Selection will be by a written sift, followed by an interview (face to face)
The Civil Service uses a Success Profiles to assess candidates, knowledge and skills.
You will be assessed against experience, behaviours, strengths and Government Communications Service (GCS) technical skills.
Well assess both what candidates are good at, as well as what they enjoy, to help us measure candidates behaviours, strengths and their potential. The assessment process comprises of a written application and for shortlisted candidates, a short scenario-based exercise and interview.
Written application
Youll need to complete a CV and Personal Statement when you apply. Your CV should set out your career history with key responsibilities and achievements. Your Personal Statement (max 500 words) should explain how your personal skills and qualities make you a suitable candidate for this role. Your CV and personal statement will both be assessed against the essential criteria set out on slide 6.
Interview
A blended interview lasting around 45 minutes to 1 hour will test a mix of behaviours, technical skills and strengths:
It may help to use the WHO or STAR model to explain:
What the task/ work was, How you approached the task/work/situation and what the Outcomes were, what did you achieve? Or What was the Situation? What were the Tasks? What Action did you take? What were the Results of your actions?
Written Application
The written sift will be conducted using evidence from your CV and Personal Statement and will be assessed against the Key Criteria within the advert.
Please note If there are a high number of applications received, an initial sift may be undertaken based on the first 3 essential criteria listed on slide 6. Candidates who pass the initial sift may progress to a full sift or may go straight to interview.
Interview
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview. This will be a face-to-face interview. The interview panel will be a minimum of two people. The interview will assess:
Well assess candidates against the following Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours www.gov.uk
at HEO level:
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Communicating and influencing
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Delivering at pace
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Seeing the big picture
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Working together
For this professional communications role, youll also be tested against the following Government Communications Service (GCS) technical skills at IO level
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Insight
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Ideas
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Implementation
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Impact
Youll also be assessed against three Success Profiles: Strengths - GOV.UK relevant to the role. These arent defined by grade
Interview Exercise
Shortlisted candidates will be expected to carry out a short scenario-based exercise and written task at the start of the interview. You do not need to prepare in advance for this. This exercise will be assessed against technical Ideas and Implementation.
Sift and Interview Dates:
Our anticipated timetable - which may be subject to change - is as follows:
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Shortlisting will take place commencing 15/07/2026
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Interviews will commence W/C 03/08/2026
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Interviews will be held in person. Further details will be provided if you are successful and shortlisted.
- To apply for this post please follow the instructions in this candidate pack or the job advert on Civil Service Jobs.
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Please submit your application no later than 23:55 15th July 2026
If youre an existing Civil Servant and want to know more about transferring to another Department, refer to your current departments guidance on transfers within the Civil Service.
Candidates should not resign from their current job until all appropriate checks have been successfully completed.
If you have questions about the role, DWP or the application process, please contact [email protected]
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.
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).
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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.
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.
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.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
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.
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 or answers from an online or published source that is not your own
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.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.
Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter
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.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
