Case Officer Graduate Scheme

Job summary

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is facing far-reaching changes, as we assume new responsibilities and gain significant powers that ensures we can fulfil our role in supporting the UK’s economy as it continues to grow. The importance of our role means we are always looking for different ways to attract talented individuals. Our graduate scheme, now in its sixth year, offers unrivalled career potential for ambitious graduates.

About the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)

We drive market outcomes that benefits people, businesses, and the UK economy by promoting competitive markets and tackling unfair behaviour. Our work benefits millions of individual people, is high profile, continually evolving and intellectually stimulating with a regular presence in national media and of interest around the world.

You can read more about the CMA and the work that we do in our Candidate Information Pack

Job description

The Case Officer Graduate Scheme is an exciting springboard opportunity for aspiring graduates to gain valuable experience working alongside other experts across our teams. As a Case Officer on the Graduate Scheme, you will do three 12-month placements in different parts of the CMA – from competition enforcement and consumer protection, to digital markets, policy and strategy. You will contribute to the successful delivery of impactful work, assisting and working on major investigations and studies.

You will work as part of multi-disciplinary teams with our legal, economic, financial and other experts, and contribute to the delivery of high-quality outputs. Upon joining the CMA, you can expect to be involved with a variety of tasks such as project management, drafting, research, analysis, data and records management, as well as stakeholder management and general day-to-day support for a project.

At the same time, you will advance your skills and knowledge through a structured development programme. Spread over the three years of the scheme, this programme is designed to:

• Expand your knowledge of the CMA – both who does what and how they do it; and
• Build the skills, experience and confidence to progress into more senior roles

After successfully completing the Graduate Scheme, we expect successful candidates to have the skills, knowledge, and experience to consider applying for promotion to Grade 7 roles at the CMA, with a starting salary of £61,300.

Person specification

We are seeking to appoint a cohort of candidates that will thrive at the CMA and provide us with a range of diverse skills and experiences to help us to deliver our mission to make markets work well for UK consumers.

It is essential that you can provide evidence and examples for each of the following selection criteria in your application. For tips on how to make the most your application, please have a look at our guidance document.

Essential Criteria

• Achieved, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:2 at degree level or similar equivalent. [Lead selection criteria]
• Ability to undertake complex analytical work, including gathering and synthesising a broad range of evidence, and applying critical thinking to draw out key conclusions and recommendations. [Lead selection criteria]
• Ability to produce clear, concise, and well‑structured written documents for a range of audiences, including the ability to interpret complex information and present it in accessible, accurate, and coherent language. [Lead selection criteria]
• Strong oral communication skills, including the ability to adapt communication style and content to suit different audiences, including colleagues, senior stakeholders, and external partners.
• Demonstrable administrative and organisational skills that lead to delivering outcomes on time and to the required standard – including strong attention to detail
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team, including through developing hypothesis-led problem solving, and taking a collegiate and collaborative approach.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £39,500, Competition & Markets Authority contributes £11,443 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

You’ll also get:

• 25 days leave (increasing to 30 days over five years), plus 8 public holidays and an additional day off for the King’s birthday. In addition, you’ll be able to access a wide range of other types of leave as and when you need it, including generous maternity, paternity, shared parental leave and adoption options, as well as paid special leave for volunteering.

• Access to our benefits platform which includes retail discounts, cycle to work scheme and payroll giving. Employees can also sign up for season ticket loans.

• Access to the Civil Service Sports & Leisure, giving discounted gym membership, high street discounts, free access to UK wide attractions and a free Tastecard.

You can read more about our benefits in our Candidate Information Pack

Our Values

The CMA delivers impactful outcomes for people, business and the UK economy.​ We are Ambitious and Evidence-based, and always strive for Excellence.​ We treat everyone with Respect and are Collaborative and Inclusive.​

Everything we do is underpinned by the Civil Service values: Honesty, Integrity, Impartiality and Objectivity.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Ability and Experience.

At the CMA we apply a blended selection technique, allowing us to find out more about you and we use the Success Profiles framework assessing the Ability, Behaviours and Experience outlined in the advert and attached role profile.

