As a serving civil servant you are, of course, free to enter the open competition, like any other private individual. If you decide to do this, please be aware that there might be implications for your continuity of service and salary if successful. You are advised to check your position with your HR team before submitting an application.
However, we also offer an In-Service Fast Stream competition. This annual competition is open to all serving civil servants Grade HEO (or equivalent) or below, regardless of age or educational attainment. You will not be eligible to apply if you have already made an application through the open competition in the current recruitment year (i.e. the open competition advertised the preceding autumn).
Please note that you are not eligible to enter the In-Service competition if you are on secondment to the Civil Service from an external organisation, or if you are employed on a fixed term appointment due to end before the competition is completed. The In-Service Fast Stream programme is not available within the Northern Ireland Civil Service.
In-Service Fast Stream
The Fast Stream requires tremendous commitment and determination. To be successful you need to show that you have the attributes and qualities needed to earn promotion to middle management level (Grade 7) after about four years and to compete for posts in the Senior Civil Service within a reasonable time after that.
The selection process involves two distinct stages. The first, application, stage is the responsibility of your department or agency. Each department has its own application procedure and its own deadline for submitting applications, so you should contact your HR team to find out the arrangements that apply to you. After the application deadline, your HR team will operate some form of shortlisting mechanism to decide which applicants it will put forward to the second stage, which is the Fast Stream selection process itself.
Downloadable literature is available. Please note that details may change from year to year, so when the next in-Service competition is advertised you should look for the latest version and read it carefully.