Details
Reference number
430534
Salary
£73,900 - £85,690
London pay location: £77,900 - £85,690
National pay location: £73,900 - £81,290
GBP
Job grade
Grade 6
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
HO - STARS
Type of role
Science
Working pattern
Full-time, Job share, Part-time, Compressed hours
Number of jobs available
1
Contents
* Location
* About the job
* Benefits
* Things you need to know
* Apply and further information
Location
Birmingham, Croydon, Salford, Solihull, Westminster
About the job
Job summary
The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.
The Science, Technology, Research and Analysis (STAR) Group sits at the heart of the Home Office. The group ensures the best evidence and analysis are used to address the strategic issues facing the department. We also provide the science, technology, data, and international insights and collaboration capabilities to drive delivery.
Job description
The Home Office has responsibility for the testing and evaluation of several types of police equipment to ensure it meets police operational requirements. Responsibility covers certification of personal protective equipment (PPE) against Home Office standards, Home Office Type Approval (HOTA) of road traffic law enforcement equipment, drink and drug drive test instruments, and assessments of less lethal weapons (LLW) and armed policing equipment to inform decisions on their authorisation for police use. To deliver this science service, Home Office works with partners from within government, including Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), and industry.
This is an exciting new role. You will be leading the delivery of a high-profile Home Office science service, including a major change programme to evolve the current operating model to ensure it is sustainable, cost-effective, responsive, resilient, fosters innovation and is trusted by all. Alongside this, you will also consider how we manage aspects of our controlled substances (drugs) research and development (R&D), and scope other uses for the Test and Evaluation (T&E) service.
As the new Head of Test and Evaluation you will be an expert delivery-focussed senior leader. You will be part of the leadership team in Science, Innovation and Technology (SIT) Delivery Team, part of the Home Office Science Directorate. We are responsible for the delivery of a multi-million pound Research and Development Portfolio and implementation of the Home Office Research Development and Innovation Strategy. We form part of the Home Office science and evidence ecosystem and as such are pivotal in maintaining collaboration and cross-working with our Home Office stakeholders, innovation organisations such as the Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE) and Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) and our operational partners (e.g. Policing and Border Force). We also work closely with wider government, suppliers in industry and academia and internationally to burden share on areas of mutual interest.
The role will have the following responsibilities:
* Oversight and effective delivery of police equipment assurance which informs Home Office Type Approval (HOTA), Certification to standards or approval of equipment for police use that has been demonstrated to meet police operational requirements.
* Oversight of the assurance transformation programme to optimise current processes including mitigation of risks and issues and being the senior link with our partners (e.g. Defence Science and Technology Laboratories (Dstl), policing, policy colleagues).
* Learning from best practice on assurance transformation, oversight of the review, design and implementation of new delivery models for controlled substances (drugs) delivery, working with the R&D portfolio.
* Establishing relationships to access expert technical advice to maximise awareness and understanding of Home Office policy customers in the authorisation and decisions-support for procurement, including support to investigations if there are any issues or failures of equipment.
* Ensuring appropriate governance mechanisms are in place to oversee the business-as usual and change, including business case development and Ministerial / Senior official correspondence as the need arises
* Being visionary to identify other opportunities to expand the T&E service to (e.g. AI, facial recognition) and developing plans to set these up.
* Working with the wider R&D Portfolio, management of a c. £4.4M annual budget to time, cost and quality including leadership of a small team to support efficient and effective delivery.
* Strong and effective line management is essential, ensuring the guidance, support and development of team members to drive high standards of delivery and foster a positive, collaborative working environment.
Working pattern
This role is available on a full-time basis with the option of job-share and compressed hours are available. This role is also suitable for part-time working hours, with a minimum requirement to work 3 days per week due to business requirements.
Travel
* Regular UK travel is required (including some with overnight stays) along with occasional overseas travel.
* A driving license is recommended.
Person specification
Essential criteria
* The individual must already possess SC clearance or be open to obtaining it.
