Fixed Term or Permanent Civil Service

[Hansolo191]

I was wondering if anyone can give me some guidance. I've recently started in the civil service grade AO level. But I've recently been accepted for a job EO level in DWP as a work coach. The DWP job is 12 months fixed term and the AO job is permanent.The pay difference is over £7k DWP being higher. I asked if I be eligible for a loan like (secondment) unfortunately I would have to pass probation in order to do this. Another 10 months. So my question is should I leave and start the dwp job as temp or stay in the permanent role but with lower pay.

What’re the opportunities for progression in the location(s) you can work in?

Presumably after passing probation in either role you’ll be eligible to apply for internally advertised vacancies.

Starting the new role would mean starting probation again.

So would consider what skills / experience will help you get to higher paid role.

I would stay. I think DWP is the worst paid of the government departments. Much better waiting for an EO post where you are.

DWP has much better pay than it did after their pay review. I'd stay though and keep applying for permanent EO posts.

Thanks guys.
So the DWP has advertised over 9k maybe more jobs so I feel the competition for permanent roles will be high.
My manager for AO role said there always opportunities to progress as people tend to leave.
I think for EO role you can only apply 6 months after probation.
Tbh Ive always been interested in work coach role. It’s just a big risk.

You could ask if DWP and your home department will allow you to go "on loan".

So when your time with DWP ends, you revert back to AO with your permanent contract with your existing dept.

If not, I would stay as AO/Permanent. Going to a higher grade on a fixed term basis is suicide given the jobs situation right now.

Yea I asked I can’t do this until being a year with them.
I agree it’s suicide with the current climate leaving a permanent job.

As a course of good habit, never apply for a fixed term job.

The uncertainty is not appealing.