Application stage

• As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete 4 online tests (Verbal Reasoning, Situational Judgement, Civil Service Work Strengths and Civil Service Styles), a CV, personal statement and online application form. Further details about application requirements are listed on the application form.
• We recommend you read Civil Service online tests - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)prior to starting the tests. PLEASE NOTE THAT TESTS ARE NOT TIMED.
• After successfully completing the tests, you will be asked to submit an online application which comprises:

• • your CV, which should list your qualifications and employment history; and
  • a personal statement, setting out how your knowledge, skills, experience and personal qualities meet the Essential Criteria outlined in the Person Specification (above and in the Candidate Information Pack)

• Please note that it is essential that your personal statement is aligned to provide evidence that you have the knowledge and experience for each of the essential criteria (as included on the role profile attached and listed above under 'Person Specification') in your application. Your personal statement should be no more than 1250 words.
• All online tests and full applications must be completed by 23:55 on Tuesday 05 May 2026. Please ensure you allow yourself enough time to complete the tests and submit your application. We cannot accept applications submitted after the closing date and time.
• Candidates are required to positively answer the three eligibility questions asked as part of the application form, in order to be progressed.

Sift stage

• Due to the anticipated high level of interest in the graduate scheme positions and subject to the number of candidates that pass all four tests, this stage may initially involve a moderation process, during which the online test scores will be reviewed further and a higher pass mark or scoring bar will be set. Candidates that achieve the required scoring bar mark across all four tests will progress to the main application sift.
• During the main application sift, an initial sift based on the three criteria points listed as 'Lead Criteria' will be conducted first. If your application progresses to a full application sift, all elements of the essential criteria listed under Person Specification (above and in the Candidate Information Pack) will then be considered. If you do not meet the lead selection criteria in your application, the panel will not be required to score your application against the remaining essential criteria of the role.
• If your application progresses to the full application sift, it will be assessed against all the essential criteria outlined in the person specification and will progress depending on how well you evidence and demonstrate your suitability for the role.
• We may raise the score required at sift stage to progress to interview if we receive a high number of applications and take through the highest performing candidates to the assessment centre stage.
• Successful candidates at main application sift will be invited to the assessment centre detailed below.

Assessment centre stage

• Assessment centres will be held in-person on 23 June in Manchester and 25 June in London.
• As part of the assessment centre, you will take part in a number of exercises which may include a written task, a presentation and/or a group exercise. The arrangements for the assessment centre will be confirmed in the written invitation, and we will assess the Behaviours and Experience outlined in the advert and attached role profile.
• It will not be possible to offer any alternative dates for the assessment centre, so you are asked to note the timetable and to exercise flexibility through the recruitment and selection process. If you are unable to meet these time frames, you must let us know in your application.

Final interview stage

• Candidates who are successful at the assessment centre stage will be invited to a final panel interview (30-45 minutes) where you will be asked questions based on the Behaviours and Experience skills (essential criteria) outlined in the role profile. Further details will be confirmed in the interview invite.
• A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Timeline

• The advert closing date is Tuesday 05 May April 2026 (23:55). We are not able to accept late applications.
• The sift is scheduled to take place between 06 May and 05 June 2026.
• Assessment centres will be held in-person on 23 June in Manchester and 25 June 2026 in London.
• Final panel interviews will be held w/c 12th July 2026 and will be held virtually via MS Teams

Reasonable adjustments

We want to make sure no one is at a disadvantage during our recruitment process because of a disability, condition or impairment. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process.

For example, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you are deaf, a Language Service Professional. You might also require additional time to complete a timed assessment or a sign language interpreter to support with the relaying of information.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.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) (opens in a new window)
• 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 (opens in a new window)

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).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 theCivil 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

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) 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 : Serena Connor
• Email : recruitment@cma.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@cma.gov.uk

Further information

If your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact Recruitment@cma.gov.uk in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.

Attachments

Role Profile Graduate Scheme 2026 Opens in new window (pdf, 214kB)