Government Policy Official Summer Internship 10 Week Placement
Leeds, Quarry House, LS2 7UA; Sheffield, King’s Court, S3 7UF; Sheffield, 2 St Pauls Place, S1 2JF. No other locations will be considered. For all locations, travel to other sites may be required.
Job Summary
Candidates must be a current University of Leeds, University of Sheffield or Sheffield Hallam University student in your first or second year, with availability through summer 2026 (from late June to early September).
- The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department for Education (DfE) are large government departments that are offering rewarding policy careers at their Northern hub locations. DWP is based in both Sheffield and Leeds and DfE is based solely in Sheffield.
- On application you will be invited to state which department would be your first choice and which would be second choice. We will try to accommodate your preference, but this cannot be guaranteed. There is more detailed information on the roles of each of the different government departments in the attached candidate pack and links further down the job advert.
- The Policy Summer Internships involve paid work placements that provide an opportunity to see what working in the Civil Service is like. Successful applicants will be given a placement that provides hands-on experience and insight into opportunities available in the Civil Service in the North of England. You will be allocated a directorate within DWP or DfE to work in.
- A Policy Summer Internship is a great way to prepare for a career in public administration and will last for 10 weeks starting on 29 June 2026. To ensure maximum benefit from the placement you will be expected to be available for the full period.
- Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion matters to us. We are keen to hear from candidates from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.
- Please note that there are differences in salary across departments, with DWP offering £27,844 and DfE offering £xx, pro-rata.
Job Description
Your placement will involve you working on real-life policy making. You could be:
- Assisting with the creation of policy documents.
- Considering research findings.
- Engaging with senior stakeholders on major policy issues.
- Shadowing civil servants to understand different roles.
- Providing project support.
- Some occasional travel to other locations may be involved including overnight stays - this will be covered by each Department's expenses policy.
What induction and ongoing training will be provided?
- A placement manager to support and guide you.
- Support and mentoring from colleagues in your department.
- Involvement in a range of activities and visits.
- Access to departmental learning offers and other learning and development opportunities.
Person Specification
We’re Looking For Enthusiastic People Who Are Considering a Career in Public Administration/Public Policy. Successful Candidates Must Meet The Following Experience Key Criteria At Sift.
- (Lead criterion) Show commitment to developing skills, knowledge and experience of public policy making.
- Produce high quality written work which is accurate and concise.
- Demonstrate inclusive and collaborative ways of working, working effectively as part of a team.
- Use inter-personal skills to develop professional relationships.
Qualifications
Candidates must be a current University of Leeds, University of Sheffield or Sheffield Hallam University student in your first or second year, with availability through summer 2026.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
Alongside your salary of £27,844, Department for Work and Pensions contributes £8,066 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Please note, the figures above will differ slightly in Department for Education and will be based on the actual salary offered.
Working at the Company
DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:
- Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
- Generous annual leave – at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro–rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
- Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
- Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
- Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service.
- Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
- An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience.
Selection process details
This vacancy uses Success Profiles to assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
- Application & Sift - For the first stage of the application process, you will be asked to complete a 500-word Personal Statement which will be sifted and scored.
- Your personal statement needs to set out evidence of how your experience meets all the Experience Key Criteria set out above and not the published behaviours listed in this advert.
- Your Personal Statement must show demonstrable evidence of what you did, how you did it, and what outcome was achieved. This should include the impact of your approach and evidence of your ability to take forward different approaches in different circumstances.
- Interview - Your interview will be conducted by video via MS Teams. If you are successful, you will be invited to a behaviours and strengths-based interview commencing mid-April 2026. The Behaviours being assessed are detailed in the job advert.
- Sift and interview dates to be confirmed. When applying for these roles, you will be required to state in preference order which of the two locations you can work from, Sheffield, and Leeds.
- By indicating your preferred Policy Group hub location(s) in your application you are stating that you are willing to accept a post in any of your chosen location(s).
Further Information
At the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 3 months from which further appointments can be made. If you are placed on a reserve list but we cannot immediately offer you a post, please note:
- If you are later offered the role you applied for, in a location you have expressed a preference for, and you decline the offer or are unable to take up the post within a reasonable timeframe you will be withdrawn from the campaign and removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances.
- If DWP makes an offer of an alternative role or location to that which you originally applied for, and you decline that offer, you will be able to remain on the reserve list.
If high application volumes are received, the benchmark for candidates to proceed to the next stage may be raised. In line with our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS), we aim to advance all candidates applying under the DCS who meet the minimum standard. However, we may only progress those candidates who best meet the required standards.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment. Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing. Accepting a post will be taken to mean acceptance of revised terms & conditions. Civil Servants applying on promotion will usually be appointed to the salary minimum or within 10% of existing salary.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.
Nationality Requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein with settled or pre-settled status
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. We run a Disability Confident Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. We also offer a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction.