* Demonstrable experience of working in government research, development and innovation (RDI) ecosystems, able to bring awareness, understanding and insight.
* Demonstrates the capacity to navigate complex situations and resolve challenges, consistently delivering positive results.
* Excellent interpersonal abilities, enabling a clear understanding of diverse viewpoints and the capacity to influence or negotiate successfully with senior stakeholders who may have competing priorities.
* Effective communication skills (written and oral) and ability to convey technical concepts and processes simply and impact fully to seniors and Ministers.
* Programme management with an emphasis on implementing change, particularly in an RDI setting.
* Strong people leadership skills including setting up of new capabilities and driving continuous improvement.
* Proven ability to lead teams, establish new functions, and promote ongoing enhancements in performance and capability.
* Understanding of how government procurement and commercial processes operate.
* A proven history of delivering programmes on schedule, within budget, and to the required standards of quality.
Desirable criteria
* Knowledge of standards development and management
* Understanding of operational policing and public safety considerations.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Seeing the Big Picture
* Changing and Improving
* Leadership
* Managing a Quality Service
* Working Together
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
* Seeing the Big Picture
Benefits
In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:
* A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
* In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.
* 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service to 30 days.
* Eight days of public holidays, plus one additional privilege day.
* Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office.
* See more of our benefits on our careers website.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
We will endeavour to conduct the selection process in line with the dates indicated below, but cannot guarantee that these will not, where necessary, be revised.
* Application – by 19th October 2025.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:
* CV.
* Personal Statement (maximum 1000 words).
* Evidence of the Behaviour - Seeing the big picture (maximum of 250 words per Behaviour).
Your CV should consist of your career history, qualifications and skills/experience, including any key achievements in each role. Your CV will be scored against the experience required for the role as noted within the essential criteria.
The Personal Statement should be aligned to and demonstrate how you meet the skills and experience set out in the essential criteria, detailed in the job description.
For guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV, Personal Statement and Behaviours), you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.
2.Sift – commencing 20th October 2025.
The sift will be held on the CV, Personal Statement and Behaviour - Seeing the big picture.
Should a high volume of applications be received, the sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement, CV and Lead behaviour - seeing the big picture.
3.Interview – week commencing 10th November 2025.
If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview that will be Behaviours (as listed in the job advert) and Strength-based questions (as listed in the job advert).
The interview will take place on Teams.
In addition, candidates will be asked to prepare a presentation that will be delivered at interview. The presentation question will be disclosed closer to the interviews.
For guidance and information on what to expect and how to prepare for an interview, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers.
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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Problems during the application process
If you experience problems accessing this advert, or you think you've made a mistake on an initial application, please contact, including the vacancy reference, at least two working days before the vacancy closes. Further information can be found on our website.
Do not create or attempt to submit another application, online test or use a different Civil Service Jobs account to proceed as this would be in violation of the candidate declaration.
Location preference
You will only be able to select a single location preference so please ensure this is a location that you are prepared to travel to. If you are offered a role at your preferred location and you decline, your application will be withdrawn.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made. There is no guarantee that being held on a reserve list will lead to a job offer. Further information can be found on our website.
Reserve lists will be held for each location. Candidates will be appointed in merit order by location.
Standards
All Civil Servants are expected to comply with the Civil Service Code, and its core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.
Additional Security Checks
As well as successfully obtaining UK Security Vetting clearance, candidates will be subject to a range of additional checks. The range of checks carried out will depend on whether you are a current Home Office employee, existing civil servant or an external new entrant as well as the role requirements. The level of Criminal Record Check required for this role is SC. Further details are included in the Notes to Candidates.
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 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.
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 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- stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
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 .
See our vetting charter .
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)
* 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
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code 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 .
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 Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans 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 : Home Office resourcing centre
* Email :
Recruitment team
* Email :
Further information
If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service recruitment principles and you wish to make a complaint, then contact the Government Recruitment Service via If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission.