UK Job Description Template · Civil Servant (HEO/SEO)
UK Civil Servant Job Description Template 2026 — HEO/SEO
Job purpose
To deliver policy, operational, or analytical work in support of departmental objectives. Apply Civil Service values (integrity, honesty, objectivity, impartiality) and contribute to public service outcomes.
Key responsibilities
- • Lead delivery of work packages within policy or operational area
- • Brief senior officials and ministers (where applicable)
- • Manage cross-government/external stakeholder relationships
- • Draft submissions, briefings, and policy papers
- • Lead small teams and develop staff
- • Contribute to departmental strategy and priorities
- • Apply Success Profiles framework to delivery
- • Manage budgets and contracts (where applicable)
- • Engage with parliamentary processes (PQs, select committees)
- • Maintain Civil Service Code standards
Essential skills
- ✓ Strong written and verbal communication
- ✓ Analytical thinking and judgement
- ✓ Stakeholder management
- ✓ Project/programme management
- ✓ Working with public sector context
- ✓ Specific subject matter expertise for the role
- ✓ Civil Service Behaviours (Communicating, Delivering at Pace, Working Together, etc.)
Desirable skills
- + Specific policy area knowledge
- + Experience working with ministers/SpAds
- + Programme management certifications (MSP, PRINCE2)
- + Specialist analytical skills (economics, statistics, social research)
- + Cross-government experience
- + Specific stakeholder relationships in relevant area
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree typical. Specific subject expertise valued. Certain departments require specific qualifications (analyst posts: economics/statistics degree; legal posts: solicitor/barrister qualification). DBS check often mandatory.
Experience
EO/HEO: 2-5 years. SEO: 5-10 years with delivery and team leadership. Grade 7: 10-15 years with strategic responsibility. Grade 6: 15+ years.
UK salary ranges
Junior
£28,000-£34,000 EO / £33,000-£42,000 HEO (London weighting +£3-5k)
Mid-level
£42,000-£55,000 SEO (with London weighting)
Senior
£55,000-£75,000 Grade 7 / £70,000-£90,000 Grade 6
Working pattern
UK Civil Service typically hybrid (2-3 days office). Most departments based in central London with regional offices growing. Standard hours with intensity around parliamentary cycles, budget periods, or crises. Strong work-life balance compared to private sector.
Career progression
AO/EO → HEO → SEO → Grade 7 → Grade 6 → SCS1 (Deputy Director) → SCS2 (Director) → SCS3 (Director General) → SCS4 (Permanent Secretary). Specialisations: policy, operations, digital, finance, project delivery.
Recruiter pro tip
UK Civil Service JDs use the Success Profiles framework. The most important section for applicants is the 'Behaviours' list — these are scored explicitly in interviews against published descriptions. Map your JD requirements to specific Success Profile behaviours to attract candidates who can articulate evidence against them.
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