Schemes

Operational Delivery

Are you passionate about making a difference, helping citizens, and changing lives? The Operational Delivery Fast Stream programme could be the perfect opportunity for you!

Duration

3.5 years

Salary

£31,186

Location

Northwest, Northeast, and Wales for Year 1.

About

The Operational Delivery Fast Stream programme is a brand-new Civil Service graduate scheme which will start in 2024 and offers an unparalleled experience of making a real difference by leading through others to make government policies, strategies and plans a reality. In the work that you do, you will be transforming people's lives for the better.

As an Operational Delivery Fast Streamer, you will be fully supported to:

Develop into confident, inspiring, and empowering leaders; learning how to manage people and teams through on-the-job learning and accredited qualifications.
Lead the services that make a real difference to people's lives every day.
Experience the tangible, positive impact your work has on UK citizens both here and abroad.

The programme will offer placements across the UK

The first Operational Delivery Fast Stream cohort, running from 2024 - 2027, will undertake their first-year placements in Sept 2024 - Sept 2025 in the Northwest, Northeast, or Wales only.
Anyone from across the UK who is eligible can apply, candidates do not have to currently live in the Northwest, Northeast, or Wales. However, if successful you will need to relocate to the Northwest, North East or Wales for the 1st year
From year two onwards, Operational Delivery Fast Streamers will be given the option to be posted in any UK regional location (except inner London); allowing individuals the option to plan their future in one region, if desired.

The Operational Delivery Fast Stream is a three-and-a-half-year scheme (3 years on programme, up to 6 months of off-boarding).

Operational Delivery Fast Streamers will undertake four placements across a range of government departments. In the second year Fast Streamers will undertake a secondment to a charity, or wider-public organisation as well as a Policy or Digital Transformation posting.

Requirements

You will need to have a university degree - at least a 2:2
Or
You will need to be an existing civil servant

What will you experience?

You will lead and manage teams of dedicated civil servants delivering essential services to the public.

You will gain experience in four varied and challenging Operational Delivery roles. These could include roles in enforcement, compliance, data analysis or counter fraud, across a range of government departments, including the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Justice, Department for Work and Pensions, HM Revenue and Customs, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Home Office.

Year

Year 1: 12-month placement in a government department Operational Delivery role (in 24/25 this will be limited to the Northwest, Northeast, or Wales) including up to 3 months of front-line experience in an operational environment. There will be some line management responsibilities within this year leading and managing a small operational team.

Year 2: 6-month role in a Policy or Digital Transformation role in a government department.

6-month secondment to a 3rd Sector or wider-public organisation, for example in organisations such as the NHS, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Health Education England, Inspiring Teachers, or Breaking Barriers.

Year 3: 12-month placement in an operational delivery role. There will be large scale management responsibilities included in this year's placement, in a complex, highly critical and challenging role.

Supporting your learning

All Fast Streamers receive the same core training, alongside this you will receive specialist training unique to the Operational Delivery Fast Stream. This includes:

A Chartered Management Institute Level 6 in Leadership and Management qualification, designed specifically for the Operational Delivery Fast Stream with additional extra-curricular activities such as events, mentoring, and shadowing opportunities across years 1 and 2.
'Policy to Delivery' course in year 3.
An additional Executive Leadership Course provided by a leading university in year 3.

What benefits will you enjoy?

Some of the benefits that you will enjoy are:

Gaining experience in line management from smaller operational teams to large scale complex teams.
First-hand front-line operational experience
Completion of a level 6 CMI accredited qualification, with the opportunity to apply for Chartered Management Status on completion.
Completion of an executive leadership course
Experience in Policy or Digital Transformation to bring back to Operational Delivery
The opportunity to widen experience in a 3rd sector/charity organisation.
Being a part of the largest profession across government.

Learning and Development on the Operational Delivery 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.