Job Description

Details

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Reference number

435141
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Salary

74,432 - 98,300
External applicants will start on the pay band minimum for the role appointed to, unless they can prove they have exceptional skills in line with the requirements of the role. Internal applicants applying on promotion will usually be appointed to the salary minimum or within 5% of existing salary. Standard pay rules apply for existing civil servants.
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
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Job grade

Other
Actuary Band 2 - 3#

Contract type

Permanent#

Type of role

Analytical


Risk Management

Statistics#

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Part-time#

Number of jobs available

3

Contents

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Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

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10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London E14 4PU / Edinburgh Government Hub Queen Elizabeth House, Edinburgh EH8 8FT

About the job

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Job summary

Do you want an actuarial career with a difference? Where you can have a real impact working with government departments and the wider public sector. If yes, then a career at the Government Actuary's Department (GAD) could be for you.


At GAD our mission is to support effective decision-making and robust reporting within the public sector as the first-choice provider of actuarial and specialist analysis, advice and assurance. The department's work covers valuation work and policy support in relation to insurance and contingent liabilities, pension schemes, financial risk, and social security. We also provide financial modelling and quality assurance.


We offer great working benefits including a world-class pension, flexible working options and a career where your learning and development is taken seriously.


You will be a key consultant advising our general insurance clients. The purpose of the role is to support our engagement and delivery of actuarial advice to help make more effective and informed decisions. The work is significantly more varied than a traditional general insurance actuary role given the public sector context. For example, supporting the client holistically on feeding reserving insights into pricing and cashflow considerations, producing financial statements, adapting to changes in client priorities, wider policy support, or situations where there may be limited data or novel areas of risk where government may act as insurer of last resort.


You can find out more about GAD, our work, the position, and our assessment process in the following recruitment pack: General Insurance Actuary Band 2-3 Recruitment Pack October 2025

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Job description

The role will be based in one of our General Insurance focused teams, although we would expect you to support other teams and undertake a wider variety of work as required (see Key responsibilities 5). Below sets out the range of General Insurance work that GAD undertakes. There is scope for actuaries at GAD to specialise in one area, or to work across multiple areas.


Insurance Provisioning


This team works closely with public sector risk-pooling arrangements (such as the schemes operated by NHS Resolution and the Risk Protection Arrangement for schools).


For work within this team, the role is likely to be concentrated on working for an individual client but the work is varied, interesting, and has purpose, for example working in the best interests of the taxpayer or adapting to new challenges. You are expected to lead on aspects of core annual projects, as well as supporting and/or leading on a range of additional projects.


Core annual projects:


Calculation of the provision for government accounting, which includes:

Producing the year-end IBNR estimates (akin to reserving in the private sector) Supporting the client on known claims estimates Supporting the production of the accounts and liaising with auditors

Cashflow projections and pricing, which includes:

Producing short term cashflow projections to meet government budgetary requirements Supporting annual contribution setting within the arrangement (akin to pricing in the private sector)

Additional projects might include:

Quantifying the impacts of emerging trends and changes to the risk pool Using insights from our work to feed into policy development and wider decision making such as risk prevention measures Supporting client analysis, model development and/or system improvements Developing and implementing process improvements

Insurance policy and contingent liabilities


This work is more focused on supporting government policy in areas where Government acts as an insurer, or with regard to contingent liability management.


The Insurance policy work is varied and can arise from situations where Government addresses gaps in private sector coverage or is otherwise subject to insurance-related risk. Core areas of work involve:

Quantifying and communicating risk Policy development - how insurance arrangements can help meet policy objectives and be structured to reduce risk to government Pricing - calculating premiums and considering how Government should charge for accepting risk

The work may involve consideration of niche, novel or remote risks, working with clients and third parties to incorporate specialist knowledge from subject matter experts.


Previous areas of advice include Nuclear liability risks, the Film and TV production restart scheme and Flood RE.


Disaster risk finance


The UK government seeks to improve outcomes across the world by promoting greater use of pre-positioned finance for disasters.


We partner with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the World Bank and the Centre for Disaster Protection to support low- and middle-income countries and humanitarian organisations to enhance their disaster resilience. Our work includes financial impact modelling, impartial assurance on risk financing strategies and capacity building through training and guidance. Our work helps ensure timely, targeted financial support reaches those most in need when crises occur.


The disaster risk financing mechanisms we provide advice on, include sovereign risk pools, parametric insurance, contingent credit, catastrophe bonds and the development of innovative insurance products to provide pre-arranged financing for disasters.


Examples of projects include: reviewing reinsurance arrangements and premium calculations for regional risk pools, reviewing pricing and payout structures for livestock and agricultural insurance programmes and developing an approach and model to simulate drought risk indicators in sub-Saharan African countries.


There may also be opportunities to become involved in work related to the following areas over time:

Climate Risk - undertaking scenario analysis and financial risk modelling to help public sector bodies understand and manage the risks and financial impacts from climate change Credit Risk - reviewing, or overseeing, credit risk modelling in relation to financial guarantees or loans

The exact area a successful candidate will work in will be discussed prior to any offer being made and will be informed based on the expertise and interests of the individual.


Regardless of the area of work, you will be expected to build client relationships, identify areas where GAD can provide additional support and ensure consistency of approach where appropriate.

