Government Policy Fast Stream 2025
Apply before Midday on Thursday 7th November 2024
Details
Reference number
374920
Salary
£31,186
A
Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
Job grade
Higher Executive Officer
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
FSET - Centrally Managed Scheme
Type of role
Fast Stream
Working pattern
Full-time
Number of jobs available
200
Contents
Location
National
About the job
Job summary
On the Government Policy Fast Stream, you will work at the heart of the Civil Service. You’ll design, develop and propose appropriate courses of action to help meet key government priorities, ministerial objectives, and positively impact citizen’s lives.
Job description
Policy professionals play a pivotal role in helping ministers to navigate often complex policy issues and make the commitments of the government a reality.
You will work with Parliament, ministers, legislation and a broad stakeholder network to propose and design courses of action across a variety of policy areas that will improve existing or develop new public services.
You will develop agility of thought, learn how to approach matters strategically, tactically and creatively to develop ideas that will achieve objectives.
You will have opportunities to learn the system of government, support ministers with objective and impartial advice, navigate the complexities of Parliament and may work with other governments both in the UK and overseas.
You will understand how to take a broad view to ensure you’ve weighed up the implications of your proposals and any potential impacts upon implementation. You will also work closely with Operational Delivery colleagues to monitor and adapt policies over time.
You will learn how to develop strong working relationships with others, as building productive networks with a wide range of stakeholders is key to developing effective policy proposals. You will also develop the skills to feel comfortable working in a fast paced and dynamic environment – all essential skills for a policy professional.
There will be lots to learn on the job, but you will be working within a supportive environment to help you develop both the softer and more technical skills required of policy professionals. You will also have access to a carefully structured curriculum as well as the opportunity to build and learn from a constructive network of current and future leaders.
Work at the heart of government is always changing, but your three years on the Fast Stream scheme will be shaped to ensure you can hone your skills and gain a breadth of experience that will support you on your journey to becoming a future leader.
You will work with Parliament, ministers, legislation and a broad stakeholder network to propose and design courses of action across a variety of policy areas that will improve existing or develop new public services.
You will develop agility of thought, learn how to approach matters strategically, tactically and creatively to develop ideas that will achieve objectives.
You will have opportunities to learn the system of government, support ministers with objective and impartial advice, navigate the complexities of Parliament and may work with other governments both in the UK and overseas.
You will understand how to take a broad view to ensure you’ve weighed up the implications of your proposals and any potential impacts upon implementation. You will also work closely with Operational Delivery colleagues to monitor and adapt policies over time.
You will learn how to develop strong working relationships with others, as building productive networks with a wide range of stakeholders is key to developing effective policy proposals. You will also develop the skills to feel comfortable working in a fast paced and dynamic environment – all essential skills for a policy professional.
There will be lots to learn on the job, but you will be working within a supportive environment to help you develop both the softer and more technical skills required of policy professionals. You will also have access to a carefully structured curriculum as well as the opportunity to build and learn from a constructive network of current and future leaders.
Work at the heart of government is always changing, but your three years on the Fast Stream scheme will be shaped to ensure you can hone your skills and gain a breadth of experience that will support you on your journey to becoming a future leader.
Person specification
- eligible to work in the UK
- you need, or expect to receive, a 2:2 or higher in any degree subject, including degree apprenticeships
- existing civil servants can apply without a degree
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Developing Self and Others
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £31,186, contributes
£9,034 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
The programme provides a solid foundation for promotion and long-term career progression within the profession and offers many advantages, which include:
responsibility and autonomy in a variety of roles at the heart of the Civil Service
excellent training and development opportunities including a professional qualification
close contact with senior civil servants and the opportunity to join a valuable network of future leaders
possible opportunity for international work
enhanced support as you off-board from the scheme into your permanent policy role
potential earning opportunities between £45k and £62k upon successful completion of the scheme
Further employment benefits include a generous annual leave offer starting at 25 days plus national holidays, access to the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, flexible working opportunities, season ticket loans, sports and social activities, childcare assistance and more.
responsibility and autonomy in a variety of roles at the heart of the Civil Service
excellent training and development opportunities including a professional qualification
close contact with senior civil servants and the opportunity to join a valuable network of future leaders
possible opportunity for international work
enhanced support as you off-board from the scheme into your permanent policy role
potential earning opportunities between £45k and £62k upon successful completion of the scheme
Further employment benefits include a generous annual leave offer starting at 25 days plus national holidays, access to the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, flexible working opportunities, season ticket loans, sports and social activities, childcare assistance and more.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours.
There are several phases in the Fast Stream application process. Some of these assessments are multimedia in that they present information in video, audio, graphical or visual formats, as well as text. We hope you find it an engaging process and one that gives you a real insight into the role of a fast streamer.
At the initial application stage you will be asked to complete some background information which will include some diversity questions - which are for monitoring purposes only and will have no bearing on selection outcomes - along with the opportunity to identify your preferences in terms of the different Fast Stream schemes. You can choose up to four.
When you apply please register with a personal email address, and not a work or university email address.
Assessment Phases
There are 3 online tests:
Using Data - In this test you will be asked to weigh up options and to make decisions on different scenarios, perform calculations, solve problems and evaluate and interpret numerical information.
Work-based scenarios - This test measures interpersonal skills, utilising video based scenarios and you are required to assess the effectiveness of various responses.
Case Study assessment - In this test you are required to take Work based scenarios on an imaginary role, learning and responding to a series of challenges and situations and adapting to the changes you are presented with.
Additional information - depending on the schemes you have chosen, there may be additional information to be completed, or an intermediate sift process.
The FSAC reflects some of the key elements of a Fast Stream role and will consist of a Written Advice Exercise, Stakeholder Communication Exercise and Personal Development Conversation. Information will be presented via an app that you will be able to access remotely on a laptop.
Final Selection Board - most schemes will then require a Final Selection Board. We'll ask you to attend this final assessment if you reach the required standard at FSAC.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
At the initial application stage you will be asked to complete some background information which will include some diversity questions - which are for monitoring purposes only and will have no bearing on selection outcomes - along with the opportunity to identify your preferences in terms of the different Fast Stream schemes. You can choose up to four.
When you apply please register with a personal email address, and not a work or university email address.
Assessment Phases
There are 3 online tests:
Using Data - In this test you will be asked to weigh up options and to make decisions on different scenarios, perform calculations, solve problems and evaluate and interpret numerical information.
Work-based scenarios - This test measures interpersonal skills, utilising video based scenarios and you are required to assess the effectiveness of various responses.
Case Study assessment - In this test you are required to take Work based scenarios on an imaginary role, learning and responding to a series of challenges and situations and adapting to the changes you are presented with.
Additional information - depending on the schemes you have chosen, there may be additional information to be completed, or an intermediate sift process.
The FSAC reflects some of the key elements of a Fast Stream role and will consist of a Written Advice Exercise, Stakeholder Communication Exercise and Personal Development Conversation. Information will be presented via an app that you will be able to access remotely on a laptop.
Final Selection Board - most schemes will then require a Final Selection Board. We'll ask you to attend this final assessment if you reach the required standard at FSAC.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Diversity and Inclusion
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 (opens in a new window)
and the
Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available.
You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : faststream.applicationsupport@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
- Email : faststream.applicationsupport@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : faststream.applicationsupport@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.
If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service at: cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.
If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: info@csc.gov.uk.
For further information on the Recruitment Principles, and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.
If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service at: cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.
If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: info@csc.gov.uk.
For further information on the Recruitment Principles, and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.
