Written Application
As part of the application process you will be asked to provide a CV, setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. The CV is an on-line tool accessed through the Civil Service Jobsite and there is no requirement to upload your personal CV. Our CV element is short and allows an initial check of eligibility.
It will be used for information purposes only and will not be assessed, therefore, please put the main content of your evidence and skills in your Personal Statement.
Personal Statement (maximum 1250 words)
The Personal Statement should explain how your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, based on the Essential Criteria set out in the Person Specification.
When completing your Personal Statement, please read and understand the Essential Criteria thoroughly, as this is what your written evidence will be assessed against. Your layout is entirely your preference; you may choose narrative, bullets, etc. You may choose to address each criteria separately however, one narrative example may cover and evidence several essential criteria.
Please ensure you evidence and explain what you did that is relatable to those requirements. You do not have to explain the whole process, just what skills and experience you have used.
In the event of a large number of applications being received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Lead Criteria:
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Communicate information clearly and effectively to different audiences, adapting your approach and communication style where needed. Demonstrate the ability to handle sensitive or challenging conversations professionally and respectfully.
Candidates who meet the minimum standard required in the initial sift, will be progressed to a full sift.
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.
Anonymisation
DWP operates an anonymised recruitment process, you should remove any personal details that could be used to identify you. Failure to do so will result in your application being withdrawn.
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. Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn. Internal DWP candidates may also face disciplinary action.
Examples of plagiarism can include:
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Presenting the work, ideas and experience of others as your own
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Copying content from an online or published source that is not your own
Interview
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a face-to-face interview lasting up to 50 minutes. The interview panel will be a minimum of two people. During the interview you will be asked a mixture of Behaviour and Strength questions. The Behaviours being assessed are detailed in the job advert. Strength based questions explore - what you do regularly, what you do well and what motivates you. Candidates may be asked probing questions if their response is deemed to require further information to determine suitability for the role.
The written application sift is scheduled to start week commencing 17th August 2026.
Interview dates are scheduled to start week commencing 7th September 2026.
Please note that these dates are only indicative and could be subject to change.
Offer
Once all interviews have been completed, candidates will be notified of the outcome by email and offers will be made in merit order.
Acceptance of an offer confirms your agreement to accept appointment to a post at one of the locations listed in this advert.
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.
Working Pattern
DWP is a family-friendly employer and part-time and job-sharing working patterns within standard working hours may be available subject to business needs. We will consider colleagues with existing part-time contracts providing these align with operational requirements.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 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).
- 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.
Hybrid Working
Certain job roles may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.
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.
Visa Sponsorship
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, as DWP is unable to guarantee sponsorship for any role.
Disclosure and Barring Service and Internal Fraud Database Checks
In order 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.
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.
DWP takes development seriously. Our aim is for our colleagues in these roles to be appropriately skilled and qualified as determined by the business. To support this aim you may be required to undertake a work based qualification, which may be in the form of an apprenticeship, which will support you in further developing your professional knowledge and skills for this role and your future career development. The qualification can be undertaken in work time, you agree to take this job on the basis that you may be required to undertake a work based qualification; a candidates failure to participate fully in the professional programme, once appointed, may be a breach of their employment contract.
Important
If you hold a level 3 qualification (2 A levels or equivalent) then please bring your certificates with you to the interview if you have them.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
