Engagement Support Officer

Engagement Support Officer Apprenticeship – No.10 North

Employer: Cabinet Office
Location: Manchester, United Kingdom
Salary: £30,768 – £32,622 per year
Job Grade: Executive Officer
Contract: Apprenticeship (the advert also lists permanent, fixed-term, loan and secondment arrangements)
Working Pattern: Full-time, part-time, flexible working or job share
Number of Vacancies: 1
Reference Number: 487963
Closing Date: 12 November 2026, at 11:55 pm
Visa Sponsorship: Not stated in the job advert. Applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK and meet Civil Service nationality requirements.

About the Role

The Cabinet Office is recruiting an Engagement Support Officer Apprentice to join the Strategic Engagement team at No.10 North, the Prime Minister’s centre for devolution, place and local growth, based in Manchester.

The team works with local and regional government, businesses, civil society, academia and other partners to support government priorities and strengthen relationships across the UK.

This opportunity is suitable for an organised, enthusiastic individual looking to begin a career in stakeholder engagement, business administration or the Civil Service. The successful candidate will gain practical workplace experience while working towards an approved apprenticeship qualification, likely to be Level 3 Business Administration.

You will receive support to develop professional skills and gain exposure to senior leaders, ministers, policy teams and external partners.

Key Responsibilities

Engagement Coordination and Team Support

• Monitor the shared engagement inbox, record requests and help coordinate timely responses.
• Maintain stakeholder contact lists, engagement trackers, forward plans and records.
• Arrange meetings, roundtables, visits and events, including invitations, rooms, travel and technical requirements.
• Welcome stakeholders and provide professional support during senior-level engagements.

Briefing and Delivery Support

• Gather information from colleagues and external partners to support engagement activities.
• Prepare agendas, briefing packs, presentations and correspondence.
• Record discussions, decisions and agreed actions accurately.
• Follow up on deadlines and help prepare concise updates and reports.
• Capture stakeholder feedback to support the team’s work.

Stakeholder Engagement and Teamwork

• Build positive working relationships with representatives from government, business, academia and civil society.
• Work with policy, communications and operations teams to coordinate activities.
• Identify practical ways to improve engagement processes.
• Complete apprenticeship learning requirements and apply new skills in the workplace.

Essential Requirements

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• The ability to prioritise tasks, manage competing demands and meet deadlines.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Confidence engaging professionally with different audiences.
• The ability to build relationships and work effectively in a team.
• Problem-solving skills, curiosity and willingness to take initiative.
• Confidence using common IT applications or the ability to learn quickly.
• The ability to handle information responsibly and maintain confidentiality.
• Commitment to personal development and completing the apprenticeship.

Desirable Experience

The following experience would be beneficial but is not essential:

• Administrative, customer service, reception or office support work.
• Assisting with meetings, events, visits, workshops or community activities.
• Stakeholder engagement and relationship building.
• Responding to enquiries and communicating with different groups.
• Volunteering, student leadership or civic and community activities.
• Maintaining records, supporting projects or gathering feedback.

Applicants are not required to demonstrate every desirable skill to be considered.

Apprenticeship Training and Development

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to complete a work-based qualification, likely to be Level 3 Business Administration, funded by the department, provided they have not already completed a qualification at the same level in the same subject.

The apprenticeship offers practical experience in:

• Office and business administration.
• Governance and secretariat support.
• Project and delivery coordination.
• Stakeholder engagement, events and visits.
• Reporting and briefing.
• Supporting senior leaders and ministers.

The role can provide a foundation for future careers in business management, project delivery, operations, policy support and programme management across the Civil Service.

Off-the-job training will take place during normal working hours in line with apprenticeship requirements.

Apprenticeship Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must generally:

• Be aged 16 or over.
• Not be in full-time education.
• Live in England and have the right to live and work in the UK.
• Meet the apprenticeship programme’s entry requirements.
• Undertake only one apprenticeship at a time.
• Normally work at least 30 hours per week for the duration of the apprenticeship, although exceptions may be considered. A minimum of 16 hours may be possible in qualifying circumstances.
• Not have already completed a qualification at the same level in the same subject.

Applicants may be considered for an apprenticeship even if they already hold other qualifications. The department notes that successful candidates may be placed on a Level 3 programme regardless of their existing qualifications.

Important: The vacancy is based in Manchester, and the apprenticeship eligibility information requires applicants to live in England. Applicants must also satisfy the advertised Civil Service nationality requirements.

Salary and Benefits

The successful candidate will receive:

• Annual salary of £30,768 to £32,622.
• Civil Service Pension, with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• At least 25 days of annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to 30 days.
• Learning and development opportunities tailored to the role.
• Flexible working options.
• An inclusive working environment that promotes diversity and equal opportunities.
• Practical experience and support throughout the apprenticeship.

New entrants are expected to join at the minimum of the pay band.

Working Arrangements

The role is based in Manchester. Office for the Prime Minister policy requires staff to spend at least 60% of their working time at their principal workplace, although some roles may require up to 100% attendance. Official business at other locations also counts towards the attendance requirement.

Application and Selection Process

The vacancy uses the Civil Service Success Profiles framework and assesses behaviours and experience.

Applicants will need to submit:

1. CV – Maximum 800 words

Your CV should outline your career history, qualifications, responsibilities and achievements relevant to the essential criteria. Information beyond 800 words will not be assessed.

2. Statement of Suitability – Maximum 500 words

Explain why you want to undertake an apprenticeship and how your skills, qualities and experience make you suitable for the role.

3. Behavioural Statement – Maximum 250 words

Provide an example demonstrating the behaviour Communicating and Influencing.

All application examples must be truthful and based on your own experience.

Behaviours Assessed

The recruitment process will assess:

• Communicating and Influencing.
• Working Together.
• Managing a Quality Service.
• Delivering at Pace.

The application form specifically requests evidence for Communicating and Influencing.

Candidates who pass the sift may be invited to a behaviour-based panel interview. Interviews may take place face-to-face or by video. Sift and interview dates are to be confirmed.

If a large number of applications is received, an initial sift may focus on Communicating and Influencing.

Candidate Information Session

A candidate information session is scheduled for Monday, 9 November 2026, from 3:30 pm to 4:00 pm on Microsoft Teams.

Join the candidate information session

Security Checks

The role requires security clearance at SC level. The advert states that five years of UK residency during the previous five years would normally be needed, although this is not an absolute requirement. Additional checks may be necessary for applicants who have not lived in the UK for that period, potentially delaying or preventing clearance.

Successful candidates must also pass the required pre-employment screening and criminal record checks.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should review the eligibility requirements and prepare their CV, statement of suitability and behavioural statement before submitting an application.

Closing date: 12 November 2026 at 11:55 pm.

Contact Information

Job contact: No.10 Recruitment Team
Email: No10Recruitment@no10.gov.uk

Recruitment team: Government Recruitment Service
Email: menurecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

For reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the recruitment team as early as possible before the closing date.

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