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Civil service fast streamer: Job description and activities

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. Fast streamers are placed in regularly changing roles of intensive responsibility to prepare them for future senior managerial positions.

Working with and for government, Civil Service fast streamers are exposed to a range of placements in government departments and agencies. Opportunities for secondment into the private sector, charities or other public sector organisations may also be available. Placements usually last around 12 to 18 months.

The precise nature of the job changes from placement to placement but, generally, roles include the following:

• policy adviser;
• project leader;
• consultant;
• researcher.

Typical work activities

Civil Service fast streamers are expected to become skilled negotiators and good managers. After three to five years' training, those with an aptitude for the work might be managing a multimillion-pound budget or taking the lead in drafting a government White Paper.

Typical work activities 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, possibly in different departments on a regular basis;
• working quickly and under pressure, often within complex rules and procedures;
• leading and managing projects, resources and people;
• achieving and delivering results to deadline.

AGCAS

Written by Katja Linssen, Newcastle University

Last updated:

December 2008

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