Locations
Locations
Leeds, Quarry House, LS2 7UA; Sheffield, King’s Court, S3 7UF; Sheffield, 2 St Pauls Place, S1 2JF. No other locations will be considered. For all locations, travel to other sites may be required.
Job Summary
Candidates must be a current University of Leeds, University of Sheffield or Sheffield Hallam University student in your first or second year, with availability through summer 2026 (from late June to early September).
- The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department for Education (DfE) are large government departments that are offering rewarding policy careers at their Northern hub locations. DWP is based in both Sheffield and Leeds and DfE is based solely in Sheffield.
- On application you will be invited to state which department would be your first choice and which would be second choice. We will try to accommodate your preference, but this cannot be guaranteed. There is more detailed information on the roles of each of the different government departments in the attached candidate pack and links further down the job advert.
- The Policy Summer Internships involve paid work placements that provide an opportunity to see what working in the Civil Service is like. Successful applicants will be given a placement that provides hands-on experience and insight into opportunities available in the Civil Service in the North of England. You will be allocated a directorate within DWP or DfE to work in.
- A Policy Summer Internship is a great way to prepare for a career in public administration and will last for 10 weeks starting on 29 June 2026. To ensure maximum benefit from the placement you will be expected to be available for the full period.
- Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion matters to us. We are keen to hear from candidates from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.
- Please note that there are differences in salary across departments, with DWP offering £27,844 and DfE offering £xx, pro-rata.
Job Description
Your placement will involve you working on real-life policy making. You could be:
- Assisting with the creation of policy documents.
- Considering research findings.
- Engaging with senior stakeholders on major policy issues.
- Shadowing civil servants to understand different roles.
- Providing project support.
- Some occasional travel to other locations may be involved including overnight stays - this will be covered by each Department's expenses policy.
What induction and ongoing training will be provided?
- A placement manager to support and guide you.
- Support and mentoring from colleagues in your department.
- Involvement in a range of activities and visits.
- Access to departmental learning offers and other learning and development opportunities.
Person Specification
We’re Looking For Enthusiastic People Who Are Considering a Career in Public Administration/Public Policy. Successful Candidates Must Meet The Following Experience Key Criteria At Sift.
- (Lead criterion) Show commitment to developing skills, knowledge and experience of public policy making.
- Produce high quality written work which is accurate and concise.
- Demonstrate inclusive and collaborative ways of working, working effectively as part of a team.
- Use inter-personal skills to develop professional relationships.
Qualifications
Candidates must be a current University of Leeds, University of Sheffield or Sheffield Hallam University student in your first or second year, with availability through summer 2026.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
Alongside your salary of £27,844, Department for Work and Pensions contributes £8,066 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Please note, the figures above will differ slightly in Department for Education and will be based on the actual salary offered.
Working at the Company
DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:
- Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
- Generous annual leave – at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro–rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
- Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
- Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
- Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service.
- Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
- An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience.
Selection process details
This vacancy uses Success Profiles to assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
- Application & Sift - For the first stage of the application process, you will be asked to complete a 500-word Personal Statement which will be sifted and scored.
- Your personal statement needs to set out evidence of how your experience meets all the Experience Key Criteria set out above and not the published behaviours listed in this advert.
- Your Personal Statement must show demonstrable evidence of what you did, how you did it, and what outcome was achieved. This should include the impact of your approach and evidence of your ability to take forward different approaches in different circumstances.
- Interview - Your interview will be conducted by video via MS Teams. If you are successful, you will be invited to a behaviours and strengths-based interview commencing mid-April 2026. The Behaviours being assessed are detailed in the job advert.
- Sift and interview dates to be confirmed. When applying for these roles, you will be required to state in preference order which of the two locations you can work from, Sheffield, and Leeds.
- By indicating your preferred Policy Group hub location(s) in your application you are stating that you are willing to accept a post in any of your chosen location(s).
Further Information
At the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 3 months from which further appointments can be made. If you are placed on a reserve list but we cannot immediately offer you a post, please note:
- If you are later offered the role you applied for, in a location you have expressed a preference for, and you decline the offer or are unable to take up the post within a reasonable timeframe you will be withdrawn from the campaign and removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances.
- If DWP makes an offer of an alternative role or location to that which you originally applied for, and you decline that offer, you will be able to remain on the reserve list.
If high application volumes are received, the benchmark for candidates to proceed to the next stage may be raised. In line with our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS), we aim to advance all candidates applying under the DCS who meet the minimum standard. However, we may only progress those candidates who best meet the required standards.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment. Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing. Accepting a post will be taken to mean acceptance of revised terms & conditions. Civil Servants applying on promotion will usually be appointed to the salary minimum or within 10% of existing salary.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.
Nationality Requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein with settled or pre-settled status
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. We run a Disability Confident Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. We also offer a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction.
