Apply before
16/07/2026, 23:55
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Reference number
952
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Salary
£45,326
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London weighting allowance (Per Annum)
£4,218
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Role grade
G4
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Contract type
Permanent
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Command
Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT)
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Business Area
Chief Data Office (CDO)
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Type of role
Digital, Governance, Information Technology, Knowledge and Information Management, Risk Management
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Working pattern
Full time, Part time, Flexible Working, Homeworking, Job share
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Number of roles available
1
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Senior Chief Data Officer
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Location(s)
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Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Leicester, London, Normanton (Calder), Warrington
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About the Role
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Information about the Command
Digital, Data & Technology (DDaT), supports NCA operational commands with how we exploit data and to ensure the NCA uses the best technology platforms with the right tools and applications to further enable the NCA to protecting the public from serious and organised crime. We are responsible for defining and delivering our data and technology strategy, policy and architecture, and building and sustaining resilient services which are critical to our mission success.
The pace of change within the digital and tech world means we need to be agile and innovative in how we respond to threats while exploiting the opportunities this presents.
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Information about the Business Area
The Chief Data Office (CDO) provides specialist advice and guidance on all areas of data and information management including knowledge and information management, data governance, and data protection. CDO is the accountable lead for the NCA’s relationship with the Information Commission and also has regular engagement with other regulators and inspectors.
All areas of CDO regularly engage across policing and government departments in relation to the management of information and data.
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Role Summary
As a Senior Officer in the Chief Data Office (CDO) you will be responsible for advising and guiding the wider business to deliver data and information management compliance. Successful candidates will lead their teams to deliver Key Performance Indicators, in line with legislative obligations, including the Data Protection Act, Crime and Courts Act, Public Records Act, Police Information and Records Management Code of Practice, and other applicable legislation - Mitigating information risks and specific data protection related risks across the NCA. The CDO is an integral part of the wider Digital, Data & Technology (DDaT) directorate. Together we play a fundamental part in helping to shape the future of the NCA.
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Role Description
The Chief Data Office (CDO) is an integral part of the wider Digital, Data & Technology (DDaT) directorate. Together we play a fundamental part in helping to shape the future of the NCA.
As a member of the CDO you will play an integral role in the maintenance of the NCA’s Information Management and Data Protection compliance. Your role will involve leading a small team in support of the delivery of a range of key functions which may include:
Providing leadership, advice and support on Data Protection Governance documents, Personal Data Breaches (PDBs), Data Subject Access Requests, National System Audits, Information Risks. Developing and implementing processes that enhance Knowledge and Information Management capabilities.
The provision of leadership, advice and support to the NCA’s most innovative projects to enable cutting-edge ways of processing and managing its data.
All of our roles align with the Government Knowledge & Information Management Profession framework.
This is a really exciting time to join our team as the NCA expands into new technologies to enhance its data exploitation capabilities and enables a more data driven approach to protecting the public from serious and organised crime.
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Duties and Responsibilities
Ensure compliance with information management and records governance: Maintain ongoing compliance with the agency’s information management and records strategies, ensuring alignment with government standards and industry best practice. This includes monitoring governance frameworks and mitigating risks effectively.
Ensure compliance with data protection requirements: Ensure compliance with data protection requirements and the work of the Data Protection Officer in the delivery of their obligations. This work involves delivering technical and case related advice to officers which complies with best practice and guidance.
Provide expert advice on information management and risk: Offer guidance to officers at all levels on information management and records-related matters. Support managers in identifying and evaluating risks and assist in the development of risk registers to ensure consistent and effective risk management.
Lead governance discussions and decision-making: Chair and contribute to discussions at the Data Risk Working Group and Data Governance Board, ensuring decisions and escalations are managed appropriately and in line with organisational priorities.
Prepare reports for internal and external stakeholders: Draft clear and accurate reports for internal groups, Boards, Committees, and other stakeholders as required, ensuring information is presented in a structured and accessible format.
Develop and maintain strategic partnerships: Build and strengthen relationships with internal teams and external partners, including government departments and the National Police Chiefs’ Council, fostering collaboration and shared best practice.
Enhance stakeholder engagement across CDO teams: Work closely with Information Asset Owners and allied security functions to maintain and improve engagement, ensuring alignment and effective collaboration across teams.
Manage staff performance and conduct: Address issues relating to officer performance and conduct in line with NCA values, ensuring fairness and adherence to organisational standards.
Lead, coach, and develop team members: Provide effective leadership and coaching to staff, supporting their professional development and fostering a high-performing team culture.
Provide line management support: Offer relevant support to direct reports and provide cover for colleagues when required, ensuring continuity of leadership and operational effectiveness.
