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Risk Management
scheme

Scheme duration

3.5 years

Location

UK wide

Scheme overview

On the Risk Management Fast Stream, you’ll make your mark helping government assess and prepare for future challenges facing the country, putting you at the heart of government decision making.

What you will experience

You will work in a risk management related role in government. The practical experience you will gain will complement the knowledge you will be building through studying for your professional risk qualification. These qualifications include the Institute for Risk Management’s International Certificate in Enterprise Risk Management. You’ll build relationships and help to put risk at the heart of decision making across government.

Upon qualification, promotion, and successful completion of the scheme, you will secure a risk management role and will be on an accelerated path to becoming a fully accredited member of the Government Risk Profession.

Entry requirements

  • eligible to work in the UK
  • you need, or expect to receive a 2:2 or higher in any degree subject including degree apprenticeships
  • resided in the UK for at least 5 of the previous 10 years, including a consecutive 12-month period
  • existing civil servants can apply without a degree

The benefits you’ll enjoy

You’ll have a unique chance to join a new and exciting scheme working on an agenda that is of great importance to the government. Risk Management is a great foundation for long-term progression in the Civil Service and to set you up for success as a future risk leader.

Other benefits include the Civil Service Pension Scheme, flexible working, season ticket loans, sports and social activities, childcare assistance and more.

Demystifying the Risk Management scheme

Supporting your learning

You’ll get support to become a Civil Service risk professional, including:

  • access to Government Risk Profession learning and development resources
  • regular online and in-person events, including the Risk Improvement Group
  • access to good practice tools and resources
  • membership of the Risk Profession Fast Stream Network, a network of fellow Risk fast streamers
    • a professional risk management qualification
    • a cohort undertaking the same qualification as you to provide support and peer learning opportunities

Chris talks about his experience on the Risk Management scheme, and the kind of projects he’s worked on.

Read Chris’ story

“This scheme will put you at the forefront of risk management.”

Thierry

Risk Management fast streamer

Risk Management fast streamer, Thierry

About the scheme

Placing risk considerations at the heart of senior decision making is vitally important in the Civil Service. We need to ensure that effective risk management is part of the way the Government operates, so that we are taking good risks in pursuit of opportunity. 

Risk management enables organisations to identify, assess and understand their overall risk profile, so that those risks can then be appropriately controlled. 

Risk management is about being innovative, resilient, and preparing to deal with the unexpected, a pursuit which is important for the government, given recent global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. As a Risk Management fast streamer, you will be joining the Government Risk Profession at an exciting time, as we continue to grow and improve risk management effectiveness.

Scheme placement details

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You’ll take on a risk management role within government, which could be in a main ministerial department or an Arm’s Length Body. The role will likely be focussed on practising the basic principles of effective risk management as defined in the Orange Book and providing business partnering support across your organisation.

You’ll gain experience and knowledge in another risk management placement within a different government setting. Roles for this year will typically be focussed on more sophisticated techniques for identifying, assessing, and monitoring risks within the host organisation.

In your second year, you will also start your IRM certificate, which you will be expected to complete by the end of the scheme.

You will be placed in a practitioner level risk role in government with the opportunity for stretch. You will apply your knowledge and experience to help develop organisational risk insights and analysis to support decision making.

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