Application Process
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV, 1250-word personal statement.
Stage 1 - Personal Statement
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.
Please complete the personal statement and write up to no more than 1250 words, detailing the relevant skills and experience you can bring to the role. This will be assessed against the Essential Criteria within the advert.
You may choose to address each criteria separately, however, one narrative example may cover and evidence several essential criteria. Please ensure you evidence the key personal requirements and what have you done that relates to the requirements. You don’t have to explain the whole process, just what you have done and the skills and experience you have used. Share with us what makes you suited to this role and why, what you can do and the skills you have that are transferable to the key requirements, and the life experience or passion you have that are linked to this role.
Should a high volume of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Lead essential criteria:
You have strong leadership skills, with experience of leading groups of people in ever changing circumstances to deliver excellent customer service, at pace.
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift and/or progressed straight to interview.
Important Information
You will be asked to complete your employment history, any information that you would customarily share on a CV should therefore be entered onto the application form. The CV is not scored it is used to check relevant work history.
Personal details that could be used to identify you including your name, contact details and address must be removed for your application to be considered.
If your employment history/personal statement contains any personal details your application will be withdrawn.
STAGE 2 – MS TEAMS LIVE INTERVIEW Blended Interview:
Preparing for the interview:
You will need to provide photo ID prior to the interview.
At interview you will be assessed against any of these four Civil Service Behaviours -Level 3
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Leadership
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Managing a Quality Service
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Changing & Improving
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Developing Self and Others
If you are invited to interview you will receive an electronic notification to your Civil Service Jobs site.
Once you receive the invite to interview you will need to access the system and book yourself an interview slot 7 days in advance.
The interviews will be conducted by MS Teams, and you will need to use your personal device to access the platform. We will provide instructions at the time as to how you do this.
PLEASE NOTE: Full details of the behavioural questions will be given to shortlisted candidates 7 days in advance of the Interview.
The interview will follow a blended approach and will last approximately 45 minutes.
During the interview, candidates will be assessed against behaviours and strengths.
To do this, candidates will be asked a mixture of Behaviour and Strength questions.
The Strength and Behaviour based questioning explores what the candidate can and has done, but also their potential.
A blended interview aims to be more of a conversation at interview, offering a more inclusive approach.
Behavioural questions will explore what you have done in previous jobs or experiences as well as what you have achieved and/or learned.
After the interview:
Once all the interviews have been conducted, candidates will be notified of the outcome by email. If you are successful at the interview stage, we will be in touch to offer you a role. Offers will be made in strict merit order based on location preferences and roles available.
Sift and Interview dates are to be confirmed.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Further Information
Find out more about Working for DWP
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
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Reserve List – You may be placed on a reserve list if your application is successful but we cannot immediately offer you a post, please note:
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If you accept an offer of a post, you will be expected to withdraw from any other live campaigns you have applied for, with DWP, at this grade.
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If you are 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 post within a reasonable timeframe you will be withdrawn from the campaign and removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances*.
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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.
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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service or Disclosure Scotland 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 Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk
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.
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.
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.
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. working pattern, mobility, pay, allowances. 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.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
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 candidate’s 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.
Reasonable Adjustment
At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.
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 Government Recruitment Service via DWPrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk 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 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 will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.