Selection and appointment

The Careers Office receives enlistments and passes each one, unchanged, to the department named on it. Everything that follows is done by the department. This page describes what that is, so that a candidate knows what to expect and when.

The procedure below is common to every department of the Velocity Interoperability Network. It was adopted on 6 September 2026 at the same time as the common terms and conditions of service, so that a candidate who enlists with more than one department meets the same stages, the same timescales and the same standards in each.

A candidate who has a question about the progress of an enlistment should write to the department, quoting the name and email address given on the form and any vacancy reference. The Careers Office cannot answer such questions, because it holds no record of an enlistment once it has been passed on; but a candidate who has heard nothing from a department after the period for acknowledgement may write to contact@careers.gov.vin and the Office will confirm that the enlistment was passed on.

Principles

Selection on merit: A department appoints the candidate whose experience, knowledge and conduct best fit the position. No other consideration is taken into account.
The same procedure in every department: The stages below were adopted by all departments on 6 September 2026. A department may add a stage suited to its work, such as a practical exercise, but may not omit one.
Written reasons for a decision: A candidate who is not appointed may ask the department for the reasons in writing. The department answers within ten working days of the request.
Adjustments for candidates: A candidate who needs an adjustment at any stage, whether to the form of an assessment or to its timing or location, should say so when the department first writes. The department makes the adjustment or explains why it cannot.
One record, held by the department: The department keeps the record of a selection: the enlistment, its correspondence with the candidate, any assessment notes and the decision. The Careers Office keeps no copy once an enlistment has been passed on.

The stages

Seven stages follow the receipt of an enlistment by a department. Not every candidate passes through all seven: an enlistment that does not meet the requirements of a position stops at the sift, and a department that needs no further information may go straight from the sift to assessment.

Step 1: Acknowledgement
The department writes to confirm that it has received your enlistment, names the officer handling it and, where you quoted a vacancy reference, confirms that the reference is open.
Step 2: Sift
The department compares your enlistment with the requirements of the position or, for a general enlistment, with the positions it expects to establish. Candidates whose enlistments do not meet the requirements are told so at this stage.
Step 3: Further questions
The department may write with questions arising from your statement or your answers. It states a date by which it needs a reply. If you cannot reply by then, write and say so; the department will normally allow more time.
Step 4: Assessment
An interview, an exercise or both, held at a Network site or by video at the candidate's choice. The department gives at least five working days' notice and tells you in advance what form the assessment will take.
Step 5: Decision
The department decides within ten working days of the assessment and writes to every candidate assessed, whether or not they are appointed.
Step 6: Offer and checks
A successful candidate receives a conditional offer stating the grade, the point on the pay spine, the place of work and the proposed start date. Appointment is subject to confirmation of identity and, for some posts, security clearance.
Step 7: Appointment
Once the checks are complete the department confirms the appointment and the start date. A period of probation begins on the first day of service.

Indicative timescales

Periods departments work to at each stage
Stage	Indicative period	Who writes, and how
Acknowledgement	Within 5 working days of enlistment	The department, by email
Sift	Within 15 working days of acknowledgement	The department, by email, if unsuccessful
Further questions	Reply normally within 10 working days	The department states the date
Assessment	At least 5 working days' notice	The department, with the form of the assessment
Decision	Within 10 working days of assessment	The department, to every candidate assessed
Offer and checks	Normally 10 to 20 working days	The department; the candidate supplies documents
Appointment	Start date agreed with the candidate	The department, in writing

Working days are Monday to Friday excluding the public holidays of the Network. The periods are those departments aim to meet; where a department expects to exceed one, it writes to the candidate and says when it expects to be in touch.

After appointment

Every appointment begins with six months of probation. During probation the department and the officer review progress at the end of the first, third and sixth months, and either may end the appointment on one week's notice. At the end of the sixth month the department confirms the appointment in writing, extends probation once by up to three months, or ends it.

An officer whose appointment is confirmed is placed on the establishment of the department at the grade and spine point stated in the offer. Progression up the spine, notice periods and the other conditions of service are described on the Terms and conditions of service page.

An officer may later enlist with another department through the ordinary procedure. A department receiving such an enlistment treats it in the same way as any other, and the officer's existing grade and spine point transfer with them on appointment.