All vacancies are openly advertised. Vacancies for part qualified/qualified
actuaries are advertised through the Faculty
and Institute of Actuaries.
Other vacancies
Other staff vacancies are currently advertised both internally
and across the Civil Service or via the private sector recruitment
agency CAPITA. Look out in the local press for their recruitment
campaign.
The best of both worlds
The Government Actuary's Department is an exceptional environment:
as it serves government and nation, it has to be effective across
a broad canvas and combine the best elements of a government department
and a private consultancy. In the light of the demands this places
on its staff, the department gives its trainee actuaries exceptional
support.
With its responsibilities towards the public good, the department
also provides tremendous job satisfaction. Millions of people depend
on private pension schemes and public social insurance schemes,
and protecting their interests requires forward-thinking and innovative
forms of analytical vigilance. Given the department's modest size,
this generates a powerful esprit de corps.
The rewards of success are considerable - remuneration is competitive
with private-sector consultancies, and you will deal with high-flyers
in government, in the private sector and, as international co-operation
increases, overseas. The department is divided into two core areas
- the directorates - which deal with public sector pensions and
social security, demography and private pensions policy and regulation.
Each directorate has a number of teams dedicated to particular clients.
These teams vary in size, from just one actuary and a trainee to
a chief actuary supported by several other actuaries and trainees.
To maximise your experience you will typically be moved from one
core area to another after about two years.
Becoming an actuary
Setting out to become a Fellow of the Faculty or Institute of Actuaries
is not to be taken lightly: you will have to pass 15 exams, all
of which may be taken twice a year. Studying will absorb around
20 hours a week, and will require single-minded dedication from
you.
The department is right behind you, though, and will invest in
a comprehensive package of training support. It will not only give
you one day a week on average to study, but will pay for both your
exams and courses, typically taken with a specialist provider of
actuarial training.
GAD's recruitment principle
The Government Actuary's Department's fundamental recruitment
principle is that appointments must be made on merit on the basis
of fair and open competition, as set-out by the civil service commissioner's
recruitment code. This ensures the best available person for the
job is considered on individual merit regardless of race, gender,
or (subject to the requirements of the job) disability.
Joining the team
A career at the Government Actuary's Department will be truly challenging,
and if you make the grade it will also be one of the most satisfying
and rewarding careers you could find anywhere.
No one pretends that the early years spent working at GAD are
not testing, so before you commit yourself you should give the
prospect
very careful thought. Further information on GAD is available from
Simon Bancroft-Rimmer.
Further information
Further information on our application procedures can be obtained
by contacting the Personnel
Office at:
Government Actuary's Department
Finlaison House, 15-17 Furnival St, London EC4A 1AB
We strongly recommend that before applying to GAD you seek further
details of the professional examinations and syllabus from:
The
Faculty and Institute of Actuaries
