G7 and G6 Civil Service Behaviours
At Grade 7 and Grade 6, panels look for strategic impact: shaping direction, influencing senior people and partners, leading through others and building a culture. Grade 6 examples are expected to show more leadership and big-picture thinking than Grade 7.
Below are the published descriptors for all nine behaviours at Grade 7 and Grade 6 grade or equivalent. The advert lists which behaviours your role uses.
Seeing the Big Picture
Examples of seeing the big picture at G7 and G6 grade or equivalent are when you:
- Develop an in-depth insight into the dynamics and issues surrounding the department and the government
- understand political, economic, social, environmental and technological impact at both national and international levels
- establish where the department sits within and aligns across the Civil Service
- ensure teams understand their role within the wider business
- shape the department’s role and purpose in delivering civil service priorities which are in the national interest and meet the diverse needs of all stakeholders
- create clear long-term strategies focused on adding value to the nation and making real, lasting change beyond the Civil Service
- fully engage with senior leaders from across government to support strategic decision making
Changing and Improving
Examples of changing and improving at G7 and G6 grade or equivalent are when you:
- constructively challenge bureaucratic decision making, resourcing structures and processes across the Civil Service
- strive to simplify approaches to create an effective organisation using digital technologies ensuring full consideration of accessibility needs and the diverse range of end users
- proactively champion and lead change, seeking innovative new approaches, policies and systems that add value to the organisation
- create a culture of innovation, flexibility and responsiveness enabling departments to swiftly respond to change
- have the confidence to take calculated risks to change how things are done
- establish an environment where all colleagues feel safe to challenge without fear
- consider the full impact of change on the organisational culture and wider government structures
Making Effective Decisions
Examples of making effective decisions at G7 and G6 grade or equivalent are when you:
- develop departmental or functional strategies and priorities while considering a wide range of political, national and international pressures
- manage and mitigate evaluated risks and options when making decisions
- demonstrate transparency around decisions and create a culture where others feel able to challenge decisions being made
- give unbiased evidence-led advice to Ministers and other senior officials based on extensive robust analysis
- when required, be able to make unpopular decisions and defend them at the highest level
- ensure early and continued engagement with the right stakeholders when making recommendations or decisions
- emphasise the importance of considering the different needs of end users
Leadership
Examples of leadership at G7 and G6 grade or equivalent are when you:
- actively develop and protect the reputation of the Civil Service, creating a sense of pride and passion for public service
- present a clear and focused strategy with direction for the future
- act in ways that are highly visible, inspirational and credible at the most senior levels across and outside of the Civil Service
- create an inclusive environment where diversity is valued and there is equality of opportunity for all
- engage positively in debate and resolve ambiguities, gaining the best possible outcomes for the department
Communicating and Influencing
Examples of communicating and influencing at G7 and G6 grade or equivalent are when you:
- demonstrate and promote communicating with honesty, integrity, impartiality and objectivity
- ensure there is the infrastructure to support varied communication methods which are cost effective and keep up with advances in digital technology
- develop a culture where colleagues consider the individual needs of people when deciding how to communicate and understand the impacts of the chosen methods
- communicate purpose and direction with respect, clarity and enthusiasm
- overcome objections to gain acceptance of the vision and purpose of the department
- use your influence to make a positive difference across the Civil Service and externally
Working Together
Examples of working together at G7 and G6 grade or equivalent are when you:
- drive an inclusive and collaborative working culture which values diversity and encourages, openness, approachability and sensitivity
- ensure the wellbeing of all individuals is valued across the organisation
- confront issues and challenge assumptions at the highest levels, no matter how uncomfortable, in an assertive yet constructive way
- create a culture where bullying, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable
- build a strong diverse network of professional relationships across the highest levels of government and with Non-Executive Directors
- act for the wider good of the Civil Service by improving governance at board level to meet Civil Service objectives
Developing Self and Others
Examples of developing self and others at G7 and G6 grade or equivalent are when you:
- build a strong culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing
- promote the importance of developing everyone to their full potential
- develop capability strategies that address equality of opportunity and value the diversity of all individuals
- develop and maintain an organisational commitment to empowering individuals to take responsibility for their own learning
- take a strategic perspective to identifying the capability needs of the organisation now and in the future
- be an outstanding mentor and coach to other senior individuals
- actively seek opportunities for reverse mentoring to increase your knowledge and insights of challenges faced by under-represented groups
- evaluate own effectiveness and plan ways to develop
Managing a Quality Service
Examples of managing a quality service at G7 and G6 grade or equivalent are when you:
- work across government to ensure delivery of professional excellence and expertise to customers
- ensure the department has an in-depth and evolving understanding of the broad range of customers’ requirements
- establish and negotiate service levels and deliverables with delivery partners at a broad strategic level
- promote delivering value for money, emphasising a good return on tax payers money
- ensure all parts of the delivery chain fully understand the required outcomes for the customer
- ensure all colleagues and stakeholders involved in delivery are clear about the impacts of poor service and communication on the customer
Delivering at Pace
Examples of delivering at pace at G7 and G6 grade or equivalent are when you:
- set and maintain a clear direction for the department, with highly focused priorities and project and programme outcomes
- define and integrate clear structures, systems and resources across the department which promote efficient service delivery
- swiftly adjust priorities as changing situations dictate
- enable the organisation to remain focused on core priorities irrespective of external challenges
- encourage, support and coach individuals and teams to keep focus on delivery
- drive a performance culture across the department which gives teams the space and authority to deliver objectives, whilst holding them accountable for outcomes Back to top
Descriptors from Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours (GOV.UK). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Their use here does not imply endorsement.
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