IPO Ref 303 - B2 Associate Patent Examiner (10 posts, plus reserves)

Candidates to note: In order to capture your employment history and qualification details, please complete the employment history box and qualification section under the 'Your CV' section of the online application form.

Candidates to note: GCSE grade C or above (or equivalent) in Mathematics is required.

All communications will be electronic therefore it is vitally important that you check your Civil Service Jobs account regularly, as well as your spam/junk email folder

How to apply
This recruitment will take the following format.

1. The successful completion of the following online tests:

• Civil Service Judgement Test (CSJT)*
• Civil Service Verbal Test (CSVT)
• Civil Service Work Strengths Test (CSWST)

*to note: all listed behaviours will be assessed during the Civil Service Judgement Test.

The above tests will need to be completed and passed before your application will be seen by the panel.

There are no set time limits for the completion of the tests. Please ensure you complete the tests with enough time to fully complete and submit your application before the closing date

Before starting the tests please note the following:
• There is no time limit on tests, so candidates can take as long as they need, although there is a timeout after 25 minutes of inactivity.

And ensure that:
• Your internet access is suitable for large downloads.
• You do not leave taking your tests to the last minute, as further actions are required after the tests.
• You contact us if you have any special requirements before you take the tests.
• You read the test instructions fully before commencing the tests.

Applicants to note: The deadline for completing the tests is the same as the application deadline: 19/04/2021 at 23:55.

Please ensure you leave yourself enough time to fill out the application after completing the tests.

2. An initial sift to create a shortlist.
This will be based on the evidence you provide for the following Success Profile elements:

Experience
Please provide a 250 word personal statement, evidencing your experience of:

• Applying relevant STEM technical knowledge in practical situations or research.

Technical
It is essential for candidates to demonstrate their technical knowledge in one of the following scientific fields: Chemistry, Biotechnology, any type of engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Medical Physics, Mathematics.

This can be demonstrated by holding, or being on track to hold, at least a 2:2 degree in any of the listed subjects, OR, having equivalent industrial experience in a relevant technical field (5 years or more working in a STEM role where you have had the opportunity to learn, apply and embed technical knowledge in your specialist field).

When providing evidence of your technical knowledge in your specialist field, please detail what you have learnt and how you have applied and embedded this technical knowledge.

Candidates to note: A pre-sift will be carried out by the Recruitment Team to ensure the complete application has been submitted.
PLEASE NOTE: Only complete applications will be seen by the panel.

3. Selection interviews stage.
If invited to interview, you will be assessed on the following Success Profile elements, along with Strength based questioning:

Ability
A drafting assessment activity will be used at interview to assess the candidate’s ability to evaluate written technical information and present clear and concise written decisions.

Technical
Understand and evaluate scientific and technical information and make decisions and reach conclusions quickly and accurately.

Please note: Further information regarding the interview, practical exercise and assessment will be provided in the invite to interview text.

IMPORTANT: Please note CV’s sent direct to the IPO will not be accepted.

Written feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

If you require job-specific information, please contact IPO Recruitment Team.
E-mail: AdminVacancies@ipo.gov.uk

Recruitment Timeline;
Information on this campaigns processing timeline can be found on the attached Candidate Communications Timeline document.

This post is being advertised to Internal, across Government and external candidates at the same time.

Incomplete and/or late submissions will not be accepted or considered.

Should you have any queries or require any assistance in this matter, please contact the HR Recruitment team at adminvacancies@ipo.gov.uk prior to the closing of the post.

Candidates to Note
Any move to the Intellectual Property Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

From 8 June 2020, The Intellectual Property Office is to provide a Fair Processing Notice to all new applicants after they have been successful at interview.

As one aspect of pre-employment screening, personal details (name, National Insurance Number and date of birth) will be checked against the Civil Service Resourcing Extract Internal Fraud database. Anyone included on the Internal Fraud Database will be refused employment unless they can demonstrate exceptional circumstances.

The Intellectual Property Office will, on behalf of the vacancy holder, inform applicants when they are refused employment because of their inclusion in the Internal Fraud database.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Terms & Conditions:
Please note that IPO has updated its terms and conditions of employment as part of Civil Service Reform. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the Terms and Conditions they will adopt should they be successful on application.

Please see the attached Terms and Conditions document.

Voluntary Moves: If your pay (excluding allowances) is above the IPO maximum for the grade it will be capped at the IPO maximum for the grade when you transfer.

OGD loan or permanent transfers: Please note that due to the childcare changes introduced by HMRC in October 2018, employees going on loan/transferring to another government department that were in receipt of childcare vouchers in their previous department will not be able to continue receiving these post transfer.
For more information on the childcare schemes offered by IPO, please contact HRandPayrollTeam@ipo.gov.uk

If moving internally on lateral transfer you will remain on your current base salary. Please note: All allowances are specific of individual roles and may not be transferable.

Diversity Statement
The IPO is an inclusive employer where diversity is respected and differences valued. Our positive approach to diversity allows us to select the most suitable applicants free from bias on factors such as age, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity or religion.

If you require an adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process, then please let the recruitment team know via ; adminvacancies@ipo.gov.uk.

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

The Civil Service recruits by merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. Complaints Procedure: If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, please contact; Paula Brooks, Intellectual Property Office, Concept House, Cardiff Road, Newport, NP10 8QQ. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints/