About the job

Job summary

Do you care about the safety of products and want to protect people and places? Can we use your skills, knowledge and experience to enable UK business to thrive? If the answer is yes, then we would like to hear from you!  

We are the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), part of the Department for Business & Trade (Previously the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy). We are here for the purpose of making regulation work to deliver real world impact. Regulation is a powerful Government tool to address market failures, influence behaviour and promote positive action. Crafted and delivered well, regulation can be an enabler of growth, innovation and efficiency.  

Since early 2018 we have been building a positive and creative team that enjoys a position of influence and respect within an organisation that continues to grow, recently with the addition of construction products regulation.  

Our primary purpose is to protect people and places from product-related harm, ensuring consumers and businesses can buy and sell products with confidence.  

Further information can be found on our website here  

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. We embrace diversity and promote equality of opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (DCS) for people with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.  

We are Inclusive  

We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible and recognise how important inclusivity is to achieve the best outcomes. We hope to attract applications from all underrepresented groups.  

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation if required to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. 

Job description

About the Team 

We are the OPSS Enforcement Team 
 
We are responsible for ensuring that businesses follow and comply with a range of regulations. Some of our teams help ensure the products that people buy are safe. 

Some help to protect the environment. We do this by supporting businesses and making sure they have the information they need to make themselves compliant and, where needed, taking enforcement action against non-compliance. Our work helps to protect people and places.  
 
As a Regulatory Compliance Officer, you will get to work on three different teams, giving you a range of experiences to draw on no matter what you focus on in the future. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a dynamic and varied role as part of a high-profile national regulator. 
 
You will be part of our Apprenticeship Programme, studying for a Level 4 Regulatory Compliance Officer apprenticeship qualification. This is equivalent to the first year of a University Degree. Our apprentices are our future enforcement officers and leaders. Whether you are at the start of your career, or are an experienced professional looking for something new to move your career forward, we believe in supporting people to develop and grow. 

Work with businesses to help them understand the regulations that apply to them and give them advice and support. 

• Check products and businesses to see if they are compliant with the relevant regulations and, if not, assess the level of risk of harm to people or place to decide what the best course of action will be. You might do this in response to an issue or complaint, or as part of a project looking at a type of product or business area.
• Support enforcement cases. This means investigating businesses and products we believe are not compliant with the relevant regulations, and taking enforcement action where necessary, following the required processes and procedures.
• Communicate with businesses, and our partner organisations, to solve problems and resolve any issues of non-compliance. 
• Read and understand written documents and data and write reports following inspections or projects.
• Work with your colleagues in Enforcement Teams and across the Office for Product Safety and Standards, to share information and find ways to increase our impact.
• Learn and develop the skills you need to be an effective regulator through the Apprenticeship and the Continuing Professional Development we offer to our officers. 

Person specification

Essential Criteria: 

We want to hear from you if you have the qualities below!  

• You want to build a career in regulation.   
• You are able to challenge. 
• You are naturally curious. 
• You are not intimidated by complex technical information, such as legislation and technical product information, and can understand and work with them. 
• You are able to speak confidently and handle difficult conversations. 
• You are able to work as part of a team to share knowledge and skills, and to achieve team goals. 
• You can work at pace to tight deadlines, and manage multiple workstreams. 
• You are detailed focused and will make sure all appropriate procedures are followed correctly, but you are also able to think creatively and propose new ways to achieve our aims.  
• You are happy to undertake any training which will enable you to develop as an excellent regulator. 
• You are proficient with Microsoft office, and able to learn to use other digital tools as needed. 
• You meet the eligibility requirements for the apprenticeship. 
• A driving licence is likely to be necessary to complete some aspects of the roles. You either need to have a full driving licence or be working towards getting one. 
• We are looking for diverse candidates including school leavers, university graduates, and people seeking a career change. Experience in an office environment is not required.  

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £27,329, Department for Business and Trade contributes £7,378 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 Experience.

Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.

Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.

To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:  

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Provide employment history that relates to the essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages.
• A Personal Statement  explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential criteria. In your Personal Statement, please explain your motivation for applying for this role and the extent to which you satisfy the essential and desirable requirements of the role. Maximum word count of 750 words.

After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Numerical Test, Civil Service Verbal Test and Civil Service Judgement Test. If you successfully pass the tests, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application. 

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23.55 on 06/02/2024. If you fail to complete the online tests before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks after the closing date though this is subject to change.  

In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.  

Those successful in gaining an interview will be required to complete a written exercise prior to their interview. Details of this will be shared near to the time.

Who can start an apprenticeship

To start an apprenticeship, you’ll need to be:

• 16 or over
• living in England
• not in full-time education

You can apply for an apprenticeship while you’re still at school but you’ll need to be 16 or over by the end of the summer holidays to start the apprenticeship. Please note if successful you must be 16 or over to undergo the relevant security checks. 

Reasonable Adjustments

We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment:

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.

Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service dbtrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Candidate Support:

You may want to join a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.  

Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department.

Further Information:

• A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences. 
• Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.
• The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases. 
• New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. 
• 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. Any applicant who has 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. 
• Terms and Conditions are attached.  Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you. 
• Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.

In order 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.

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. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.