Administration Officer

• Job grade: Administrative Officer
• Contract type: Permanent
• Type of role: Administration / Corporate Support
• Working pattern: Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
• Number of jobs available: 3

Location

Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Exeter, Ipswich, Leeds, London (Croydon & Stratford) Manchester, Newcastle, and Nottingham.

About the job

Job summary

About Us

We help the UK move forward, faster.

For nearly 150 years, we've protected the UK economy with deep expertise and rigour, building the confidence that helps businesses access lending, investment and opportunity.

We help people deal with personal insolvency. We make statutory redundancy payments when insolvent employers can't. We investigate director conduct and take action where it's needed.

And right now, we're changing how we do all of this, becoming faster, more digitally driven, and more focused on stopping problems before they escalate.

More than 2,000 of us work in offices across England, Scotland and Wales. It might be time for you to join us.

The Role

We're looking for an Administration Officer who wants more than a job that ticks boxes.

As an Administration Officer, you will provide accurate and timely administrative support, helping the Insolvency Service deliver effective services for colleagues and customers. This helps us to create a modern, sustainable Insolvency Service by keeping information well managed, work moving and teams supported to deliver their objectives.

This is a role for someone who wants to think bigger, challenge the way things have always been done, and take ownership of the outcomes that matter.

We offer full-time, part-time, job share, and flexible working. We invest in your development and give our people the space to grow, take ownership, and make decisions.

Job description

You will join a team within the Insolvency Service that supports the delivery of our services and wider organisational objectives. You will work with colleagues, customers, and other people involved in your team's work to provide an efficient and professional service, taking responsibility for assigned administrative work, and the accurate handling of information.

This campaign covers Administration Officer roles across a range of teams and operating groups. Depending on where you are appointed, your work may involve supporting customers, administering casework or managing information that supports operational or specialist services. Your specific duties and working environment will vary, but each role contributes to the effective running of the agency.

This position will help you develop transferable skills that you can apply across different roles and career levels.

What you’ll do (Responsibilties)

As an Administration Officer, you will:

• deliver administrative support to help your team meet its objectives and provide an accurate, timely and professional service

• process information and documentation accurately to support the smooth progress of your team's work

• maintain records, systems and correspondence in line with data protection requirements, so information and enquiries are handled accurately, securely and on time

• prioritise and take ownership of assigned work to meet agreed deadlines and respond to changing team needs

• make routine decisions within established guidance to keep work moving and resolve straightforward issues

• work collaboratively with colleagues, customers and others involved in your work to share information, coordinate activity and maintain service standards

In their own words

“I provide timely support, maintain accurate information, and help to deliver a high-quality service. It is rewarding to know that my work contributes to the wider success of the organisation, which gives me a real sense of purpose and achievement.” – Antoinette, Administration Officer

Person specification

To be successful in this role, you will need to demonstrate that you can:

• organise and prioritise your workload, pay close attention to detail and adapt to changing priorities to complete accurate, high-quality work within agreed deadlines

• understand the needs of colleagues and customers and communicate clearly in writing and verbally to provide a helpful and professional service

• identify improvements to everyday administrative tasks and explain how they could make work easier or improve the service

• build effective working relationships and work collaboratively with colleagues and others to achieve shared goals

• assess information carefully, use initiative to resolve routine problems within guidance and recognise when to seek advice or refer a decision

• work independently, take responsibility for completing your tasks and use computer systems, including Microsoft Office applications, to support your work, or be willing to learn

You may be required to travel occasionally to attend meetings or training.

Further Information

Opportunities for Administration Officers within the Insolvency Service span a range of teams and responsibilities, and the nature of the role can vary accordingly. Some positions may involve customer-facing work, handling enquiries and providing direct support to the public, while others may focus more on administrative, casework or data-led activity in support of operational or specialist functions. While the core purpose and responsibilities of the roles are consistent, the specific activities you undertake will vary depending on the team or operating group to which you are assigned.

Some roles may support time-limited projects or areas of work, after which you may move to another suitable role or team. You will be introduced to any additional processes and ways of working relevant to that area.

Successful candidates who are not appointed immediately will be placed on a reserve list and may be considered for future opportunities across different business areas within the Insolvency Service.

Certain roles, such as those within our Intelligence team, may require a higher level of security clearance, known as Security Check. You would only need to obtain this clearance if you are offered a post that requires it. If you are unable to meet this requirement for a particular post, you may remain on the reserve list and be considered for other suitable Administration Officer vacancies that do not require this level of clearance.

Please note that although our agency standard hybrid working policy is 60% in the office, some roles may require 100% office attendance.

