Digital Service Assessor

Help shape better digital services for millions of people.

As a Digital Service Assessor in DWP’s Service Standard Assessment and Assurance Team, you will lead independent, evidence-based assessments that help make sure services are accessible, sustainable, secure and focused on genuine user needs.

Working with multidisciplinary specialists and senior stakeholders, you will use sound judgement to bring together complex evidence, chair constructive conversations, manage disagreement, make difficult decisions and communicate clear outcomes that support service improvement and governance decisions.

You will gain broad exposure across DWP’s digital portfolio, build influential networks and develop highly transferable skills in assurance, leadership, decision-making and communication, while being supported by experienced colleagues to deepen your knowledge of the Government Service Standard and become a trusted critical friend to service teams.

Subject to eligibility, programme availability and business need, you may also have the opportunity to join the assessor accreditation programme and work towards the Level 5 Diploma in Service Standard Assessor Accreditation, certificated by NCFE, an Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation. This will support your professional development within the assessor profession.

• Provide quality assurance and independent review by planning and conducting independent reviews, assessments, audits or other assurance activity across complex digital services and programmes. You will evaluate evidence, assess compliance with the Government Service Standard and relevant controls, identify and report findings and risks, ensure agreed actions are progressed, and use recurring issues to improve assurance methods.
• Lead assessments from preparation to outcome, creating a supportive environment in which service teams can present evidence and respond to constructive challenge.
• Apply strong analytical skills and sound judgement to evaluate complex or incomplete evidence, determine how effectively services meet the Government Service Standard, and make impartial, evidence-based decisions and recommendations.
• Communicate, influence and challenge constructively by leading structured discussions, bringing together different professional perspectives, managing disagreement and making difficult decisions when required. You will explain assessment findings clearly and fairly to service teams, senior stakeholders and governance forums to reach a clear outcome.
• Plan and organise assessment activity, managing competing priorities and deadlines while producing clear, concise reports and recommendations that support progression through the service lifecycle.
• Act as a trusted critical friend, building effective relationships and providing practical advice before and after assessment so teams can strengthen their evidence, address risks and improve outcomes for users.
• Apply strategic awareness by aligning assessment activity with wider organisational priorities, recognising emerging issues and trends, and sharing knowledge to support the diverse needs of stakeholders.
• Champion quality and capability by delivering guidance or learning sessions, sharing good practice and helping colleagues embed the Service Standard throughout delivery.
• Build an influential network across DWP, Arm’s Length Bodies and the wider cross-government assessor community, learning from different services and contributing to the continuous improvement of assurance methods.
• Learning and development: You will be supported to build your knowledge of the Government Service Standard and develop your assessment practice. Subject to eligibility, programme availability and business need, you may have the opportunity to join the assessor accreditation programme and work towards the Level 5 Diploma in Service Standard Assessor Accreditation, certificated by NCFE, an Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation. Reasonable adjustments and accessible learning support will be available throughout the programme where required, so participants can engage fully with the learning and assessment activities.

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) (opens in a new window)
• 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 (opens in a new window)

Stage 1: Application

Your application will consist of three parts:

1. A Personal Details application form.

2. Employment history - this should contain your work experience and any skills, qualifications and accomplishments relevant to the jobs you have completed based on the essential criteria below.

3. Personal statement - up to 750 words. This statement should be used to provide examples of how you meet the essential criteria below:

• Lead criterion - Experience of planning and conducting independent reviews, assessments, audits or other assurance activity, with the ability to evaluate evidence, assess compliance and controls, identify and report risks, and ensure agreed actions are progressed.
• Strong analytical skills and sound judgement, with experience of evaluating complex or incomplete evidence and making impartial, evidence-based decisions and recommendations.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with experience of leading structured discussions, bringing together different professional perspectives, constructively challenging stakeholders, managing disagreement and making difficult decisions to reach a clear outcome.

Ensure that all examples provided in your statement are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. If you choose to use gen-AI to support your statement, you must follow the guidelines outlined in the Artificial intelligence and recruitment guide.

