Civil Service fast streamer: Job description

The Civil Service Fast Stream  is an accelerated development programme for graduates preparing them for careers at the highest levels of the Civil Service. It allows graduates to gain a wide range of experience in a very short time.

Working with and for central government, Civil Service Fast Streamers are exposed to a range of contrasting placements or postings in government departments and agencies. This provides the opportunity to build up a portfolio of experience by moving between areas of work and projects.

Fast Streamers usually work in more than one government department and in more than one part of the UK. Opportunities for secondment into the private sector, charities, Europe or other public sector organisations are also available.

The precise nature of the job depends on which Fast Stream option you choose to undertake and changes from placement to placement. However, all Fast Streamers can expect to experience a range of work in three broad areas:

• front-line operational delivery;
• policy;
• corporate services.

Typical work activities

Civil Service Fast Streamers are expected to become good leaders and managers. After completing the programme (normally four years, but varies between Fast Stream options), Fast Stream entrants might be managing a multimillion-pound budget or taking the lead in drafting a government White Paper.

Work activities depend on the Fast Steam option you choose and also on the nature of the placement or posting. However, typical tasks may include:

• rapidly developing an in-depth knowledge of a particular subject or issue, to the extent that you will be consulted as a topic expert;
• representing your department's interests and negotiating with others to reach a position of mutual satisfaction;
• contributing constructively to issues where many interests are involved;
• formulating and implementing policy;
• communicating complex ideas clearly, both orally and in writing (e.g. you may be required to summarise a 1,000 page report into a page of A4 for a busy minister);
• adapting to different jobs on a regular basis, sometimes in different departments and also in different parts of the UK;
• working quickly and under pressure, often within complex rules and procedures;
• leading and managing projects, resources and people;
• achieving and delivering results to deadline.