Careers ServiceI want to work in government, politics and policy

Sector overview

Overview of the public services and administration sector

Typical job profiles

Civil Service fast streamer

Diplomatic Service officer

Local government officer

Policy officer

Public Affairs Consultant

Useful online resources

See also page on Policy and Research

Job sites and specialist recruiters

TARGETjobs Career sectors: Public service & administration

Public sector careers Guardian newspaper articles, blogs etc

Think Tanks List of links, some offering internships

Central Government

Civil Service Jobs Online includes information on all professional entry routes and Fast Stream scheme

Directgov Government's centralised information service

Scottish Government recruitment

Working at Parliament

Working for an MP - W4MP - how parliament works, guides and jobs

Working for an MP - article from Prospects

Work for a Labour Party MP - submit your CV to be considered for open roles, you will be able to indicate where you would like to work – either in Westminster or in a region or nation of the UK. If you have a particular interest in working for a specific MP, you can also specify this

Local Government

Jobsgopublic Mainly jobs in England

Local Government careers career descriptions, employee profiles England & Wales

Local Government Vacancies Scotland (myjobScotland)

National Graduate Development Programme only local authorities in England and Wales

Think tanks

Think Tanks are organisations which explore and research issues including social, public and economic policy and reform, social justice, democracy, and the environment.  Most are independent but some are government funded and/or linked to a political party.  

Working in the Think Tank sector - recording of a session hosted by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research

Resolution Foundation YouTube channel includes videos about Working in the Think Tank Sector

Smart Thinking careers resources, including blogs and interviews, for those wanting to work in think tanks or policy 

Policy Exchange UK's Leading Think Tank

NHS

NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme  Only England

NHS Scotland Graduate Management Training Scheme Scotland

NHS Wales Graduate Management Training Scheme Wales

ISD Scotland NHS Scotland Information Services Directorate

Supra-National Organisations

Euro Brussels internships

European Commission Civil Service

Career opportunities at the UN (pdf)

Professional bodies

Many professional bodies and trade associations provide careers information and/or vacancy listings on their websites.