Digital Service Assessor

Digital Service Assessor – Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

Salary: £45,225 – £47,362 per year
Location: Birmingham, Blackpool, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle or Sheffield
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible Working or Job Share
Job Grade: Senior Executive Officer (SEO)
Department: Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) – Digital
Number of Vacancies: 1
Reference Number: 487836
Closing Date: Sunday, 22 November 2026 at 11:55 pm
Visa Sponsorship: Not guaranteed. Sponsorship requests will be considered in line with DWP guidance and Home Office policy. Applicants should seek specialist advice about their eligibility before applying.

Job Overview

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is recruiting a Digital Service Assessor to join its Service Standard Assessment and Assurance Team.

This is an opportunity to help improve digital services used by millions of people across the UK.

The successful candidate will lead independent, evidence-based assessments to ensure digital services are accessible, secure, sustainable and focused on users’ needs.

You will work with multidisciplinary specialists, senior stakeholders and service teams, evaluating evidence, identifying risks, making recommendations and supporting improvements across DWP’s digital services.

The role also offers opportunities to develop professional skills in assurance, leadership, decision-making and communication. Subject to eligibility, programme availability and business needs, you may have the opportunity to work towards a Level 5 Diploma in Service Standard Assessor Accreditation, certificated by NCFE.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and lead independent assessments, reviews, audits and assurance activities across complex digital services.
• Evaluate evidence and assess compliance with the Government Service Standard and relevant controls.
• Identify risks, report findings and ensure agreed improvement actions are progressed.
• Lead structured assessment discussions and encourage constructive engagement with service teams.
• Make impartial, evidence-based decisions and recommendations.
• Communicate assessment outcomes clearly to senior stakeholders and governance forums.
• Manage competing priorities, assessment schedules and deadlines.
• Build effective working relationships with specialists, colleagues and stakeholders.
• Provide practical guidance to help teams improve their digital services.
• Share good practice and deliver learning sessions to strengthen assessment capabilities.

Essential Experience and Skills

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Experience planning and conducting independent reviews, assessments, audits or other assurance activities.
• Ability to evaluate evidence, assess compliance, identify risks and ensure agreed actions are completed.
• Strong analytical skills and sound judgement when making evidence-based decisions.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Experience leading discussions, constructively challenging stakeholders and managing disagreements.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues, specialists and senior stakeholders.
• Strategic awareness and the ability to recognise emerging issues and organisational priorities.

Location and Hybrid Working

The position is available in the following locations:

• Birmingham
• Blackpool
• Leeds
• Manchester
• Newcastle
• Sheffield

Hybrid working may be available, with employees normally required to spend at least 60% of their contracted working hours in their DWP office.

Location notes:

• Newcastle-based employees will initially work at Benton Park View before moving to 1 Pilgrim Place in Newcastle city centre by the end of 2027.
• Sheffield employees based at King’s Court will move to 1 West Bar by early 2028.

Travel to other DWP locations may be required for assessment and stakeholder activities.

Salary and Benefits

In addition to the annual salary, successful applicants will receive access to a comprehensive Civil Service benefits package, including:

• Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• At least 25 days of annual leave, increasing to 30 days with service.
• Nine days of public and privilege leave.
• Flexible working arrangements, including flexi-time and compressed hours.
• Interest-free season ticket loans.
• Cycle to Work scheme and employee discounts.
• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support.
• Enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after one year of continuous service.
• Funded training, professional qualifications, coaching and mentoring.
• Opportunities to join professional and staff networks.

Training and Professional Development

Successful candidates will receive support to develop their knowledge of the Government Service Standard and strengthen their assessment skills.

Subject to eligibility, programme availability and business needs, there may be an opportunity to join the assessor accreditation programme and work towards the Level 5 Diploma in Service Standard Assessor Accreditation, certificated by NCFE.

Application and Selection Process

Stage 1: Application

Applicants must submit:

• A personal details application form.
• Employment history outlining relevant work experience, skills, qualifications and achievements.
• A personal statement of up to 750 words demonstrating how they meet the essential criteria.

The lead assessment criterion is experience of planning and conducting independent reviews, assessments, audits or other assurance activities.

The selection panel will assess applicants using their employment history and personal statement. An initial sift may be conducted against the lead criterion before a full sift.

Important: Applicants must remove their name, contact details, address and other identifying personal information from their employment history and personal statement. Applications containing personal identifying details in these sections may be withdrawn.

Stage 2: Interview

Successful candidates will be invited to a video interview through Microsoft Teams.

The interview will assess experience in assurance, analytical decision-making, communication, stakeholder management, planning, organisation and strategic awareness.

Candidates will also be required to deliver a five-minute presentation on:

From Assessment to Improvement: How can we turn Service Standard assessment findings into constructive action that leads to meaningful and sustainable service improvement?

Interviews are expected to take place from mid-December 2026. Sift and interview dates are to be confirmed.

Important Information About Visa Sponsorship

DWP cannot guarantee visa sponsorship for this vacancy.

Requests will be considered in line with the department’s relevant guidance and Home Office policy at the time. Applicants who may require sponsorship are advised to seek specialist advice about their eligibility before applying.

The vacancy is also subject to Civil Service nationality and right-to-work requirements.

Additional Information

• A reserve list may be held for six months.
• Successful candidates and reserve-listed applicants will be ranked by merit and location.
• Basic criminal record and security checks will be required.
• Successful applicants will also undergo an Internal Fraud Database check.
• Reasonable adjustments are available for applicants who require additional support during recruitment.

Contact Information

Job Contact: Natalie Selby
Email: Natalie.selby1@dwp.gov.uk

Recruitment Team:
digitalrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their applications through the official Civil Service Jobs website before the closing deadline.

Closing Date: Sunday, 22 November 2026 at 11:55 pm.

Reference Number: 487836