WHO WE ARE

We are the Government Digital Service (GDS) that leads the Government Digital and Data profession for government. We put the right conditions in place to achieve digital, data and technology transformation at scale by working with departments, and other government functions like commercial, project delivery and security professionals.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Critical thinking skills, with the ability to analyse complex information, challenge assumptions
• Proficient in using workforce analytics, benchmarking data and user research
• Able to communicate complex pay and reward strategies

SELECTION PROCESS DETAILS

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.
After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Numerical If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application.
Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 16th August 2025 at 23:55pm If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Please use your personal statement (in no more than 750 words) to clearly detail and evidence your experience, skills and knowledge for the following 3 criteria:

• Experience supporting the design and delivery of pay and reward initiatives or projects. (Lead)
• Proven knowledge and skills to help teams develop and deliver effective plans in relation to pay and reward strategies.
• Experience using external pay benchmarking tools and data analysis to support and shape reward strategies

Please note - the CV incorporated into the application form is for information purposes only and will not be scored.
Submitted applications will be sifted on Personal Statement.
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
The interview will consist of behaviour, technical and strength-based questions.
To help you to prepare for your interview, for this campaign behaviour questions will be shared in advance of interview if you are successful at sift stage. These questions should be treated as confidential and should not be shared.
The interview panel may ask you other questions which will not be shared with you in advance, including any follow-up questions, and other elements listed in the job advert, for example, experience, abilities, strengths and technical skills. The panel will be looking for examples of your own work, experience, and ability so do try and avoid using AI written answers without any human oversight.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

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)
• 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

WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR:

• Delivering the cross-government Blueprint for modern digital government.
• Digital, Data and Technology Strategy and Standards, like the Technology Code of Practice, the Service Standard and Open Standards
• Cross-government performance and assurance, including Spend Controls
• Government Digital and Data Capability Framework Join the Strategic Workforce and Capability Division, where our mission is to ensure the government possesses the necessary talent to drive digital transformation and overcome the challenges ahead. We’re dedicated to enhancing the government’s capacity to attract, recruit, nurture, and retain top tier digital and data professionals.
  As part of the team, you will help shape the future of digital strategy and capabilities, providing vital insights that support cross departmental policies, standards, and strategies.
  We’re entrusted with devising strategies and delivering results for a community of 30,000+ digital innovators, aspiring talent, and the broader civil service. Our commitment extends to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and dynamic culture where individuals thrive and excel.

THE ROLE AND OUR TEAM

As the Senior Pay and Reward Officer, you will help organisations across government to adopt and implement the Digital and Data Pay Framework.
This is a delivery role, directly supporting government ambitions to broaden Government Digital and Data workforce. You will work closely with capability colleagues in the Government Digital Service, as well colleagues across government including but not exclusively HM Treasury and Cabinet Office.
You’ll gain strategic overview experience in a high profile area helping to attract and retain a growing profession. This opportunity will also enable you to make real change and the opportunity to create new ways of working and processes for the government.
This role requires both forward thinking and numeracy, while operating at pace for multiple and complex stakeholders. You will be working across government on Ministerial priorities, this is high profile and exciting work.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Help develop and improve pay and reward for the Government’s Digital and Data profession of over 25,000 by making sure our pay is competitive, and our arrangements are widely understood and adopted.
  Market pay analysis to inform the drafting of new 2025 business cases on:
  Senior Civil Service roles
  Cyber roles (not cyber security roles)

Current Government Digital and Data roles

• Capture and analysis of UK employment practice on bonuses and non-pay benefits to help build a profession-led reward approach for a future business case.
• Reviewing and analysing departments’ business cases to adopt, or extend, the pay framework focusing on

Spreadsheet analysis of department’s data, and savings estimates

• Template completion
• Advising and supporting departments Implementation preparation
• Advising and supporting new adopting departments on capability assessment
• Building a GDS library of adopting departments documentation and agreements connected to framework implementation.
• Upkeep and own management information related to pay and reward across the GDD profession.
• Support the pay and reward lead as necessary, e.g. deputise at meetings.