This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
As part of the application process you will be asked to provide your CV, a Statement of Suitability (Max 750 Word Limit) and examples of work. CV is for information purposes only and will not be marked. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
The examples of work can be a PDF upload, maximum of 5mb to an online portfolio. Please send this to OptimusACrecruitment@homeoffice.gov.uk. This is to help us assess your technical skills and understand your design process; the format and number of examples will not impact the scoring.
Statement of Suitability and examples of work will be reviewed at the same time. Assessments will be based on evidence of your experience and skills, so please take this opportunity to explain your motivation for applying to this role and demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria listed on the Job Specification.
Please ensure that you don’t include any personal information that can identify you at sift stage, especially if you link your personal website.
Candidates shortlisted will be invited to an interview which will be Skills and Technical based questions. At the interview you will be asked to:
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Conduct a 10-minute presentation, the topic of which will be sent to you in advance
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Answer a series of questions that explore your technical skills and experience
We will be hosting multiple drop-in sessions to discuss the vacancies, what the job entails, how to apply and answer any questions you may have. The dates and times for these sessions are:
Thursday 25th May from 12pm to 1pm - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/639208418587
Wednesday 31st May from 1pm to 2pm – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/639217896937
Friday 2nd June from 11.30am to 12.30pm - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/639220033327
Sift and interview dates
The sift will commence from 6th June 2023.
Interviews are expected to take place from week commencing 26th June 2023.
You will be invited to attend a video interview utilising Microsoft Teams.
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to time constraints we may not be able to offer alternative interview date(s). It is therefore expected that candidates who are successful at sift stage will make themselves available during the above time frame given.
Further Information
Please read the essential skills for this position carefully. We will only consider those who meet the listed requirement.
If you have previously made an unsuccessful application for a role with the same essential skills and are not able to demonstrate how you have developed these skills since your last application please reconsider applying as your application is unlikely to be successful.
For meaningful checks to be carried out, individuals 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. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. A lack of UK residency in itself is not necessarily a bar to a security clearance and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.
Higher Security Clearance:
This post requires the successful candidate to hold security clearance at minimum SC level normally requiring a five year UK footprint. Job offers to this post are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please take note that the Home Office DDaT does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License and are unable to sponsor any individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visa.
This post is eligible for a DDaT Recruitment Retention Allowance. Successful candidate with exceptional skills and experience may apply for a Recruitment and Retention Allowance up to a maximum of £5,000. This allowance is subject to an initial review within six months of taking up the post and thereafter an annual review in line with the departmental priorities and could be reduced or withdrawn at any time.
This role can be based in any of the advertised location/regions, with an occasional travel required. You will be located in a regional office and under Home Office hybrid working practices you will be required to attend a Home Office workplace on an average of 40% of your working hours. Successful candidates will be able to obtain further information from their line manager.
A reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.
We often have similar roles available at different grades. If a candidate is suitable for a similar role or a lower grade than they have applied for, we may offer the candidate that role without the need to go through a further selection process providing the role has the same behaviours and essential skills.
Every day, Home Office civil servants do brilliant work to develop and deliver policies and services that affect the lives of people across the country and beyond. To do this effectively and fairly, the Home Office is committed to representing modern Britain in all its diversity, and creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people are able to bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best.
We are flexible, skilled, professional and diverse. We work to recruit and retain disabled staff and area Disability Confident Leader. We are proud to be one of the most ethnically diverse departments in the civil service. We are Stonewall top 100 Workplace Equality Employer and a Social Mobility Foundation top 75 employer.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
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 applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
For further information please see the attached notes for candidates which must be read before making an application.
Existing Civil Servants should note that some of the Home Office terms and conditions of employment have changed. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the Terms and Conditions they will adopt should they be successful in application and should refer to the notes for candidates for further details.
Transfer Terms: Voluntary.
If you are invited to an interview you will be required to bring a range of documentation for the purposes of establishing identity and to aid any pre-employment checks.
Please see the attached list of Home Office acceptable ID documents.
Any move to the Home Office 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 www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Reasonable Adjustments
If a person with disabilities is at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
- Complete the “Assistance Required” 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 you're 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.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.