Details
Reference number
415405
Salary
£34,000 - £35,700 GBP
Job grade
Executive Officer
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
HO - Digital Data and Technology
Type of role
Digital
Information Technology
Project Delivery
Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time
Number of jobs available
12
Contents
- Location
- About the job
- Benefits
- Things you need to know
- Apply and further information
Location
Croydon
About the job
Job summary
The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.
Home Office Digital, Data and Technology designs, builds and develops services for the rest of the department and for government. Every year our systems support up to 3 million visa applications, checks on 100 million border crossings, up to 8 million passport applications and deliver 140 million police checks on people, vehicles and property.
If you enjoy learning, have a passion for technology, thrive at problem solving, excel at analysing data, or simply enjoy working with a broad range of stakeholders then our Business Administration Level 3 Apprenticeship could be just for you!
Job description
As a Business Administration apprentice, you will have an important role in helping the Home Office to run as effectively and efficiently as possible. You will undertake your role supporting one of the teams within Data, Digital and Technology. You can expect to be involved in an array of administrative tasks as you learn on the job.
You will be a high-performing and enthusiastic individual with a flexible and collaborative approach to work. You will be someone who can work well as part of a busy team but are equally comfortable working independently or with limited supervision. In this role, you will be making a positive contribution to the overall success of your business area.
Alongside carrying out your day-to-day tasks, you will need to be dedicated to working towards completing your business administration apprenticeship. On completion, you may choose to progress to a higher or degree level Apprenticeship or continue to develop your skills in the workplace. Your apprenticeship will provide you with an excellent grounding to prepare you for the rest of your Civil Service career – we consider our apprentices to be our leaders of the future.
Responsibilities
As a Business Administration apprentice, you will:
- Undertake business management finance tasks including payments of invoices, raising Purchase Orders, monitoring budgets and workforce planning.
- Support with team with internal and external written communications providing wider business administration support to the team.
- Schedule meetings and room bookings for the team, organising meeting agendas and taking minutes. Booking travel and accommodation.
- Develop a good understanding of your team’s work to enable you to provide effective support; use project management skills to track the team’s work, provide progress updates and log risks and issues. Undertake research on the team’s behalf, gathering and sharing information as required .
- Manage a team inbox, assessing incoming messages to ensure high priority matters are dealt with on receipt or escalated appropriately. Take responsibility for drafting and responding to general enquiries and storing / archiving messages to ensure they are readily retrievable.
- Maintaining strong record management. Handling, collating, and recording management information, other data and information using Excel and similar IT tools.
- Supporting recruitment, onboarding, and induction of new starters to the team.
- Building and maintaining effective working relationships with multiple stakeholders.
Working Pattern
This role is available on a full-time basis. This role is also suitable for part-time working hours, with a minimum requirement to work 30 hours per week due to business requirements.
Training
We offer a tailored training package throughout the scheme, and you will be supported in your personal development.
Apprenticeship
This position includes completing a Level 3 apprenticeship, which takes around 18 months. To apply, you must:
- Be 16 or older (no upper age limit).
- Have lived in the UK for at least 3 years before starting.
- Not be in another apprenticeship or paid education.
- Work at least 30 hours per week.
- Not already hold a similar qualification at Level 3 or higher.
For more details, see candidate pack attached.
Travel
Some travel to other Home Office sites may be required.
Person specification
Essential criteria
You’ll have a passion for Business Administration with the following skills or experience in:
- Display proactivity and using your initiative to offer suggestions and solutions to issues and problems.
- Undertake self-development with drive and motivation and a willingness to learn and improve.
- Work collaboratively as part of a team and with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Display the ability to organise self and prioritise tasks, whilst maintaining good attention to detail.
- Adapt effectively to changing priorities and persevering in challenging situations.
- Be an effective written and verbal communicator with an ability to tailor messaging to changing audiences.
- Work independently, taking ownership of work and seeking guidance when required.
- Good IT skills. Must be proficient in MS Office including Word, Excel and Outlook.
Desirable criteria
- An interest in Digital Data & Technology and working in a technical environment.
