Department of Health Higher Executive Officer (HEO) roles

Hi purple-girl! I've also applied, although have yet to hear anything past the initial competency application form and behavioural/psychometric test. Always good to chat with other applicants - I'm sure there are others around too.

Do you know when the roles were listed? I discovered the ad with only a week to go so it was quite hectic trying to complete the application in time.

Yeah, I've not heard anything since the test either, I'm tempted to email tomorrow asking for an approximate time when we're likely to hear and when interviews are likely to be. I'm hoping they're flexible on start dates too as I'm not available until September...

I apparently registered 11 days before the application was due and I think I registered fairly soon after it cropped up on Milkround. The application form took ages though, I'm hoping it put off a lot of potential candidates! I wonder how many people applied...

Usually application sifts don't take longer than a week, but I have heard the civil service process can be a bit longer. It's always worth asking about dates though; I was quite surprised there wasn't any indication in the job advert. The application form was very long, it was my first time filling in such a comprehensive competency profile. I've know they use similar frameworks in Department's ALBs though - NHS England, PHE etc. I found it quite interesting though to actually think and find an example for each sub-competency!

If you're currently studying towards your postgrad degree then I expect there will be some flexibility around start dates. Ideally I'd be looking to start in September too, as I would like to wrap up some current research and policy projects (thus not leaving my current employer in the lurch).

Hopefully we'll hear soon!

Thanks - it will be good to have some idea of dates.

Regarding the competency examples, one of the benefits of the civil service competency framework is that it allows for a wide range of experiences and backgrounds. As long as you follow the STAR approach and make sure to clearly explain the link between your examples and the required competency then you should be absolutely fine. I've got a few years of professional experience under my belt, but even I used one or two university examples

You will here w/c 9th if your succesful, tests to take place 16-27th june

Im glad others are in the same boat! Good to know we will hear next week.

Good to know we can expect to hear next week at some point. I'm also applying for the DH SEO secondment, so I'm hoping I'll make it to the assessment stage for at least one of the two!

I've also applied for the HEO, good to know we'll hear soon. Hopefully my competencies were strong enough.

SEO secondment, that sounds good! Are you currently with the CS or DH?

No, I currently work as a policy adviser at a prominent health think-tank but spend a lot of time working collaboratively with the Department of Health and its various arms length bodies. Ideally I would prefer to go in at SEO level, but the work of the DH is so interesting and I would be happy with whatever role is available.

They offer an SEO secondment programme of up to 2 years to people working outside the civil service. It's a good chance to get your feet under the table at a higher level, but from what I hear involves a lot of travel back and forth between Leeds and London (as it's in the NHS Policy Unit).