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• Recruitment process
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Visit our Contact us section to discover how to get in touch with us.

Stage 1: Applying

• You will need to submit a completed application form in response to a specific advert.
• It is important for you to show how you meet the individual requirements for a specific role, so we ask that you don't send speculative applications.
• When you are applying, please don’t send your CV to support your application. We won’t be able to consider it.
• When we advertise a role, we always include a closing date. After this date, we can’t accept applications without prior agreement from our Human Resources Team.

Stage 2: Application Pack

• Job specification
  This contains details about what the role involves and what skills you will need
• Application form
  The answers and information you provide will enable us to understand and assess your skills, qualifications, career history and reasons for applying.
• Equal Opportunities form
  This form will be separated from your application straight away on receipt by the Human Resources Team and isn't made available to anyone involved in the selection process.

For page to page guidance on filling in your application form, click here.
For address details, please visit our Contact Us section.

Stage 3: Short listing and interview

• Short listing
  All applications are assessed by the shortlisting panel according to the information you have supplied and against the criteria set out in the person specification. All applications are scored and compared in order to draw up the shortlist for the post.
• Invitation to interview
  If you are short listed, our HR team will phone or write to you, usually at least a week before the interview date. We will also let you know if there are any additional requirements. Depending on the role, these may include a presentation, a written assessment or completing an on-line verbal reasoning assessment.
• Security clearance at interview
  As everyone at the ICO is under a duty to protect confidential information, it is imperative that you provide proof of identity and nationality at interview. Our HR Team will advise you on suitable forms of ID.
• Evidence of qualifications at interview
  You will need to bring evidence of any relevant qualifications and grades included on your application form to your interview. If you are unable to provide satisfactory evidence (either original certificates or written confirmation from The Assessments and Qualifications Alliance) your offer will be withdrawn.
• Special requirements
  If you have been invited for an interview and have special requirements, please contact our HR Team so they can cater for your needs in advance.
• Medical health declaration forms
  These are normally enclosed with your interview invitation. Please complete and hand them to our HR representative at interview. The forms aren't part of the recruitment process and are only screened after an offer has been made. Forms of unsuccessful candidates are destroyed unopened.

Stage 4: Offer of employment

• Employment offer
  Our HR Team will send you a letter confirming the offer of employment, along with a copy of your contract and a criminal records declaration form. Your offer will be made subject to satisfactory references, occupational health clearance and security clearance.
• References
  When offered the role, you will need to provide two referees. These should cover a period of one year and be a combination of employer and academic referees. Personal references are not acceptable. Occupational health clearance
  When offered the role, our HR Team will, with your consent, check the medical declaration forms. If you don’t give consent, we will pass it onto our Medical Advisers for clearance.
• Security clearance
  As everyone at the ICO is under a duty to protect confidential information, you will be asked to complete a criminal records declaration before any provisional offer of employment is confirmed. Some of our roles require security clearance from the Ministry of Justice, due to the nature of information to which you may have access. This will require you to declare any convictions you have, whether or not they are spent.
• Formal offer
  Once references, occupational health and security have been validated, a formal offer of employment can be made. You will then be contacted to agree a start date, which will be confirmed in writing.