Research Caseworker (UKSV)

Job summary

The Senior Researcher works in a small, dedicated team in Belfast, processing National Security Vetting applications at the further research stage. This is a critical role that requires a high degree of independent judgement, leadership, and administrative capability to deliver timely and accurate security assessments.

Job description

Your daily duties will include but not be limited to:

• Manage and mentor a small team of Administrative Officers (AOs).
• Process National Security Vetting applications during the further research stage.
• Utilise a wide range of tools to research and analyse adverse information, clearly articulating assessments and identifying key information to deliver timely recommendations.
• Make independent decisions on vetting cases to determine whether an application can be, cleared, returned for further information or referred for further assessment by the Casework Team.
• Advise Initial Researchers on the depth of research required for vetting cases.
• Liaise frequently with customers throughout Government, vetting sponsors, and key stakeholders via telephone and email, handling all queries promptly and effectively.
• Manage a busy workload, follow all relevant policies, processes, and regulations, and handle sensitive information discreetly.
• Report directly to an HEO Team Leader.

Person specification

As a Research Caseworker within UK Security Vetting, we are looking for people who have the following expertise and attributes:

• Exercise strong judgement and make confident, independent decisions while knowing when to escalate issues.
• Maintain the ability to evidence clearly how and why a decision was made.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of presenting information in a clear and concise manner with meticulous attention to detail.
• Good organisational and administrative skills necessary for accurate documentation and management of background information.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and effectively manage your own busy workload.
• Ability to handle all sensitive information discreetly.
• Applicants must be willing to go through security vetting to DV plus a further Top Up stage.
• Ability to work full time in an office environment in Belfast (no work from home provision).
• Must hold a Full Driving Licence and have access to a vehicle.

Desirable Criteria

• Previous experience in interpreting intelligence and evidence to produce recommendations.
• General experience of research.

Additional information:

Cabinet Office policy is that a minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. For some roles, due to their nature and the business need, this may be up to 100%. Requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £29,727, Cabinet Office contributes £8,611 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 which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and employer contributions of 28.97%.
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.

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, Strengths and Experience.

Application process

At the sift stage you will be assessed on the Experience elements of the Success Profiles.

To assess experience you will be asked to providea 750-word personal statement as part of the application process.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Selection process

At interview, you will be assessed on the Behaviours, Experience and Strengthselements of the Success Profiles.

The Behaviours being assessed are Making Effective Decisions and Seeing the Big Picture.

The Strengths assessed will be relative to requirements listed in the person specification and Behaviours being assessed so please read the advert carefully and consider what Strengths might be relevant to the role.

Interviews will be held face-to-face in Belfast. If you are not able to attend any of the available interview dates we may not be able to offer alternatives.

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date – w/c 7 March 2026

Expected interview date/s – 6 and 7 May 2026

Interview location - Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.

Reasonable adjustments

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 Government Recruitment Service via cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.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.

Further information

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'contact point for applicants' section.

Please note that this role requires DV clearance, which would normally need 10 years’ UK residency in the past 10 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

Any move to Cabinet Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

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

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

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 Access NI 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.

For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk

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.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Feedback

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 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.

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

Job contact :

• Name : UKSV Resourcing Team
• Email : uksv-resourcingteam@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@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 by email at : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response 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.

Attachments

Research Caseworker Job Pack.pptx Opens in new window (pdf, 6284kB)2022-11-04 Cabinet Office Employee Offer (6) Opens in new window (pdf, 344kB)2025-07-24 Cabinet Office Terms and Conditions - External (4) Opens in new window (pdf, 82kB)