Identify and manage organisational risk: Proactively identify, prioritise, and manage risks within the scope of information management and records governance, ensuring mitigation strategies are in place.
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Person Specification
Understanding of information management legislation, and relevant data protection privacy principles: Possesses a sound understanding of information management regulations, data protection laws and privacy principles. Applies this knowledge to ensure compliance, mitigate risks, and provide informed advice on governance and best practice.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills: Able to convey complex information clearly and effectively in both written and verbal formats. Adapts communication style to suit different audiences, ensuring clarity, engagement, and impact when presenting reports, guidance, or recommendations.
Ability to engage with stakeholders at all levels: Builds strong working relationships and communicates in an open, honest, and professional manner. Demonstrates confidence when influencing and collaborating with stakeholders across the Agency, tailoring approach to maximise understanding and achieve shared objectives.
Experience of working in a fast-paced environment and meeting tight deadlines: Proven ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outputs under pressure. Demonstrates resilience and adaptability by reassessing workloads promptly and maintaining performance standards in dynamic and challenging situations.
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Essential Criteria
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You must meet the essential criteria and evidence this within your application to be considered for the role.
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Entry Requirements
As part of the application process, you will be required to complete an online situational judgement test. This test will assess the following criteria:
Sound understanding of information management, data protection and privacy principles
Experience of using excellent verbal and written communication skills to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and/or external stakeholders
Experience of managing and prioritising competing demands in line with department and agency organisational requirements.
You will be expected to achieve a minimum of 80% in order to meet the eligibility for the role. Candidates who do not complete the test or achieve the pass rate will be rejected and the rest of the application will not be assessed.
Candidates will receive a link to a timed online test and instructions once they have submitted an application and the advert has closed. The test link will be sent to the email address registered on your account. Please note: You will be permitted to complete the test once; any duplicate attempts will not be assessed and your first attempt will be considered.
For Guidance please see the document attached at the bottom of this advert.
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Any applications from candidates not meeting this eligibility criteria will not progress.
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Salary
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Allowances are reviewed annually and may be increased, decreased or removed.
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All salary offers will be made in line with Remuneration Policy.
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Roles based in London will receive an additional London Weighting (Per Annum) of £4,218
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Benefits
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All NCA employees are members of the UK Civil Service and eligible for the Civil Service pension scheme, alongside your salary the NCA contributes £13,130. Further information on the benefits of the scheme is available on the Civil Service Pension Website.
New entrants to the NCA receive 26 days annual leave, rising to 31 on completion of 5 years continuous service, plus 8 bank holidays.
If qualifying criteria is met new joiners from UK Police Forces or the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC) will have service with those employers taken into account for continuous service purposes for annual leave entitlement only, this will be up to a maximum of 31 days leave (including 1 privilege day).
Other benefits include:
Flexible working, including flexi-time, compressed hours and job sharing (in line with business requirements)
Family friendly policies, notably above the statutory minimum
Learning and Development opportunities
Interest free loans and advances, including season tickets, childcare and rental deposits
Housing schemes - Key Worker status
Discounts and Savings with a wide variety of services including Cycle to Work, Smart Tech schemes, dental insurance, gym discounts and savings on everyday spending, available through the Reward Gateway | Edenred and Blue Light Card schemes.
Staff support groups/networks
Sports and social activities, including membership to the Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC)
Further information is available on the NCA Website.
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Selection Process Details
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This vacancy is using the Success Profiles framework and will assess using the following criteria: Behaviours, Experience, Technical Skills
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Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
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How we will assess you
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Your application will be assessed against the following:
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Experience - This will be assessed:
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CV
Please include your full career history, training, qualifications, key responsibilities, and achievements. Explain any employment gaps in the last two years. Ensure all accreditation dates are accurate.
Details of what is expected within your CV are as follows: Please demonstrate how you meet the criteria outlined in the Person Specification for this role. Your CV should be font size 11, 2 pages only, any additional pages will not be considered. Please ensure no personal data is included in the CV to ensure anonymity during the sift stage.
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A panel will assess how well your application demonstrates the requirements outlined above.
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You will receive an acknowledgement once your application is submitted.
We aim to have sift completed and scores released within 10 working days of the closing date of the advert. For high volume campaigns this timeframe may be extended.
Scores will be provided but further feedback will not be available at this stage.
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For guidance on the application process, visit:
NCA Applying and Onboarding
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Assessment 1
The format of this assessment will be Interview which will be tested on the criteria listed in the Success Profiles at Assessment section.
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Success Profiles at Assessment
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Behaviours
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Leadership
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Technical
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Sound understanding of information management, data protection and privacy principles.
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Experience
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Experience of using excellent verbal and written communication skills to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and/or external stakeholders
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Experience of managing and prioritising competing demands in line with department and agency Organisational requirements.