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Person specification

1. Leading client engagement on general insurance related actuarial advice to the public sector in one or more of the following key areas:

Risk-pooling arrangements (such as the schemes operated by NHS Resolution and the Risk Protection Arrangement for schools). This includes advice in relation to reserving and pricing but also wider policy advice. Policy areas requiring general insurance expertise where government acts as an insurer or is otherwise subject to insurance-related risk. This includes advice related to policy development, quantifying risk and pricing. Providing actuarial advice to GAD's disaster risk finance clients, including government departments and organisations in the development sector. This includes advice in relation to (re)insurance arrangements, risk pools, financial instruments, cost-benefit analysis, and quality assurance.

2. To develop new client relationships, and to maintain and build on existing client relationships.


3. Manage and oversee project delivery, through collaborating with colleagues to ensure all work is appropriately scoped and delivered in an efficient and timely manner with a focus on providing value for money for our clients. This includes:

Specifying work, monitoring output and providing feedback Effective project management; Working with more junior staff and liaising with colleagues across the organisation; Partnering with clients including business development and client engagement activities

4. The role requires a consistently high level of service to be provided and for work to be undertaken within professional requirements. This includes:

Providing/supporting appropriate quality advice (oral or written) to agreed time-scales and within budget; Complying with checking and peer review procedures; Adapting to changing client needs and balancing conflicting priorities; Complying with all professional actuarial and GAD guidance. Developing both your own skills, and those of junior colleagues to meet the evolving nature of GAD's work

5. To ensure effective and agile co-operation with other teams within GAD, including flexible working across teams as required to meet client demand.


6. To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of role-relevant actuarial and other matters (including meeting all CPD requirements).

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Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:


Managing a Quality Service Seeing the Big Picture Working Together Communicating and Influencing #

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:


Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, IFoA, or equivalent actuarial professional body. (Essential) Detailed knowledge of UK general insurance actuarial concepts and techniques. (Essential)

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 74,432, Government Actuary's Department contributes 21,562 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
As well as competitive salaries, we offer a substantial package of benefits:



Exceptional learning and development opportunities that you can explore alongside your day-to-day work. 25 days annual leave per year, increasing to 30 days after 5 years' service. In addition, we offer 9 days public and privilege days leave per year (pro rata for part time staff) A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% 5 days of paid volunteering leave Up to 9 months maternity leave on full pay + generous paternity and adoption leave Staff reward and recognition bonuses that operate throughout the year. Occupational sick pay Family-friendly policies such as help with caring responsibilities, special leave, generous paid maternity, paternity, and adoption leave. Access to employee assistance programme which offers staff 24/7 confidential support and resources such as counselling, debt guidance and management advice. The opportunity to join a trade union. A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity. Salary advances for travel costs, including annual season tickets and cycle-to-work schemes. Access to the Edenred employee benefits system which offers discounts to popular retailers and access to various useful resources such as financial and savings advice. Complimentary BUPA health check for permanent staff.

Things you need to know

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Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours and Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application sift

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:

A

CV

setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you provide employment history that relates to the essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. A

Personal statement

of up to 500-words explaining how you meet the essential criteria for the role, with particular reference to the criteria provided in the person specification of the JD.

The Civil Service application process has a standardised method for assessing candidates, we strongly recommend that you read the descriptions of the civil service behaviours. Strong applications will present these in the Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR) method.


We will use your CV and Personal Statement to assess the behaviours at sift, plus the Experience and Technical skills listed in the JD.

Stage 2: Panel interview

During the interview you will be assessed on the experience and behaviours listed in the Person Specification and detailed in this advert. The interview will include a presentation, details of which will be sent to those invited to interview. There are likely to be follow-up questions on the Behaviours below leading on from the presentation to ensure the panel gain a rounded picture.

Timelines

Application deadline

: 1200 hrs on 25 November 2025

Shortlisting

: w/c 24 November 2025

Interviews

: w/c 01 December 2025 or w/c 08 December 2025

Interview location

: In office (London, E14 4PU)


Please apply via our recruitment portal below.


As part of the application form process, please submit your CV and supporting statement. Please

do not email

your CV outside of this process as it will not be accepted.


Shortlisting criteria is based on the Person Specification as set out in the Assessment Criteria section of the . Please ensure you provide examples of how you meet the Assessment Criteria; a strong application will also demonstrate that you meet the required criteria that are identified as key for this role. Applications will be shortlisted in line with the essential criteria for the role. The desirable criteria will not be assessed throughout the recruitment process, but will be used in the event of tied scores between candidates. Behaviours will be assessed at sift and interview stage. Candidates who are successful at shortlist will be contacted as soon as possible and advised of the interview process and assessment (exact times and dates will also be confirmed).



A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.


Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.




Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.#

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.#

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:


UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements
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Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.



We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.#

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

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Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.#

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

Name : Recruitment Team Email : recruitment@gad.gov.uk

Recruitment team

Email : recruitment@gad.gov.uk #

Further information

The Government Actuary's Department's recruitment processes are underpinned by the recruitment principles of the Civil Service Commissioner, which outline that selection for appointment be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/ If you feel at any time your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioner's Recruitment Principles, you may make a complaint, by contacting recruitment@gad.gov.uk in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commissioners.


https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/government-actuarys-department