- GCSE Maths and English grade C or above (Level 4 in the new grading system) - If you do not have/or are unable to provide evidence of this (e.g. Certificate), then you will be required to complete Level 2 functional skills during the apprenticeship programme with support.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
Benefits
In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
- In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.
- 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service to 30 days.
- Eight days of public holidays, plus one additional privilege day.
- Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office.
- See more of our benefits on our careers website.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
We will endeavour to conduct the selection process in line with the dates indicated below, but cannot guarantee that these will not, where necessary, be revised.
As part of the application process, you will first be asked to confirm your eligibility by providing some basic personal information.
After submission of this first stage, you will be invited to complete the following Civil ServiceNumerical, Verbal and Judgement tests.
- Online Test – by 22nd July 2025
If you successfully pass the Civil Service Numerical, Verbal and Judgement tests, you will be invited to complete the full application form. Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended). If you fail to complete the online tests or full application before the deadline, your application will be withdrawn.
Guidance for the Civil Service tests will be available when you are invited to take the tests. The online tests are accessed via the Civil Service Jobs website.
You cannot complete the tests on a mobile phone or tablet.
Following successful completion of your tests, you will then be asked to complete the full application form.
2. Application – by 22nd July 2025
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:
- CV
- Personal Statement (maximum 500 words).
Your CV should consist of your career history, qualifications and skills/experience, including any key achievements in each role. Your CV will be scored against the experience required for the role as noted within the essential criteria.
The Personal Statement should be aligned to and demonstrate how you meet the skills and experience set out in the essential criteria, detailed in the job description.
For guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV, Personal Statement and Behaviours), you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.
3. Sift – from 25th July
The sift will be held on the CV and Personal Statement.
Should a high volume of applications be received, an initial sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift will then be progressed to a full sift that will consist of the Personal Statement and CV.
4. Interview – week commencing 1st September
If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview that will be Behaviours (as listed in the job advert) and Strength based questions.
The interview will take place in person in Croydon. Travel costs will not be reimbursed.
For guidance and information on what to expect and how to prepare for an interview, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers.
Problems during the application process
If you experience problems accessing this advert, or you think you’ve made a mistake on an initial application, please contact hocandidates.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk, including the vacancy reference, at least two working days before the vacancy closes. Further information can be found on our website.
Do not create or attempt to submit another application, online test or use a different Civil Service Jobs account to proceed as this would be in violation of the candidate declaration.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made. There is no guarantee that being held on a reserve list will lead to a job offer. Further information can be found on our website.
Candidates judged to be a near miss at interview may be offered a post at the grade below the one advertised without the need to go through a further selection process, providing the role has the same Success Profiles elements and essential skills. There is no guarantee that further such vacancies will arise.
Standards
All Civil Servants are expected to comply with the Civil Service Code, and its core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.
Additional Security Checks
As well as successfully obtaining UK Security Vetting clearance, candidates will be subject to a range of additional checks. The range of checks carried out will depend on whether you are a current Home Office employee, existing civil servant or an external new entrant as well as the role requirements. Further details are included in the Notes to Candidates.
Non-Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV)
You should currently hold, or be willing to obtain, Non-Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV) Level-3 vetting (including financial checks). This is essential for the role. For further information visit About the Police National Vetting Service , Warwickshire Police.
Formal offers of employment will not be made until successful candidates have obtained both NSV clearance and NPPV3 clearance. Failure to obtain either of these clearances will result in the candidate being deemed unsuitable for the role.
For existing Civil Servants: Please note that failure to obtain NPPV3 Clearance may trigger a formal review of your National Security Vetting Clearance (NSV). Depending on the nature of the information identified, this could result in your NSV being revoked.
Further information
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 Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading
If you are invited to an interview, you will be required to bring documentation for the purposes of establishing your identity.
You will need to meet the nationality requirements for this role and obtain the necessary security clearance to take it up.
For meaningful security checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. Learn more on our website. Security Checks - Home Office Careers
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.
Visa sponsorship
We do not sponsor individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas.
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:
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 .
See our vetting charter . People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- 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)
- 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)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code 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 . 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. 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.
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 and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. 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 : Home Office Resourcing Centre
- Email : HORCCampaignTeamDDAT@homeoffice.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment
principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance
HORecruitment.GRS@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission
