Schemes
Digital, Data, Technology and Cyber
On the Digital, Data, Technology (DDaT) and Cyber Fast Stream, you will have a unique opportunity to learn and work across 4 digital, data, technology or cyber areas in a fast paced and learner driven environment where the work you do will impact the lives of millions of people.
- Duration
- 3 years
- Salary
- £31,186
- Location
- UK-wide
About
DDaT and Cyber Fast Streamers operate across the whole UK Civil Service. On scheme you'll have the chance to develop your leadership and management while developing skills and experience through a number of postings. During your postings, Fast Streamers will work in a variety of areas;
- Digital
- Delivering a variety of digital services that transforms the way government engages with the public
- Data
- Using data resources to identify and solve complex problems, ensuring any data is treated in a secure and ethical way
- Technology
- Supporting government departments with the design and implementation of technology solutions
- Cyber
- Protecting information systems, the data on them and the services they provide, from unauthorised access, harm or misuse
The work of DDaT and Cyber across government is diverse, working on services that are used by millions of people every day. Services such as register to vote, apply for a driving licence or apply for a UK passport. Your experiences will be equally diverse, with the opportunity of working in a wide range of government departments or agencies.
You may be:
- gathering and analysing data, including user research
- product managing a new feature or improvements to an existing government service
- project managing an IT system upgrade
- advising ministers and senior management on DDaT and cyber strategy and policies
- performing detailed reviews of digital services in order to provide security assurance and prevent and mitigate against potential cyber risks
Requirements
- Eligible to work in the UK
- You need, or expect to have, a 2:2, a degree apprenticeship or post-graduate degree in any subject
- Existing civil servants can apply without a degree
What will you experience?
You will have the opportunity to make government services even more secure, easy to use, increasingly relevant and optimised for the evolving needs of our users and protect the systems and citizens' data. This is your chance to be involved in some of the most innovative e-government projects in the world and to make a difference.
Some of the projects our fast streamers have worked on have included:
- Supporting the Department of Education with the role out of over 1.3m laptops to disadvantaged young people, to ensure they will able to continue to learn at home during Covid
- Working on a new payment system for prisons to ensure family and friends could send money securely to prisoners
- Supporting the work on the Covid Test and Trace system to enable contact with people who had been in contact with an infectious person
No two projects are the same as each department has different needs, but you will experience lots of support while you are in your placement, with the opportunity to lead on projects and provide valuable input.
You'll have the opportunity to engage with senior stakeholders both inside and outside of government from day one. Each posting will allow you to build on your core skills in DDaT and cyber. No two pillars will share the same career path but will develop you to be future leaders.
Promotion and successful completion of the scheme will see you earn around £45k to £55k in your first role after the Fast Stream. The scheme is designed so that, wherever you find yourself working in government beyond the DDaT and Cyber Fast Stream scheme, you will have the skills and experience that allow you to be a professional leader within government.
During the 3 year scheme, some Cyber Fast Streamers will have the opportunity to undergo a higher level of security clearance 'Developed Vetting'. Please see a demystifying blog post from a current DV cleared civil servant and our Vetting Charter to learn more about what to expect.
Your progression through the programme
Year 1: 12-month posting. Projects may include carrying out user research to improve access to government services; working on risk and service evaluations, participating in incident management and response activities, taking part in secure design architecture and development activities, progressing departmental and cross-government projects, analysing event logs and enabling event responses;
Year 2: You will decide which pillar of the scheme; digital or cyber you would like to develop in.
You'll own an exciting project and be tasked with increasing responsibilities to further your development as a future leader in your chosen area.
Begin to understand career options.
Year 3: A 12-month posting. You'll continue to use the latest technology, practice and ideas and lead the way with innovative approaches to digital government.
By the end of your final 12-month placement, you will be equipped to lead in a range of high profile DDaT and Cyber related areas within government.
Supporting your learning
When you join the DDaT and Cyber Fast Stream scheme you will undertake a dynamic introduction into DDaT and Cyber, regardless of your first 12 month posting.
As a DDaT and Cyber Fast Streamer you will also get a blend of learning and development (L&D) activities covering technical training and core skills, leadership, communication and teamwork.
The pillar you are assigned to will determine the learning you undertake beyond the induction phase. Each pillar has its own learning path, and some will include working towards gaining qualifications like the Certificatein Information Security Management Principles (CISMP).
We will support your development through e-learning and face-to-face/virtual classrooms. You will also have access to mentoring and work shadowing opportunities and you will work with skills and capability managers who will support your development.
Salary
Up to £55k
- Starting Salary - £31,186
- Capability assessed salary increases throughout the scheme
- Towards the end of Year 3, you will complete your End of Scheme Assessment. If successful, you will be promoted off the scheme, either into a role you have identified or into a priority permanent role allocated by the scheme. In your role on graduation from the scheme, you could earn between £45k and £55k.
What benefits will you enjoy?
You'll have a unique opportunity to start your career in DDaT and cyber security improving delivery of public services, often politically sensitive, which really matter. As well as great roles, working with experts and access to specialist L&D, you will also have the best opportunity to gain the skills and experience that will make you a credible leader within the UK Civil Service.
Other benefits include the Civil Service pension scheme, professional qualifications, flexible working, season ticket loans, sports and social activities, child care assistance and more.
Learning and Development on the Digital, Data, Technology and Cyber Scheme
Alongside the scheme-specific learning offer, you will complete the universal training which provides core foundation skills and leadership & management skills.
Application process
-
Online assessments
The online assessments consist of Work Style Questionnaires, a multimedia Situational Judgement Questionnaire, Numerical Test and Work Based Scenarios.
-
Assessment centre
If you pass the online assessments, you'll be invited to undertake a half day assessment centre. This will be conducted virtually on line. The Fast Stream Assessment Centre (FSAC) reflects some of the key elements of a Fast Stream role and will consist a leadership scenario, a team scenario and a written scenario. Information will be presented via an app that you will be able to access remotely.
