Summer Diversity Internship Programme 2022

The multi-award winning Summer Diversity Internship Programme (SDIP) gives people from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to see what a career in the Civil Service is like. It puts talented undergraduates and graduates on a work placement in a government department. As a successful applicant, you’ll get an insight into the broad range of opportunities available across the Civil Service.

The SDIP is a great way to prepare for a place on one of our Fast Stream graduate programmes, which could lead to many different career paths at the heart of the UK Government. Two months on the SDIP could change your life!

You’ll also be invited to undertake Fast Pass, which is a quicker route to Fast Stream selection. The Fast Pass means if you receive a positive appraisal during the 2021 SDIP internship, and then apply for Fast Stream that year, you’ll be fast-tracked past the initial online selection stages. You’ll also have the option to defer your Fast Pass to the following year. As part of the programme you will receive coaching to support. This gives you an excellent chance to succeed on the Fast Stream.

Requirements

• You’re in your final 2 years at university with a 2:2 or higher in any degree subject (expected or awarded).
• You meet the diversity requirements (ethnic minority, socially or economically disadvantaged or have a disability). Click the link down below to check if you are eligible.
• Right to work in the UK.

Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) SDIP Internship

The Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) Summer Diversity Internship Programme provides the opportunity to work in one of the most exciting and transformative parts of the Civil Service. It puts talented undergraduates and graduates from a Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths (STEM) discipline on a work placement in a Digital, Data and Technology-related role, such as project delivery, data analysis or software development.

Successful completion of the programme supports qualification for accelerated application into our Fast Stream and graduate programmes. Simply apply to SDIP in the normal way and then indicate an interest in DDaT roles at application form stage (post the initial test stage).

What will you experience?

On the internship you’ll do challenging project-related work. You could be:

• Conducting research.
• Providing project support.
• Assisting with the creation of policy documents.
• Shadowing senior civil servants.
• Attending meetings with senior advisors on major issues.

The support you get includes:

• An allocated Fast Stream buddy and a scheme manager to support and oversee you.
• An excellent range of central events for you to attend, such as crisis management sessions, school mentoring and parliamentary visits.
• A corporate welcome reception in early June and a closing reception in September involving high-profile speakers.
• Access to ‘Fast Pass’ which potentially allows you to be fast-tracked to the final stages of the Fast Stream selection process. A minimum of 6 weeks is required in your placement in order to be considered for a ‘Fast Pass’.
• The opportunity of a place on a coaching programme designed to increase your chances of successfully passing the Fast Stream selection process.

Eligibility

You can only apply for SDIP in your final 2 years at university.

Candidates must also be from one or more of the following backgrounds:

• Ethnic minority.
• Socially or economically disadvantaged.
• Consider yourself to have a disability

Candidates from these ethinic Minority backgrounds can apply:

• Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani, Chinese or any other Asian background.
• African, Caribbean or any other black background.
• White and Asian, white and black African, white and black Caribbean or any other mixed ethnic background.
• Other - Arab.

The programmes are open to UK nationals and Commonwealth and EEA citizens. All successful applicants will be required to pass security checks and your placement will be dependent on this. We assess social and economic background using questions based mainly on family background.

You’ll need

• 2.2 degree (expected or awarded).
• A real interest in pursuing a career in the Civil Service.
• Show you can work in a team.
• Be innovative and creative.
• Be able to work with people at varying levels of ability and responsibility.
• Be motivated to help make improvements on major policy issues or on how public services are provided.
• Demonstrate the key competencies we expect from civil servants.
• The right to work in the UK

You can apply for the SDIP regardless of whether you’ve applied for a Fast Stream scheme at the same time. However, you’ll have to withdraw your internship application if you’re successful for a Fast Stream scheme in the same competition year.

You can only participate in the SDIP once.