FAQs

Applications

1. I am already employed in a government department. Can I apply for the scheme?: Yes, the scheme is open to all graduate applicants meeting the eligibility requirements listed on the application form. If you are successful, you may be required to move to another department. You should be aware that you will be competing in open competition with applicants from outside the Civil Service, and if you are successful you will be offered a position and enter the scheme on the same terms, including grade and salary, as external applicants.
2. Is there an age limit on applications?: No, the scheme is open to any applicant meeting the eligibility requirements. All applications will be considered equally.
3. Who can I contact if I have any questions about the scheme?: If you have any queries relating to this post, please contact the OGC Service Desk on 0845 000 4999 who will be able to assist with your enquiry. Alternatively you may email servicedesk@ogc.gsi.gov.uk with any questions you may have.
4. I am disabled. How will this affect my application and employment?: All applications will be considered equally. Disabled applicants will be given the opportunity of applying under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you are successful, any disability will be taken into account when allocating you to work assignments.
5. What counts as a "business-related" degree?: Broadly, any degree covering or including accounting, business studies, economics, finance, government, HR, law, management, marketing, politics, procurement, or business/ management in association with another topic (such as IT, Maths, Engineering, languages). If you are in doubt, contact the OGC Service Desk on 0845 000 4999.
6. I am currently resident outside the UK. Can I apply for the scheme?: Yes, you can apply from outside the UK, but you must meet the nationality requirements for application as set out below, and you must be available to attend the Assessment Centre in London if required.
7. What are the nationality requirements for applying?: The Civil Service Nationality Rules place a restriction on which nationalities can work for the UK Civil Service. Currently only nationals from the following countries (or associations of countries) are generally eligible for employment in the Civil Service: the United Kingdom (and British protected persons), the Republic of Ireland, the Commonwealth, the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland and Turkey. Certain family members of EEA, Swiss and Turkish nationals are also eligible regardless of their nationality. There are certain very limited exceptions to the general prohibition on the employment of nationals from other countries. Additional restrictions apply in relation to certain sensitive Civil Service posts.

NOTE: Before appointing a candidate, departments and agencies must be satisfied that the individual concerned can work legally in the United Kingdom.

If you are in any doubt whether your application can be accepted, please contact the OGC Service Desk on 0845 000 4999. You can also contact the Home Office nationality call centre on 0845 010 5200, or the work permit customer contact centre on 0114 207 4074.

Assessment Centre

8. Must I attend the Assessment Centre?: Yes, if you reach that point in the assessment procedure; the Assessment Centre is an essential component of the selection process. You will be given a choice of dates for attendance. The Assessment Centres will be held in Central London in June/July 2008 (dates not yet confirmed). If you are invited to the Assessment Centre and do not attend, your application will be terminated.
9. Will OGC pay my travel expenses to attend the Assessment Centre?: Travel within the UK and (where justified) accommodation expenses, for applicants travelling from outside London, will be paid by OGC.
10. What activities will I be involved in at the Assessment Centre?: Assessment Centre activities will include a group activity, a role-play, a report-writing exercise, tests of verbal and numerical reasoning, and an interview. You will be fully briefed at the Assessment Centre on what is expected of you.
11. If I pass the Assessment Centre will I be guaranteed a job offer?: If there are more successful applicants than there are positions available in the participating departments, it will not be possible to offer all such applicants a job.

Salaries and Promotions

12. Why is a range of salaries quoted for entry to the scheme? What will determine my starting salary?: Salaries will vary because the Terms and Conditions of employment differ between departments, and also the salary scales for London-based civil servants are typically higher than for those based in the regions. If you are successful your offer of employment will come from one of the participating departments, based on their own Terms and Conditions, and will include a firm offer of starting salary.
13. What are my promotion prospects on the scheme?: You will enter the scheme at EO (Executive Officer) level or equivalent. At the end of your two years in the scheme it is expected that you will be promoted to HEO (Higher Executive Officer) level or equivalent, as long as you have demonstrated an acceptable standard of performance and achievement, and there are suitable posts available. You will be subject to the normal Promotion Board procedures in your department.
14. I have some previous work experience in procurement. Will this affect my starting salary in the scheme?: Previous employment experience, in procurement or elsewhere, will not be taken into account in your initial salary offer. All trainees entering the scheme will be required to go through the same training and work experience stages in the scheme.

Employment

15. Where will I be based? Can I choose which department and geographical area I want to work in?: You will be invited to express your preference for home department and geographical location. We will try to accommodate your preferences when job offers are made by the departments, but we cannot promise that we will meet your first choice of department; it is more likely that we will meet your requirements for geographical location.
16. Will OGC or my department pay relocation expenses when I join the scheme?: No, relocation expenses will not be paid on joining.
17. Must I be prepared to work away from home if I join the scheme?: Yes, it is possible that your work assignments in your home department, and more likely when you are on secondment to other departments as part of the scheme, will require you to spend some time away from home.
18. What happens at the end of the two years in the scheme?: When you graduate from the scheme it is expected that you will be promoted and will continue to work within procurement in your home department, and take on additional responsibilities. If, as expected, you have achieved the CIPS Graduate Diploma, you will be eligible for award of full membership of CIPS (the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply) after a further period of relevant work experience.
19. Does the scheme include departments in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?: No, the GPGS does not include departments in the devolved administrations.

Learning and Development

20. Must I commit to the full training programme on the scheme?: Yes, all members of the scheme will be required to commit to the full training programme.
21. I already have the Certificate of Competence/ CIPS Graduate Diploma/ MCIPS. Can I apply for the scheme?: The Government Procurement Graduate Scheme is a learning and development scheme which takes all members through the Certificate of Competence and the CIPS Graduate Diploma. If you have already achieved these or similar qualifications you would not benefit fully from the scheme, and OGC would be paying for something you have already obtained; in these circumstances your application will not be accepted. You may wish to consider other entry routes into working in procurement in government.
22. What happens if I miss some training events or examinations?: Arrangements will be made for you to retake the course module or the examination. If you miss or fail a number of course modules, or are absent without good cause, your membership of the scheme may be reviewed.
23. Will I be given time off to study?: Your department will give you time off to attend all the training courses, examinations and workshops organised by OGC for members of the scheme.