Frequently Asked Questions when applying for a role at the CCRC:
What security checks do you conduct?
All new starters will undergo standard pre-employment checks, called a Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Due to the nature of our work, many of our roles also require CTC clearance (Counter Terrorist Check) before any appointment can be confirmed. You can find out more about what each security clearance entails by visiting: National security vetting: clearance levels – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Will there be a reserve list?
We operate a reserve list for those who performed well at interview but were not appointed. We use the reserve list to make appointment offers to candidates, where the vacancy matches the role candidates were interviewed for, without the need for a new recruitment exercise to be undertaken.
Can I claim back any expenses incurred during the recruitment process?
We are unable to reimburse any recruitment expenses. The vast majority of our interviews and assessments are conducted remotely via Teams.
What nationality do I need to hold in order to apply?
You will need to have the right to work and remain in the UK. The CCRC does not offer visa sponsorship. You will also need to be eligible to work in the Civil Service and meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules. You can find more information on the Civil Service Nationality Rules here: Civil Service recruitment: nationality rules – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk
Where will I be working?
As a remote-first organisation the majority of our staff work from home, travelling to the office a couple of times a year on average. This means that you can work anywhere in the UK. Please note that staff cannot work overseas, you must be based in the UK. Our main office is based in central Birmingham.
Can I receive feedback on my application?
Due to the high volume of candidates we are only able to provide feedback to candidates who reach the final interview stage.
Do you offer extensions to the deadline dates?
We are not able to offer extensions to closing dates or deadlines for assessments. Any deadline dates will be included in the candidate information pack, and we advise you to make a note of these when applying. On occasion, these dates may be subject to change, and we will keep you informed of any changes. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, it is usually not possible to offer alternative dates for assessments or interviews.
I am an existing Civil Servant, what happens if I am successful?
CCRC staff are Public Servants, and our Terms and Conditions mirror the Civil Service in many ways, but we are not Civil Servants. This means existing Civil Servants are unable to carry over any continuous service accrued when joining the CCRC. However, the CCRC utilises the Civil Service Pension Scheme, and so those joining will carry over any pensionable service with the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
What should I do if I think that I have a conflict of interest?
Candidates must declare any interests that might cause questions to be raised about your approach to the business of the Commission. If you believe that you may have a conflict of interest, please contact hr@ccrc.gov.uk before submitting your application.
What should I do if I want to make a complaint?
If you wish to make a complaint in relation to any stage of the recruitment and selection process, please email hr@ccrc.gov.uk. Please ensure that you quote the vacancy reference number. If you remain dissatisfied following the outcome of your complaint you have the right to contact the Ministry of Justice to pursue it further.
Will my personal data be secure?
As part of any recruitment process, the CCRC collects and processes personal data relating to job candidates. The CCRC is committed to being transparent about how it collects and uses that data and to meeting its data protection obligations.
The CCRC will hold recruitment records for a period of two years after the end of the relevant recruitment process. This will ensure that there is sufficient information to conduct an investigation if you submit a complaint. At the end of that period or once you withdraw your consent, your data is deleted or destroyed.
If you agree to allow the organisation to keep your personal data on file, the CCRC will hold your data on file for consideration for future employment opportunities. At the end of that period or once you withdraw your consent, your data is deleted or destroyed.
If your application for employment is successful, personal data gathered during the recruitment process will be transferred to your personnel file and retained during your employment. The periods for which your data will be held will be provided to you in a new privacy notice.
Civil Service Testing – I’ve already done this test, can you use my score from a previous test?
Unfortunately no, it is not possible to use the results from a previous test. Whilst we may use Civil Service Testing as part of our selection methods, we are unable to use any previous results or banked scores from previous tests due to the CCRC sitting slightly outside of Civil Service. This means that if we are using Civil Service Testing in our selection process, we will need candidates to undertake the test again and will use the results from the test we have commissioned.
What is the pass mark for Civil Service Testing?
The pass mark for a Civil Service Ability Test will vary for each vacancy. We set each test at the level appropriate to the job being advertised, meaning some tests may be slightly more difficult than others. After the test deadline, we will look at the test scores for all applicants to decide what the pass mark will be for the job. We will consider the impact on protected groups, and the number of available invitations to the next stage. Meeting the minimum required standard for the test is no guarantee that you will be invited to the next stage of the selection process for the job. All candidates will be informed of the outcome of their test results.
Do you have a Recruitment Policy at the CCRC?
You can find our latest CCRC Recruitment Policy here.