Digital Archive Assistant

FCDO Services

On-Site

Expires: Expiring in less than 3 weeks

Administration

Full time

£29,000 per year

Job summary

FCDO SERVICES
FIXED TERM (12 Months) Digital Archive Assistant £29,000 plus a location allowance of £1,750 and excellent benefits
Based in Hanslope Park, Milton Keynes
Free shuttle bus available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park

At FCDO Services we protect the UK’s interests at home and overseas. We design and construct secure government buildings and courier diplomatic packages worldwide, safeguard government tech and a whole lot more. Our work is as varied and vital as it gets, but we never lose sight of our people. Their skills, aspirations and growth mean as much as the global mission we’re on. In our world, it all matters.

Job description

The Digital Sensitivity Review service we’ve developed enables the UK’s Government departments to meet the requirements of Public Records legislation by selecting, reviewing and transferring records consistently and securely for permanent preservation at The National Archives. The growth in digital records means the team are embracing the use of AI and other advanced technologies to tackle the complex challenges we face. The work is vital and protects the UK’s relations with other countries, as well as our defence interests, the intelligence services and the personal data of individuals, all within a legal framework.

Preserving important records
Protecting secure data
Embracing new technologies
It all matters

Help to manage and archive information of significant national importance

When you join our close-knit operations team you’ll be involved in supporting the ongoing review of digital and paper records, work that will include everything from microfiche scanning to preparing files for transfer to The National Archives. Following instructions from sensitivity reviewers and short notice Historical Freedom of Information requests, you’ll also be responsible for the consistent and accurate redaction of both paper and digital material.

Committed to meeting deadlines and working cohesively with your colleagues, your additional tasks will include providing general administrative support to the sensitivity review service desk and assisting with the delivery of reports and key data.

Put your eye for detail to vital use

To be a success in this important role you’ll be highly methodical with a great eye for detail, especially when it comes to following set instructions from Sensitivity Reviewers. Capable of managing a complex and fast-moving workload, sometimes to tight deadlines, you’ll be a highly collaborative and flexible team worker, and although a digital background isn’t essential, it would be great if you had some experience in this area, ideally in records and information management.

It’s important that you have well developed knowledge of Microsoft’s Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint, and also hold basic English and Maths qualifications – these should be equivalent to GCSE Grade C or 4. In addition, a records and information management qualification would be desirable, as would experience of working in a service delivery role.

Discover the support you need to grow your career further

But we’re always looking to improve – just like you. That’s why when you join us, expect to receive a competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement and a Civil Service Pension. Along with this, you’ll also have access to training and other development opportunities to help grow your career with us. Our offices have an on-site gym, nursery, café, and restaurant, and we offer interest-free loans on season tickets and bikes to help you get there. It's a great set of benefits made to support all you do, and all you need.

Want to see your future team’s work in action? Step into our Virtual Embassy and select a guide to take you round to see how we deliver for government customers and how you could help. Explore the embassy now at virtual-embassy.fcdoservicescareers.co.uk

Every single colleague must be security cleared before joining us. If you’re successful in your application, we’ll ask you to undergo our vetting process to achieve Developed Vetting (DV) clearance. You can find out more about vetting at fcdoservicescareers.co.uk/how-to-apply/

To find out more about our benefits and our organisation, please visit fcdoservicescareers.co.uk

Closing date: 19th March 2026

It takes a diverse team to protect a diverse world

The vital work we do takes an incredible community of colleagues, with different skills, backgrounds, cultures and identities. We support every individual, so that you always know you’re welcome and valued. It’s what makes us a Disability Confident employer. And why we’re recognised as a ‘Carer Confident’ workplace. And it’s how you know you’re joining an inspiring, inclusive organisation.

Person specification

• Highly organised, with excellent time management, attention to detail

• Proactive and able to act on own initiative to ensure tasks completed accurately and on time

• Adaptable to changing primary task on a weekly basis.

• Strong ability of working in a team and supporting a wide variety of roles.

• Experience and/or training in Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel and Outlook)

• Strong numerical/written/communication skills with ability to use English and maths confidently in day-to-day tasks

Behaviours

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

Managing a Quality Service
Working Together
Changing and Improving

Technical skills

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

Proactive and able to act on own initiative to ensure tasks completed accurately and on time
Strong ability of working in a team and supporting a wide variety of roles.
Highly organised, with excellent time management, attention to detail
Experience and/or training in Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel and Outlook

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

Proactive and able to act on own initiative to ensure tasks completed accurately and on time
Strong ability of working in a team and supporting a wide variety of roles.
Highly organised, with excellent time management, attention to detail

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £29,000, FCDO Services contributes £8,401 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Learning and development tailored to your role
An environment with flexible working options
A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
A Civil Service pension

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, Experience and Technical skills.

To apply for this role, you will be asked to provide your CV, a personal statement, and provide answers to some job specific/technical skills.

Your CV and personal statement will not form part of the assessment they will provide an insight into your work history and experience.

Your CV should include:

no personal identifying details

career history with key responsibilities

achievements

qualifications

Your personal statement should outline your interest in the role.

Candidates will only be sifted on answers provided to the technical/ job specific questions which are outlined in the application form.

Those that are successful will be invited to a MS Teams or Face to face interview.

At the interview you will be asked a blend of questions on technical/job specific skills and behaviours.

Candidates who are judged to be close to meeting the criteria may be considered for other positions in FCDO Services which may be at a lower grade, but have a potential skills match.

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

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (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.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

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

Salary range

£29,000 per year