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Civil Service job
Permanent Secretary, Department for Work and Skills
Department for Work and Skills — Permanent Secretary’s Office
| Reference | SCS-W1-009 |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Department for Work and Skills |
| Team | Permanent Secretary’s Office |
| Vacancy type | Civil Service |
| Closing date | 4 October 2026 at 23:59 BST |
Job description
The Permanent Secretary is the department’s senior Civil Service official. Responsibilities include departmental administration, support and advice to ministers, implementation of DWS standards, governance, sponsorship of public bodies and executive agencies, records and information management, finance and resource stewardship, departmental capability, Civil Service propriety, Programme for Government delivery discipline and escalation of workforce risks.
Selection criteria
- Essential
- Demonstrates the Civil Service values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.; Evidence of senior leadership, sound judgement and the ability to lead a permanent and impartial public administration.; Ability to give candid, evidence-based advice to ministers and implement lawful decisions while maintaining proper institutional boundaries.; Ability to establish and maintain governance, risk, records, performance and resource controls appropriate to a senior Civil Service office.; Realistic availability to carry the continuing responsibilities of the office.
- Assessment
- Written application evidence against the published criteria.; Shortlisting against the same published criteria for all candidates.; Structured interview and any role-specific assessment announced to shortlisted candidates.; Senior appointment oversight and Civil Service Commission involvement where required.
- Reasonable adjustments
- Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the selection process. Candidates should describe the adjustment or arrangement they need, not provide unrelated medical information.
- Candidate reading
- The Civil Service Code; Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles — 2026; Working in the United Hampshire Civil Service — opportunities and recruitment; How government works; Cabinet Manual — 1st edition 2026; Coth Ministry Programme for Government 2026; Relevant department and role information
- Role specific responsibilities
- The Permanent Secretary is the department’s senior Civil Service official. Responsibilities include departmental administration, support and advice to ministers, implementation of DWS standards, governance, sponsorship of public bodies and executive agencies, records and information management, finance and resource stewardship, departmental capability, Civil Service propriety, Programme for Government delivery discipline and escalation of workforce risks.
What happens next
Applications are assessed against the published criteria. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to an assessment or interview. A submitted application does not guarantee appointment.