Details
Reference number
424588
Salary
£37,300 - £44,191
National pay locations: Belfast, Leeds, Stoke-on-Trent £37,300 - £39,911
London pay locations: Croydon, £41,300 - £44,191
GBP
Job grade
Higher Executive Officer
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
HO - STARS
Type of role
Policy
Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time
Number of jobs available
1
Contents
* Location
* About the job
* Benefits
* Things you need to know
* Apply and further information
Location
Belfast, Croydon, Leeds, Stoke-on-Trent
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.
The Country Policy & Information Team (CPIT) is part of Science, Technology, Analysis and Research (STAR). CPIT produces internationally respected country reports, which contain accurate and reliable country information and rigorous, evidenced guidance on handling common protection claims made in the UK.
CPIT also provides support to Ministers and are involved in litigation in the courts about the situation in countries, working closely with other teams in the Home Office as well as the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and other Government Departments.
The team is also involved in research and analysis to support wider reform of the asylum and appeals system.
This post offers an opportunity to work on a fast-paced, high-profile policy area which attracts a significant amount of Parliamentary, public and media interest and which cuts across domestic and international issues.
Job description
The successful candidate will be required to draft reports that accurately describe the human rights situation in countries around the world – you will do this by:
* Planning and undertaking high quality research in line with international standards (n.b. training will be provided);
* Critically assessing and analysing research material alongside relevant asylum and refugee law and policy; and
* Producing succinct, evidence-based guidance to enable asylum decision makers to make timely, accurate and consistent decisions.
You will also answer queries on the portfolio of countries for which you are responsible.
To learn more about the reports we produce, please visit our Country Policy and Information Notes page on
Key Responsibilities
* Understand the legislative framework; policies and processes; current challenges faced by operational teams; as well as emerging case law and how that impacts on the work of the team.
* Be able to produce clear, rational, and well-evidenced conclusions from complex, often anecdotal, and sometimes conflicting evidence.
* Be capable of contextualising how that anecdotal and partial evidence is reflective of a wider group and as a reflection of the general country situation. Draft or contribute to oral and written briefings for Ministers and others, as required.
* Be actively open-minded, be intellectually curious and introspective.
* Be receptive to constructive feedback, including on written work, and committed to continuous improvement and development.
* Adapt to changing priorities and manage workload accordingly, escalating where appropriate, and be willing to work flexibly across the wider team as required.
* Build and maintain strong working relationships with partners within the Home Office, across Government, externally and internationally – including partners who may hold opposing views to the Home Office. Contribute to the unit being a centre of expertise that is trusted by end users, stakeholders and the courts.
Note: You may be required to carry out other duties within the scope of the grade and within the limits of your skill, competence and training.
Working Pattern
This role is available on a full-time basis with the option of compressed hours working. This role is also suitable for part-time working hours, with a minimum requirement to work 3 days / 22:12 hours per week due to business requirements.
Travel
As the core of the team is based in Croydon, some travel to Croydon will be required.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
* Ability to analyse complex information.
* Strong attention to detail.
* Critical thinking.
* Able to make effective decisions, weighing a wide range of often conflicting evidence and coming to well-reasoned conclusions.
* Ability to critically evaluate sources and the information or data they provide before drawing conclusions.
* Strong drafting skills.
* Be able to manage competing priorities and work to tight deadlines.
Desirable Criteria
* An understanding of the UK's immigration system - in particular asylum.
* Research and analytical skills.
* Proficiency in using the range of Microsoft Office products to present and convey information in visually engaging formats.
* Willingness to travel if required to, including difficult country environments and/or at short notice.
* Proficiency or understanding of additional languages.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Making Effective Decisions
* Seeing the Big Picture
* Communicating and Influencing
* Delivering at Pace
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, Ability 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.
As part of the application process, you will first be asked to confirm your eligibility by providing some basic personal information.
After submission of this first stage, you will be invited to complete the followingCivil Service Judgement test.
* Online Test – by Friday 12th September 2025
If you successfully pass the Civil Service Judgement test, you will be invited to complete the full application form. Please complete the online test(s) as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended). If you fail to complete the online test or full application before the deadline, your application will be withdrawn.
Guidance for the Civil Service tests will be available when you are invited to take the tests. The online tests are accessed via the Civil Service Jobs website.
You cannot complete the tests on a mobile phone or tablet.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Our online test supplier will be performing scheduled maintenance between 4:00pm and 7:00pm on 30th August 2025. There will be up to 1 hour during this time where candidates will not be able to access tests.
All online tests will be affected.
Impact for candidates
Candidates who are taking a test when the downtime starts will have their test paused. They will be able to pick up where they left off after the downtime. They can do this by accessing the test again from their application centre.
Candidates will not be able to launch new tests during the downtime.
Candidates reporting issues should be advised to return to take the test after 7:00pm on 30th August 2025.
Following successful completion of your test, you will then be asked to complete the full application form.
1. Application – by Friday 12th September 2025
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:
* CV.
* Personal Statement (maximum 1000 words).
* Evidence of the Behaviour/s Making Effective Decisions, Seeing the Big Picture, Communicating and Influencing and Delivering at Pace (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.
1. Sift – week commencing Monday 15th September 2025
The sift will be held on the Personal Statement, CV and behaviours.
In the event a high volume of applications are received, an initial sift will be based on the CV and personal statement then, if necessary, on the Lead Behaviour - Making Effective Decisions. Candidates who pass the initial sift will be progressed to a full sift.
1. Interview – week commencing Monday 22nd September 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).
In addition, candidates will be asked to prepare a presentation that will be delivered at interview. The presentation question/scenario 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 Preferences
You can select up to threelocations in order of preference. Please ensure that these are locations you are prepared to travel to. If you are offered a role at one of your preferred location(s) 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. Further details are included in the Notes to Candidates.
Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service or 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- 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 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email
Further information
If you are invited to an interview, you will be required to bring documentation for the purposes of establishing your identity.
You will need to meet the nationality requirements for this role and obtain the necessary security clearance to take it up.
For meaningful security checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. Learn more on our website. Security Checks - Home Office Careers
Visa sponsorship
We do not sponsor individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas.
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.
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 counter-terrorist 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 recruitment
principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance
If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission.