Policy Lab Studio Officer / NSPARC Project and Operations Officer (2 roles)

Job summary

IMPORTANT - This vacancy is using the Civil Service Numerical and Verbal tests. The deadline for completing the tests is the same as the vacancy closing date. Please ensure you complete the tests with sufficient time to complete the written application.

The UK’s Policy Lab works across the whole of government to improve policymaking through design, innovation and people-centred approaches. We work in multidisciplinary and agile ways, using methods such as co-design and collective intelligence, to help policy teams improve the lives of people in the UK. This work brings the perspective of citizens directly into policies and services developed by government.

We are looking for two exceptional Higher Executive Officer (HEO) candidates with strong operational, financial and project coordination skills to join the Policy Lab team. These roles are integral to Policy Lab’s operations and will sit within Policy Lab’s Studio team and our NSPARC (National Security Policy and Research Co-Lab).

Both roles require a similar core set of experience and strengths, particularly in operational delivery, financial administration, project coordination, secretariat support and work with varied stakeholders. The successful candidates may be appointed to either role depending on campaign outcomes, business need and candidate preference.

The successful candidate for the NSPARCProject and Operations Officer role will provide operational, financial and research support across NSPARC’s portfolio of work. This role is critical to supporting project teams to unlock better, faster and more sustainable outcomes for UK national security.

The successful candidate for the Studio Officer role will undertake some of Policy Lab’s core operations including finance, secretariat support and cross-team co-ordination. The postholder will be required to use sound judgement, strong organisational skills and a collaborative approach to maintain effective processes and support colleagues of all levels.

Policy Lab has over a decade of experience working openly and collaboratively to address some of the UK’s most complex policy challenges. Our team brings together expertise in policy, lived experience research, design, systems thinking, futures, and technology. We work on a cost-recovery basis with a wide range of commissioners across government.

NSPARC (N*),the National Security Policy and Research Co‑Lab, is a multidisciplinary policy innovation team within government. It has a mission to tackle real‑world challenges using innovative and creative approaches, combining data, technology, design, and policy insight across the national security community.

Job description

We are recruiting for 2 HEO roles which will provide high-quality operational, financial and administrative support in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment. Please make your role preference clear at the top of your personal statement.

Role 1: NSPARC Project and Operations Officer

Project Delivery & Cross-Government Engagement

• Work as part of a multidisciplinary, design and research-led project team, providing essential support across project operations and delivery and cross-government engagement.
• Work confidently in a fast-paced, agile environment, managing competing priorities and adapting to changing requirements.
• Support research, design and delivery activity, including logistics for user research, workshops, sprints and events (online and in person), ensuring smooth research and design delivery.
• Work closely with policy, design and research colleagues, as well as external partners and commissioners, to ensure projects are well run, inclusive and effective.
• Support engagement and business development activity, including coordinating meetings with commissioners, contributing to proposals, and maintaining clear, professional communications.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including internal teams, senior leaders, external partners and suppliers.

Finance & Operations

• Lead day-to-day finance and commercial processes within projects, including contract administration, supplier payments and commissioner invoicing.
• Ensure compliance with departmental finance and commercial procedures, identifying risks early and resolving issues promptly.
• Support budget tracking and forecasting within discrete projects, including relevant month-end and year-end processes.
• Develop and maintain guidance, templates and workflows to support consistent, accurate and efficient financial activity across projects.
• Provide operational support across multiple priorities and workstreams, maintaining plans, timelines, risks and dependencies, and supporting effective delivery.
• Provide support to others to enable an effective Senior Leadership Team secretariat, including preparing meetings and room bookings where required.
• Manage diary, travel and meeting arrangements where required, ensuring clear information flows.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by reviewing and refining operational processes.

SC is required for this role. The applicant must be SC cleared or willing to go through clearance.

Role 2: Policy Lab Studio Officer

Finance & Commercial Operations

• Lead day-to-day finance and commercial processes, including contract administration.
• Ensure compliance with departmental finance and commercial procedures, identifying risks early and resolving issues promptly.
• Develop and maintain guidance, templates and workflows to support consistent, accurate and efficient financial activity across the team.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by reviewing and refining operational processes.

Physical Spaces & Tools

• Develop physical office spaces that support Policy Lab’s multidisciplinary ways of working, working with colleagues to identify requirements across the team in our offices across the country.
• Manage relationships with estates and suppliers.
• Manage the team’s physical assets and workshop materials, identifying requirements and procuring materials in line with departmental processes.

Digital Spaces & Tools

• Manage the team inbox, triaging queries and responding directly where appropriate, maintaining a high standard of service to internal and external stakeholders.
• Work with colleagues to identify team-level digital needs and source solutions in line with departmental processes.
• Take ownership of Policy Lab’s microsite and SharePoint, ensuring clear responsibilities, effective information management and up-to-date guidance.
• Support colleagues to troubleshoot IT issues where these cannot be resolved through existing self-service routes.

Senior Leader Support

• Manage diary, travel and meeting arrangements for the Heads of Policy Lab, anticipating requirements and resolving scheduling conflicts independently.
• Respond to ad hoc administrative requests from our Senior Leadership Team and wider Strategy Group, ensuring timely action and clear information flows across the team.

We welcome applications from candidates seeking part time or compressed working pattern. However, due to the nature of the work and the shift coverage required, the minimum number of contracted hours for this role is 30 hours per week over a 4 day period.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

Candidates must be able to demonstrate experience of:

• Financial or operational management: You have experience in a project, programme or studio context
• High-quality administrative or secretariat support: You have experience coordinating delivery across multiple priorities in a fast-paced, agile environment. Maintaining a strong attention to detail.
• Working across cross-team initiatives you have experience managing competing priorities and different ways of working; maintaining effective working relationships across a wide range of stakeholders.
• Innovative approaches to policymaking: Experience and or proven interest inpolicy design skills such as people-centred research, co-design, speculative design or strategic design.

Experience may come from a range of sectors and does not need to be from a policy role, provided relevant transferable skills are demonstrated.

Technical skills

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

• Describe a specific example of how you implemented a new operational process or improved an existing one. Explain the problem, the actions you personally took, how you worked with others, and the impact. Maximum 250 words
• A short presentation (approximately 5 minutes) based on your technical statement, supported by accompanying visuals, which should be used to provide evidence and further expand on the example(s) described in your written submission.

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

• Describe a specific example of how you implemented a new operational process or improved an existing one. Explain the problem, the actions you personally took, how you worked with others, and the impact. Maximum 250 words

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,260, Department for Education contributes £10,794 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.

As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.

You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King’s Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.

We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.

Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.

Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.

As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.

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 Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

To apply for this role, please select 'Apply Now' at the top or bottom of this advert. CV details need to be included in the template within the application form; attached or emailed CVs will not be considered.

Stage 1: Civil Service Numerical Test (CSNT)

When you have completed your personal information, you will be asked to complete the CSNT. You must achieve the minimum pass mark to progress to the next stage.

Stage 2: Civil Service Verbal Test (CSVT)

When you have completed the CSNT, you will be asked to complete the CSVT. You must achieve the minimum pass mark to progress to the next stage.

It is important you allow enough time to complete the test online (within 24-48 hours is recommended), and obtain the results before you can complete your full application online prior to the test closing date and time.

Do not leave completing the tests until the last minute in case you experience any access or technical issues. There may not be technical support available after business hours.

While the tests should work on most operating systems and modern browsers with a good internet connection, we cannot guarantee that every combination will work. At the beginning, the test will check which browser you are using, and alert you if it is likely to be incompatible.

It is highly recommended that you complete the online tests on a desktop computer, not a mobile phone or tablet.

If candidates require reasonable adjustments during the application process, or online test process, please allow sufficient time (at least 5 working days prior to the closing date) to allow us to review and progress your application to the next stage of the process.

Please note that there is no candidate support available from Friday 5pm until Monday 9am.

If you are unsuccessful in passing the online tests you will be unable to continue any further in the application process. If you successfully pass the tests, you will then progress to stage 3 of completing the full application.

Stage 3: Application

At sift stage, you will be assessed on your Experience & Technical Skills in line with the essential criteria listed in the person specification section of the job advert.

To apply for this role, please provide:

1. A ShortCV setting out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role.
2. Your Statement of Suitability – In no more than 500 words, provide examples of how your personal skills, qualities and experience meet the essential criteria. This is not intended to be a cover letter, instead work through each essential criteria in turn. You may wish to follow the STAR technique to help focus your examples. The key things we are looking for are what you did, how you did it and what the outcome was. Please indicate your role preference in the Statement of Suitability section when completed the application process.
3. Technical Statement - Describe a specific example of how you implemented a new operational process or improved an existing one. Explain the problem, the actions you personally took, how you worked with others, and the impact. Maximum 250 words.