Where roles are available across multiple locations, a separate merit list will be maintained for each location, and appointments will be made in merit order for each location individually.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Delivering at Pace

• Making Effective Decisions

• Communicating and Influencing

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £26,670, Insolvency Service contributes
£7,726 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

We want you to have a good work-life balance and want to support you in all that you do, so we offer a great benefits package including:

• flexible working arrangements and flexi-time
• full time new entrants to the Civil Service and those Civil Servants on modernised terms and conditions will be entitled to 25 days leave increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service
• in addition to this you are entitled to 8 public/bank holidays plus an additional day of privilege leave
• competitive maternity, paternity and parental leave
• 5 days paid leave for learning and development
• 5 days paid for volunteering
• a Cycle to work scheme
• staff have access to an employee assistance programme, Workplace Wellness, for confidential, independent support and advice during difficult times in either their professional or personal life

Your pension is a valuable part of your total reward package where the employer makes a significant contribution to the cost of your pension. Your contributions come out of your salary before any tax is taken. This means, if you pay tax, your take-home pay will not be reduced by the full amount of your contribution; and your pension will continue to provide valuable benefits for you and your family if you are too ill to continue to work or die before you retire. For more information, visit www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

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

Application and Sift

As part of the sift process, you will be asked to complete:

• Civil Service Verbal Test
• Personal Statement
• Behaviours
• Behaviour 1 - Delivering at Pace

High volume applications and benchmark scoring

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Personal Statement, assessing candidates against the essential criteria. Only those who meet the essential criteria at this stage will proceed to a full assessment of their application. If a candidate does not meet the minimum requirements during the initial sift, the remainder of their application will not be reviewed. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview.

Where high volumes of strong applications are expected or received, we may raise the ‘benchmark’ minimum score required at the sift stage. If a high volume of candidates meet the benchmark score, we may further raise the score required for interview selection. Scores will be applied fairly and consistently. Applicants eligible under a recruitment scheme may, where appropriate, continue to be considered against the agreed ‘benchmark’ score, to support the purpose of the scheme.

Online Test Guidance

Before submission of your application, you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Verbal Test.

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (or no later than 48 - 72 hours of the application closing date, is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 07 November 2026. If you fail to complete the online tests before the deadline your application will be withdrawn.

Test guidance will be available when you are invited. You will take the tests online through the Civil Service Jobs website.

Personal Statement Guidance

Your personal statement should be no more than 500 words and must demonstrate how your personal skills, qualities, and experience align with the requirements of the role. Please ensure your statement references the criteria outlined in the person specification.

Interview Stage

If successful at the sift stage, at interview, you will be assessed on the following:

• Behavioural Competencies - assessed through:
• Behaviour 1 - Delivering at Pace
• Behaviour 2 - Making Effective Decisions
• Behaviour 3 - Communicating and Influencing

• Strengths

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Sift – w/c 09 November 2026

Interview – w/c 23 November 2026

Location - MS Teams

Your interview will be conducted by video. Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.

Multi-location vacancies

Separate primary and secondary merit lists will be maintained for each location.

You may select up to two locations, in preference order. Your first preference will determine which location’s primary merit list you are placed on, while your second preference will determine which location’s secondary merit list you are placed on.

Vacancies will first be offered in merit order to candidates on the primary list for that location. If no suitable candidates remain on the primary list, vacancies may then be offered in merit order to candidates on the secondary list.

You could be offered a role at either of your preferred locations, so you should only select locations you are willing and able to attend regularly. If you decline an offer for one of your preferred locations, you may not receive another offer.

If you have no other preferred location remaining, you will be removed from the recruitment process and will not remain on any reserve list. Only locations listed in this vacancy will be considered.

Visa Applicants

To sponsor a candidate under the Skilled Worker visa, a sponsorship licence is required. The Insolvency Service does not currently hold this licence and therefore, cannot legally sponsor Skilled Worker visa applicants.

Queries and Support

When contacting us or the Government Recruitment Service (GRS) using the contact details at the bottom of this advert, please include the 6-digit Vacancy ID, job title, your full name and, where applicable, your 8-digit Applicant ID in the email subject line. This will help us process your enquiry more efficiently.

Further Information

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

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

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland 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.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

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

Reasonable Adjustment

We must make reasonable adjustments if our recruitment process puts a disabled applicant at a substantial disadvantage. These are changes or support that help remove or reduce that disadvantage.

If you need an adjustment to apply, contact Government Recruitment Service at insolvencyrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date.

For adjustments later in the recruitment process, complete ‘Assistance required’ on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form. Examples include wheelchair access at interview or communication support if you are deaf or hard of hearing.

Hybrid Working

The Insolvency Service’s hybrid working policy offers flexibility over when and where you work and collaborate, subject to business needs.

You are expected to work from an office listed in this advert to connect with colleagues, as your role and team require. You can split your working week, but must spend at least 60% in the workplace, including offices, site visits, court and other work locations.

Feedback

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) 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.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the

Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window)
and the

Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available.
You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : INSS Central Recruitment Team
• Email : hr.recruitment@insolvency.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : InsolvencyRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

You can complain to the Insolvency Service if you believe you have experienced discrimination under the Equality Act 2010, procedural errors at any recruitment stage, or a breach of the Recruitment Principles (appointment on merit through fair and open competition).

First, email Government Recruitment Service at insolvencyrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. Your complaint must reach the contact point for applicants within 24 hours of being told you were unsuccessful at sift, assessment or interview.

An independent third party outside the recruitment campaign will consider your complaint. You will receive a written decision within 5 working days of receipt. Recruitment will usually be paused until your complaint is resolved.

If you are dissatisfied with the response, you can contact the Civil Service Commission about a suspected breach of the Recruitment Principles. You can complain to the Commission at any time, but must first raise your complaint with Government Recruitment Service.

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