The Fast Stream Summer Internship Programme (SIP) gives people the opportunity to see what a career in the Civil Service is like. It puts talented undergraduates on a work placement in a government department. As a successful applicant, you’ll get an insight into the broad range of opportunities available across the Civil Service.
Job description
The Summer Internship Programme is a great way to prepare for a place in one of our Fast Stream graduate schemes, which could lead to many different career paths at the heart of the UK government. Two months on the SIP could change your life! You’ll also be invited to undertake the ‘Fast Pass’, which is an accelerated route to Fast Stream selection. The Fast Pass means if you receive a positive appraisal during the 2025 Summer Internship Programme and then apply for Fast Stream that year, you’ll be fast-tracked past the initial online selection stages. You’ll also have the option to defer your Fast Pass to the following year.
On the internship you’ll do challenging project-related work. You could be: Conducting research; Providing project support; Assisting with the creation of policy documents; Shadowing senior civil servants; Attending meetings with senior advisors on major issues. You’ll need: - a real interest in pursuing a career in the Civil Service - to show you can work in a team - to be innovative and creative - to be able to work with people at varying levels of ability and responsibility - to be motivated to help make improvements on major policy issues or on how public services are provided - to demonstrate the key behaviour we expect from civil servants.
You cannot apply for the SIP and a Fast Stream scheme in the same year You can only participate in the Summer Internship Programme once.
Person specification
In your final 2 years at university with a 2:2 or higher in any degree subject (expected or awarded) Right to work in the UK and meet eligibility requirements under Civil Service Nationality Rules. All offers are subject to completing relevant departmental security clearances prior to placement commencement.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
Benefits
An allocated Fast Stream buddy and a scheme manager to support and oversee you. An excellent range of central events for you to attend, such as skills sessions. A corporate welcome reception in early July and a closing reception in September involving inspirational speakers. Access to ‘Fast Pass’, which can potentially allow you to be fast-tracked to the final stages of the Fast Stream selection process.
A minimum of 6 weeks is required in Your placement in order to be considered for a ‘Fast Pass.’
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours.
You take the same initial online tests as all other applicants to the Fast Stream. If you pass, you then complete an online application form and invite you for a telephone interview during January and February 2025
You need to be available for the internship during the summer holiday period from July to August 2025.
Please note there are no roles available in Northern Ireland.
Further Information Any move to the 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 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 on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances, some candidates will want to send their completed forms directly. If you will be doing this, please advise the Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. 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 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 (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.
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 (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
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: faststream.applicationsupport@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
- Email: faststream.applicationsupport@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email: faststream.applicationsupport@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
