GovXchange programme
Becoming a secondee –
your questions answered

Yes. It is up to the home organisation to agree to release an individual to take part in the programme. You will be asked to confirm that you have sought your line manager’s permission to take part as part of your application to the scheme.  

We anticipate that the programme will include a variety of secondment opportunities, including shorter-term or part-time secondments, which we hope will provide organisations with greater flexibility to release employees for secondment positions.

Individuals on a fixed-term contract are not prohibited from taking part in the programme; however, a secondment can only be arranged for a period no longer than the end date of the fixed-term contract. 

Fixed-term employees are usually recruited to undertake a specific piece of work, so the home organisation must consider the secondment against the business need for the role they were originally recruited to undertake.

Secondees participating in the programme will have an exciting opportunity to gain experience in a different area of government and deepen their understanding of the links between local and central government. In all roles, you will get the chance to work alongside talented individuals on meaningful work that supports the government Plan for Change and other local priorities. 

Secondments provide an excellent opportunity for career development, allowing you to experience a new environment and culture, while enhancing your skills and expertise. You will be able to build strong connections with new colleagues and expand your professional network. We hope you utilise these links when you return from your secondment to continue to embed a strong relationship between local and central government in your work.

Yes, if you are interested in a secondment and have a non-standard working pattern, please include your preferred arrangement in the Expression of Interest Form. This will help us to identify the most appropriate matches and ensure we can accommodate your requirements.

We are open to a range of secondment opportunities, including:

• Short-term secondments, which deliver a discrete piece of work, may be more suited to a shorter arrangement, such as 12 weeks. For example, a secondee may be brought in to deliver a specific aspect of a larger project or to provide front-line experience to support a part of the policy development process.

• Longer-term secondments, which may be more suitable for the secondees who want to build capability and expertise or fully lead and deliver a longer-term project.

• Part-time arrangements may be beneficial for an individual who can join the host organisation for a set number of days per week or month, enabling them to continue their work in the home organisation for the remaining time. For example, it may be helpful to have a secondee who can support the ongoing development of a policy or programme by providing regular guidance and expertise, without needing to be involved full-time.

• Exchange or job swap opportunities between organisations. In these cases, individuals in similar roles and at comparable levels swap places to gain experience working in a different part of government, whilst also sharing their own expertise and knowledge.

The specific details of each placement will be determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the needs of the role and the secondee.

The Test & Learn aims to recruit individuals from a range of different backgrounds and provide every candidate with equal opportunities. If you require adjustments to allow you to complete the expression of interest form, please contact the programme team via secondmentexpertise@cabinetoffice.gov.uk or secondments@local.gov.uk. 

If you are successfully matched to a secondment, your host organisation will work closely with you to ensure any reasonable workplace adjustments are in place.

The GovXchange programme will not use formal recruitment to identify individuals most suitable for the secondment opportunities. Instead, a matching process will be in place.
Once a role or an individual’s interest has been submitted via the forms provided, the GovXchange programme team will identify where matches can be made.  The vacancy holder will then set up a matching meeting with the applicant to discuss the opportunity in more detail. The matching meeting should be an informal discussion with the potential secondee to consider whether they are suitable for the role. It is up to the discretion of the vacancy holder as to how they approach this conversation.

Following the discussion, if there is mutual agreement between both parties to proceed with the secondment, the secondment can start being set up between the host and home organisation. If either party feels the secondment is unsuitable, the secondment will not proceed. The role and individual will remain on the database for further potential matches.

If a match is identified, the programme team will notify the vacancy holder and provide further details. The vacancy holder will then be responsible for organising an informal discussion with the potential secondee.

It is down to the vacancy holder as to how they approach this conversation, although we strongly recommend that this is not a formal interviewing process.  If there is flexibility in the role, for example in terms of scope of the role, working arrangements or duration of the placement, we recommend discussing the details to ensure it adds value to both organisation and the individual.

If either party feels the match is unsuitable, the secondment will not proceed. You should share the outcome of the meeting with the programme team and explain clearly and transparently if you do not believe the match is suitable.

Please be aware that submitting your interest for the programme does not guarantee that you will be matched to a role. However, we encourage you to express your interest, and the programme team will endeavour to identify a suitable match wherever possible.

Throughout the secondment, your home organisation’s line manager should conduct ‘keeping in touch’ conversations with you, in line with what was agreed in the secondment agreement. The purpose of these conversations is to check how the secondment is going, address any issues and be informed of any changes, including information that is relevant to you or your role on return. You are also responsible for reporting any absences or changes to circumstances to your home organisation line manager in line with the secondment agreement

If all parties are in agreement and see the benefit, a secondment can be extended for a fixed period, provided the relevant approvals are obtained. Please note that some organisations may limit the secondment duration to two years.