability. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, increases performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. Well be assessing your technical abilities, skills, experience and behaviours that are relevant to this role.
For this role well be assessing you against the following Civil Service Behaviours:
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seeing the big picture
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communicating and influencing
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developing self and others
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making effective decisions
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leadership
We will also be assessing your experience and skills against the following skills defined in the Lead Developer (management) role:
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development process optimisation
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modern standards approach
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information security
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systems design
Want to know more about who Government Digital and Data are? Click Here
Recruitment Timeline
Sift completion: 20th August 2026
Phone Screen: 28th August 2026 onwards
Technical Interview: 10th September 2026 onwards
Panel interviews: 21st September 2026 onwards
Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.
A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.
Sponsorship
DSIT cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DSIT holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.
Location
Whilst this role's location is Manchester, if you are a current Civil servant working in DSIT and based in Bristol/London you are also able to apply for this role. If you are successful, you will retain your current location and pay.
Security:
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.
For meaningful checks to be carried out, you will need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time, to enable appropriate checks to be carried out and produce a result which provides the required level of assurance. Whilst a lack of UK residency in itself is not necessarily a bar to a security clearance, and expectation of UK residency may range from 3 to 5 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements needed for the role may result in the withdrawal of provisional jobs offers.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