To confirm, the maximum word count for the statement of suitability is 500 words. Please adhere to this limit as anything over 500 words will not be taken into account.

The CV, Statement of Suitability and Technical Statement will be assessed against the essential criteria detailed in the advert.

The sift will be restricted to just assessing the statement of suitability and technical statement in the event of a large volume of applications.

We reserve the right to increase the minimum pass mark for the CSNT and CSVT where there is a high volume of applications or a particularly strong field of candidates. Where this occurs, candidates who do not meet the revised pass mark will not progress further, and their written application will not be assessed.

Please note, CV details must be contained within the template on the application form. Any CV or Statement of Suitability that has been emailed to our team will not be considered.

Once you have submitted your application it cannot be amended; only submit your application when you have completely finished, answered all the relevant questions and reviewed the information entered.

Application sifting will take place 13 October 2026 onwards. Please note these dates are subject to change.

If you are successful at application sift stage, your application will be progressed onto Stage 4 part of the Selection process.

Stage 4 – Interview

The interview will be a 2 part process:

Part 1: A short presentation (approximately 5 minutes) based on your technical statement, supported by accompanying visuals, which should be used to provide evidence and further expand on the example(s) described in your written submission. Please be prepared to answer follow-up questions from the panel. You may use AI to support your research and thinking; however, you should not use AI to generate your presentation or script wholesale.

Part 2 - The interview will last approximately 60 minutes. You will be asked questions on the essential criteria listed above to determine your level of experience in these areas. Questions will typically ask for a brief and broad overview of your experience relevant to a criteria (e.g. tell us about your experience delivering policy projects) and/or a specific example (e.g. tell us about a time when you….). We may also ask you some follow-up questions. We will also ask you Strengths based questions.

Experience is the knowledge or mastery of an activity or subject by involvement in or exposure to it. When looking at your experience we are looking for/;

• Previous examples of what you have achieved.
• Your knowledge in a particular field which is relevant to the job role.
• How you performed in a particular field – not how long you served

Sometimes experience from outside work can be transferable from a non-work context. Skills gained through voluntary work or a hobby can show the experience you may need for a role. For example, teamwork or communication.

Strengths are a way for Hiring Managers to understand what motivates you and what you enjoy doing, which helps the panel to understand your areas of strength. Evidence shows that people do better work when a job aligns well with what they enjoy and find motivating. We don’t advertise which strengths we are going to assess you on as we want to be able to assess your first, natural response to the questions.

Interviews will take place towards the beginning of November 2026. Please note these dates are subject to change. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Interviews will be held over video conferencing using MS Teams. If you are invited to interview, please ensure that you have access to this software and that you have your video turned on. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We receive many applications, and unfortunately we’re not able to provide feedback for candidates who aren’t shortlisted. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

All communications will be electronic therefore it is vitally important that you check your Civil Service Jobs account regularly, as well as your spam/junk email folder.

Important Information

If you fail to complete the tests before the deadline, your application will be withdrawn. Guidance will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are untimed, administered via Civil Service Jobs, and applicant guidance is available during the test and online on GOV.UK Online Tests guidance.

Applicants must complete the test on their own, without help, and Departments reserve the right to retest applicants under supervised conditions at later stages of the selection process. Doing this can provide reassurance to recruiters who are concerned about the authenticity of one or more test results.

Please ensure you allow yourself sufficient time to complete both assessments and submit your application before the advertised deadline.

Reasonable adjustments & test accessibility:

See our reasonable adjustments guide for candidates (online tests), or some example case studies, to act as a guide. You can use these to help you decide whether to ask for help or take the test without help.

More information about online tests can be found here: Preparing for the Civil Service Verbal and Numerical tests - GOV.UK. You will also find practice tests on this page if you would find them helpful prior to completing the live test.

Other Information

In your application, please don’t include personal information that identifies you.

This means we can recruit based on your knowledge and skills, and not background, gender or ethnicity - it's called name blind recruitment (opens in a new window).

Please ensure that you remove from your application, all references to your:

• name/title
• educational institutions
• age
• gender
• email address
• postal address
• phone number
• nationality/immigration status

We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.

The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship.

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 on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

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.

Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs

Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.

Reasonable adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put 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:

Contact Department of Education via centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Assistance required” 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.

Please refer to the attached ‘Reasonable Adjustments Guide 05_2025 – accessible version’ at the bottom of the advert, for further information.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming 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/

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) 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

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 the