The sift panel will use the information in your employment history and personal statement to assess your experience, skills and knowledge against the essential criteria.

You will be provided with one combined overall assessment score for both your CV and Personal Statement.

An initial sift may be conducted using the lead criterion stated above. Candidates who pass the initial sift will progress to a full sift.

For Hints and Tips on completing your application visit Applying for jobs at DWP Digital.

Important Information

• You will be asked to complete your employment history. Any information that you would customarily share on a CV should therefore be entered onto the application form.
• Personal details that could be used to identify you including your name, contact details and address must be removed for your application to be considered.
• If your employment history/personal statement contains any personal details your application will be withdrawn.

Stage 2: Interview

If you’re successful at sift stage you will be invited to a video interview via Microsoft Teams. There, you will be assessed against the experiences listed below:

• Experience of planning and conducting independent reviews, assessments, audits or other assurance activity, with the ability to evaluate evidence, assess compliance and controls, identify and report risks, and ensure agreed actions are progressed.
• Strong analytical skills and sound judgement, with experience of evaluating complex or incomplete evidence and making impartial, evidence-based decisions and recommendations.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with experience of leading structured discussions, bringing together different professional perspectives, constructively challenging stakeholders, managing disagreement and making difficult decisions to reach a clear outcome.
• Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Proven ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues, specialists and stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong strategic awareness, with the ability to align activities with wider organisational priorities, recognise emerging issues and trends, and share knowledge that supports stakeholder needs.

You will also be asked to do a 5-minute presentation. The presentation should focus on the following:

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

Interviews will take place from mid December 2026. Sift and Interview dates to be confirmed.

Other information:

If high application volumes are received, the benchmark for candidates to proceed to the next stage may be raised. In line with our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS), we aim to advance all candidates applying under the DCS who meet the minimum standard. However, we may only progress those candidates who best meet the required standards.

All successful candidates and those placed on reserve will be posted in merit list order by location.

Please note that for these vacancies we recommend that applicants seek specialist advice on their eligibility for Visa Sponsorship (if applicable) when considering whether to apply for any role. We can never guarantee sponsorship, requests will be considered in line with the relevant DWP guidance and Home Office policy in place at the time.

Further Information​

At the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.

Find out more about working for DWP on the DWP Careers Hub.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

If you are placed on a reserve list but we cannot immediately offer you a post, please note:

• If you are later offered the role you applied for, in a location you have expressed a preference for, and you decline the offer or are unable to take up the post within a reasonable timeframe you will be withdrawn from the campaign and removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances (e.g. a contractual Part Time Working Pattern cannot be accommodated in the initial role offered or in cases of serious ill health).
• If DWP makes an offer of an alternative role or location to that which you originally applied for, and you decline that offer, you will be able to remain on the reserve list.

Disability Confident Scheme

If high application volumes are received, the benchmark for candidates to proceed to the next stage may be raised. In line with our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS), we aim to advance all candidates applying under the DCS who meet the minimum standard. However, we may only progress those candidates who best meet the required standards.

Reasonable Adjustments

We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should contact the Government Recruitment Service via DWPRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Reasonable Adjustments” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Integrity, plagiarism and Civil Service Principles

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles.

Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words.

Examples of plagiarism can include:

• Presenting the work, ideas and experience of others as your own
• Copying content or answers from an online or published source that is not your own

Disclosure and Barring Service and Internal Fraud Database Checks

To process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check will be carried out.

Important

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

Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. If you are a current employee and are successful you must be able to be released from your current post within four weeks.

Those on protected TUPE/ COSoP terms and conditions applying on promotion or voluntary permanent level move will adopt DWP’s Terms and Conditions and this may have a different impact on pay and allowances. Please review this prior to acceptance of a role.

Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing. Accepting a post will be taken to mean acceptance of revised terms & conditions.

Civil Servants applying on promotion will usually be appointed to the salary minimum or within 10% of existing salary.

Any move to DWP from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may, however, be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at the Childcare Choices Website.

For further information on reasonable adjustments, terms and conditions and how we recruit visit the How we recruit page.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.