About the job

Job summary

The Government Actuary’s Department (GAD) is a well-established organisation in the heart of government which uses statistical analysis and probabilistic financial models to assess a wide range of risks facing the public sector.  Using these techniques, we aim to enhance the stewardship of public sector finances by providing expert advice to government departments in areas including contingent risks, insurance, pensions, and social security.

You can find out more about GAD, our work, the open positions, and our assessment process in the following recruitment pack and YouTube video:

• GAD Trainee Actuary Recruitment Pack - March 2024 (publishing.service.gov.uk)
• Actuaries in government - YouTube

Job description

You will be a key member of one of the following GAD teams:

The Specialist Actuarial Team advises a wide range of clients on pensions and social security across the public sector:

• Advises government on commitments to funded schemes under the Pensions Act 2004, including serving as Scheme Actuary for a range of schemes linked to the public sector
• Advises government on the development of pension policies for both the public and private sector, including setting the cost control mechanism for public service pensions and reviewing the State Pension age
• Advises public sector bodies on the strategic use of pensions and total reward within their workforce offering
• Helps UK government (and those overseas) to manage the near- and long-term financing of social security funds, including our annual report on the National Insurance Fund
• Facilitates the treatment of pensions with compulsory staff transfers of employment 

The Analytical Solutions Team provides a central hub of analytical expertise for GAD, supporting our client-facing teams in delivering high-quality analysis and advice:

• Produce actuarial analysis to inform GAD’s advice to government departments, across areas of insurance, investment, pensions and risk.
• Work across a wide and growing range of analytical areas including funded and unfunded pensions, social security, as well as bespoke analysis and model building for Government.
• Work across a wide and growing range of analytical areas including funded and unfunded pensions, social security, as well as bespoke analysis and model building for Government.
• Serves as a platform for innovation and change within GAD, exploiting new tools and techniques to drive improvement.

You will be placed in a team based on GAD’s business needs and your work experience to date. You may rotate through various teams during your career in order to further develop your skills and support GAD’s business needs.

Throughout your work you will be instrumental in providing support to actuaries on all aspects of actuarial work.

Person specification

As a part qualified actuary your responsibilities will vary depending on the team in which you are placed but will include:

1. Client management: To have an excellent understanding of GAD’s clients, their needs and how GAD can help through advice and analysis.
2. Quality assurance: Ensure the accuracy and reliability of any analysis and draft advice provided to the actuary.
3. Project management: Effectively manage the work of you and your colleagues, ensuring that advice is delivered to budget and within deadlines.
4. Communication: Support actuaries in drafting client communications, attending client meetings and presenting to clients and other stakeholders.
5. Development of people: Proactively develop colleagues by providing on the job training and support and getting involved in line management where there are opportunities available.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,771, Government Actuary's Department contributes £12,088 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Technical skills.

Application deadline: 1200 hrs on 08 April 2024
Shortlisting: w/c 08 April 2024
Interviews: w/c 22 April 2024
Interview location: In office - London, E14 4PU

The recruitment process consists of one interview before the final decision is made. If required, a further second interview may be conducted.

Please apply via our recruitment portal below.

As part of the application form process, please submit your CV and supporting statement. Please do not email your CV outside of this process as it will not be accepted.

Shortlisting criteria is based on the Person Specification as set out in the Assessment Criteria section of the Job Description. Please ensure you provide examples of how you meet the Assessment Criteria; a strong application will also demonstrate that you meet the required criteria that are identified as key for this role. Applications will be shortlisted in line with the essential criteria for the role. Behaviours will be assessed at interview stage. Candidates who are successful at shortlist will be contacted as soon as possible and advised of the interview process and assessment (exact times and dates will also be confirmed).

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

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) (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)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.