How to apply
To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process outlined below. This should be completed no later than no later than 23:55 pm, Monday 20th July. As part of the application process you are asked to complete the following:
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A CV (no more than two pages) setting out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role, relevant achievements in recent posts, together with reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
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A Statement of Suitability (no more than 1250 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification.
Failure to complete both sections of the online application form (CV and Statement of Suitability) will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.
As part of the online application process, you will be asked a number of diversity-related questions. If you do not wish to provide a declaration on any of the particular characteristics, you will have the option to select 'prefer not to say. See the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for more information.
Should you encounter any issues with your online application please get in touch with us via: [email protected]
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, or if you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service at [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
If you feel that you may need a reasonable adjustment, or you would like to discuss your requirements in more detail, please contact [email protected] in the first instance.
Shortlist
Government Recruitment Service will acknowledge your application and advise you of the outcome of the sift meeting. Depending on the number of applications received there may be a second stage sift.
Applications will be sifted to select those demonstrating the best fit with the post against the criteria set out in the person specification. Please ensure you keep this in mind when writing your CV and supporting statement. Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application.
The timeline later in this pack indicates the date by which decision is expected to be made, and all longlisted and shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an assessment and/or interview. This is on a request basis.
Assessment
If you are shortlisted, you will be asked to take part in an assessment. This will be a Staff Engagement Exercise. This assessment will not result in a pass or fail decision. Rather, it is designed to support the panels decision making and highlight areas for the panel to explore further at interview. Full details of the assessment process will be provided to shortlisted candidates at the earliest opportunity.
For further information regarding the assessments please follow this link: https://scs-assessments.co.uk/
For further information on the Civil Service application process and an overview on what to expect, please visit the Civil Service Careers website.
Arrangements for interview
If you are successful at the application stage, you will be invited to attend a panel interview, in order to have a more in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification. We will be assessing against the following Success Profiles at interview: experience and behaviours.
You may also have the opportunity to speak to a member of the department prior to the final interview to learn more about the role and organisation. Please note this is not part of the formal assessment process.
If you are required to prepare a presentation for the final interview you will be given the subject in advance. Full details of the assessment process will be made available to shortlisted candidates. The final selection panel interview will be held virtually.
Expenses incurred by candidates during the recruitment process will not be reimbursed by the Department except in exceptional circumstances and only when agreed in advance.
Selection and Feedback
Regardless of the outcome, we will notify all candidates as soon as possible. Feedback is only be provided if you attend an assessment and/or interview. This is on a request basis.
For further information about the selection process, please view the attached candidate information pack.
Reserve lists
If we receive applications from more suitable candidates than we have vacancies for at this time, we may hold suitable applicants on a reserve list for 12 months, and future vacancies in the Civil Service requiring the same skills and experience could be offered to candidates on the reserve list without a new competition.
Indicative Time Line
Please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and could be subject to change. If you are unable to meet these timeframes, please let us know by contacting [email protected] Please ensure you quote the job title and reference number in your email.
Candidates are asked to note the timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process. The anticipated timetable is as follows:
The anticipated timetable is as follows:
Advert Closing Date 23:55 pm, Monday 20th July 2026.
Shortlist Announcement week commencing 3rd August 2026.
Assessments week commencing 10th August 2026.
Interviews week commencing 24th August 2026.
Further information
If you have any questions about applying for this role or want to discuss the role further with the vacancy holder, please contact: [email protected]
Please ensure you quote the job title and reference number in your email.
Reasonable Adjustment
We are proud to be a disability confident leader and we welcome applications from disabled candidates and candidates with long-term conditions.
Information about the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) and some examples of adjustments that we offer to disabled candidates and candidates with long-term health conditions during our recruitment process can be found in our DESNZ Candidate Guidance. A DESNZ Plain Text Version of the guidance is also available.
We encourage candidates to discuss their adjustment needs by emailing [email protected] in the first instance.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, or if you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service at: [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. Please note we are unable to accept any applications after the closing date, if you require a reasonable adjustment, please let us know prior to the closing date.
Alternative Formats: If you wish to receive a hard copy of the information, or in an alternative format e.g. Audio, Braille or large font then please contact: [email protected]
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
