239 Jobs in Greater Manchester

Job summary

Government Skills, formally Government Skills and Curriculum unit, was created in 2020 to improve the coherence and quality of learning and development in government through better training, knowledge and networks. It is the backbone behind The Campus, a term used to unite all the locations, on and offline, where over 450,000 Civil Servants across Government develop the skills, knowledge and networks they need.

The aim was to accelerate the development of the skills, knowledge and networks of all civil servants, reaching across the wider public sector and delivering better public services for citizens across the country.

As we move into a new era under a new Government the aim is to reduce the cost of learning and improve the quality of outputs by moving to a new operating model.

This is an exciting time of growth for Government Skills with new positions being created to support the future operating model.

The Fast Stream and Emerging Talent (FSET) team is part of Government Skills, where this role is positioned.

FSET activities include:

• Delivering the Fast Stream, the government’s flagship graduate leadership programme, for approximately 2,000 Fast Streamers. This includes a high quality and end-to-end training programme and assessment framework.
• Delivering other emerging talent programmes including Apprenticeships and Beyond Boundaries.

Job description

This role will be responsible, in particular, for supporting the design, delivery and evaluation of the Fast Stream assessments, which assessed over 60,000 applicants last year. The Civil Service Fast Stream is a highly prestigious graduate programme designed to develop the next generation of leaders in the UK civil service. It aims to attract and nurture talented individuals with diverse backgrounds, equipping them with the skills and experience needed to tackle complex policy and operational challenges. As the Higher Psychologist, you will work collaboratively with other psychologists and HR specialists, supporting colleagues across a varied portfolio of work, to support the fair and inclusive assessment of candidates. You will support colleagues to scope and deliver defined projects and pieces of work, and act as the main point of contact for allocated work.

You can find more information about the Fast Stream on our GOV.UK page:

https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/fast-stream/

This post is part of the widerGOPP, the largest Occupational Psychology community in the UK. With over 250 members across major government departments, agencies and arms-length bodies, the GOPP offers an unparalleled environment for professional growth. Your career in the GOPP will develop both your technical and consultancy capabilities, providing ample opportunities to connect with fellow professionals. We encourage you to sign up to the profession upon joining the Civil Service.

Key responsibilities:

• Supporting the scoping and designing of recruitment, learning and development and assessment solutions including psychometric tests, assessment centre exercises and evidence-based sifting tools.
• Researching and evaluating the effectiveness of assessments through quantitative and qualitative methods (with support from Senior Occupational Psychologists), including statistical analysis and data interrogation to evaluate reliability, validity and fairness of assessments (e.g., adverse impact analysis).
• Researching new and emerging assessment methods/processes.
• Working on projects concurrently across all stages of the consultancy cycle.
• Liaising closely with the wider Fast Stream and Early Talent team, working as part of a multi-disciplinary team to meet client needs and deliver projects to required timescales.
• Presenting and communicating evidence-based findings verbally and in writing.
• Supporting the design and delivery of comprehensive training packages to train assessors, interviewers and role players.
• Providing Occupational Psychology support for information gathering exercises such as surveys and focus groups, and providing activities to support organisational development.
• Providing professional Occupational Psychology advice and guidance to clients and senior leaders to ensure adherence to industry best practice and the highest ethical standards.
• Working with team members to represent the Occupational Psychology profession at working groups, committees and other forums across government to inform policy and operations.

Person specification

• Relevant experience in an assessment and selection role following successful completion of an MSc in Occupational Psychology.
• Supporting the delivery of key projects throughout the consultancy cycle, taking personal responsibility for allocated tasks and ensuring agreed deadlines are met.
• Collaborating with senior colleagues to engage with clients, assist in diagnosing issues, and contribute to developing strategies for change.
• Relationship building skills with stakeholders and teams, to influence and collaborate.
• Conducting data analysis (quantitative and qualitative methods), including statistical analysis and data interrogation, to evaluate reliability, validity and fairness of assessments (e.g., adverse impact analysis).
• Supporting the designing of a wide range of assessment and selection methods, including interview, assessment centre exercises and psychometric tools and ability tests.
• Experience of conducting a variety of assessments including interviews, assessment centre exercises and psychometric tests.
• Experience of designing or delivering training, especially for assessors or interviewers.
• Promoting Occupational Psychology concepts/ recruitment best practice and guidance to non-expert stakeholders (e.g. different teams, customers).
• An understanding of applying reasonable adjustments for candidates at different stages of the assessment journey.

Skills

We will assess the technical skills listed in theGovernment Occupational Psychology Skills & Standards at Higher Psychologist level (p16 – 23):

• Professional Skill: Knowledge Base
• Professional Skill: Research & Evaluation
• Professional Skill: Consultancy.

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.

Licences

Following probation, you will be required to enrol on a qualification to achieve Registered Occupational Psychologist status. (Your line manager will tell you the appropriate qualification that you will be enrolled on.) NB. Chartered Psychologist status is not required at this grade.

Qualifications

•MSc Occupational Psychology (or equivalent titled course) approved as Stage 1 by the British Psychological Society.
•Enrolled OR Eligible to enrol on the British Psychological Society Qualification in Occupational Psychology Stage 2 or have completed MRes part (years 1 and 2) of a professional doctorate in occupational psychology conferring HCPC registration and enrolled on final doctorate component (years 3 & 4) to give eligibility for Chartered Membership with the British Psychological Society.

Memberships

Graduate Member of the British Psychological Society (or eligible to join).

Technical skills

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

• Supporting the design of a range of assessment and selection methods, including interview, assessment centre exercises and psychometric tools and ability tests

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,922, Cabinet Office contributes £10,986 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).

• 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 Experience and Technical skills.

Application process

As part of the application form you will be asked to submit:

• A CV
• A technical question of up to 250 words evidencing the following: ‘Supporting the design of a range of assessment and selection methods, including interview, assessment centre exercises and psychometric tools and ability tests.’
• A personal statement of up to 750 words evidencing the following points:

1. Supporting the delivery of key projects, taking responsibility for tasks and ensuring deadlines are met.
2. Relationship building skills with stakeholders and teams, to influence and collaborate.
3. Conducting data analysis (quantitative and qualitative methods) to evaluate the effectiveness of assessments
4. Experience of delivering assessments and/or training.
5. Experience of taking responsibility for ongoing professional growth as a psychologist.

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

Should a large number of applications be received, An initial sift will be on the technical question of up to 250 words evidencing the following: ‘Supporting the design of a range of assessment and selection methods, including interview, assessment centre exercises and psychometric tools and ability tests.’

Selection process

Candidates will be asked to complete a work sample test and an interview. Details of the work sample will be shared with candidates once sift scores are released.

Across the two methods, candidates will be assessed against the technical skills and knowledge and experience listed in the job description.

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date – W.C 24th August 2026

Expected interview date/s – WC 14th September 2026

Interview location - Virtual via google meets.

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:

• Contact Government Recruitment Service via COrecruitment.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.

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

Further information

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/Disclosure Scotland 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 Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 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.

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.

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

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

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. Determine your eligibility at: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.

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

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.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

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 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.

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

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 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 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 : Cathy Watkins
• Email : cathy.watkins@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

Candidate_Information_v17_April_2026 Opens in new window (pdf, 207kB)Cabinet Office Employee Offer Opens in new window (pdf, 302kB)Cabinet Office Terms and Conditions - External 2025-02-20 Opens in new window (docx, 83kB)