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Assessment Outcome
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Outcomes will be communicated via the NCA recruitment portal.
If successful but no role is immediately available, you may be placed on a reserve list for 12 months.
Reserve lists can be used to fill similar role types across the Agency where the assessment criteria is considered a match by the recruitment team and the business area.
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In the event of a tie at the assessment stage, available roles will be offered in merit order using the following order:
Lead criteria (behaviours/technical/experience)
If still tied, desirable criteria will be assessed (if advertised)
If still tied, application sift scores will be used
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Feedback is provided only to those who attend an assessment.
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You will be subject to vetting and pre-employment checks before appointment.
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Once the vacancy closes, the advert will no longer be accessible. Please save a copy for your records.
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We encourage all candidates to visit the NCA Careers Page for more information.
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Eligibility, Pre-Employment Check and Vetting
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Please see the NCA T&Cs and Privacy Policy (pdf) for details on how your data is handled.
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If you are an internal candidate who has passed interview but is undergoing an internal investigation or have a written warning in place preventing a post move you may not be able to be posted until this investigation is concluded or restriction lifted.
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Nationality Requirements
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This role is broadly open to the following groups:
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- UK nationals or dual nationals, where one component is British
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- Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
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- Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
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- Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
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- Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre- settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
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- Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
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- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
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Further information on nationality requirements
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You will be required to participate in digital right to work and address checks as part of the recruitment process.
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Security and Vetting
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People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.
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Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is SC Enhanced. All security clearances will be managed by the NCA.
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For more information on security vetting please visit: UK Security Vetting guidance for applicants and Demystifying Vetting and see our vetting charter at: The Vetting Charter.
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Vetting requirements - SC Enhanced
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Prior to commencing the role, you will need to successfully complete SC Enhanced clearance.
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The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
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Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.
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For further information on National Security Vetting checks please visit the following page Demystifying Vetting
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Individuals will be required to undertake and pass a substance misuse test as part of pre-employment checks.
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Occupational Health
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Successful candidates will be expected to undertake an occupational health assessment. Depending on the role an in-person medical may be required in either London or Warrington. Unfortunately, travel costs will not be reimbursed.
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Things you need to know
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Multi Location
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Where multiple locations are advertised, appointments will be made in merit order for each location.
Please indicate up to three location preferences clearly. Only your first three preferences will be considered. You may be allocated to any of the locations you select. If you decline an offer for a location you have selected as a preference, a further offer may not be made.
If you choose to reject an offer and no alternative preferred location can be offered, you will not be able to return to the process or be placed on a reserve list.
Only the advertised locations are available; any additional notes added to the application will not be taken into account.
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Near Miss
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If you meet the criteria for a lower grade, you may be offered that role if not appointable at the advertised grade.
Conversely, if found appointable at a higher grade but no posts are available, you may be offered a lower-grade role.
All offers are made based on merit.
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Hybrid Working
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The NCA supports hybrid working. The extent of remote working will depend on the role and can be discussed at the offer stage.
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Reasonable Adjustments
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We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and an inclusive, equal opportunities employer.
We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone can be their authentic self. If you’re neurodiverse, have a disability, or live with a long-term health condition, we encourage you to let us know about any reasonable adjustments you may need during the recruitment process.
If you experience accessibility issues with the advert or require reasonable adjustments, please contact our Recruitment Team at
[email protected] before the advert closing date.
Please ensure you complete the ‘Equal opportunities’ and 'Reasonable Adjustments' sections in the application form to inform us on what support you may need in the recruitment process.
For more on our Disability Confident commitment, visit Disability Confident Scheme | Civil Service Careers.
Visit NCA Benefits and Support for more details.
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Inclusion
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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 Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
In order to monitor the effectiveness of the National Crime Agency's Diversity & Inclusion strategy, we require certain personal details about you on submission of your application for statistical and monitoring purposes only. Please note that this will be treated in confidence and will not impact your application.
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This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
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Working for the Civil Service
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The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit on merit through fair and open competition, in line with the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
If you believe your application has not been treated fairly, email:
[email protected] (quoting the vacancy reference).
If unresolved, you may escalate your complaint to the Civil Service Commission.
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Working for the NCA
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The National Crime Agency is a 24/7 organisation, and working patterns must support business requirements. Some roles may require you to respond at short notice or outside of core hours.
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If preferable, alternative contract types may be available. Please review the green bar of this advert to view all available contract types for this role. Where Loan or Secondment options are available, these would be for existing Civil Servants (Loan) and applicants from accredited Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) or any other employer (Secondment). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
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If you have any specific queries about the role that are not covered by the advert, please contact:
Name : Central Recruitment Team
Email : [email protected]
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