Categories
We launched our new vision for A Modern Civil Service that is more Skilled, Innovative and Ambitious in June 2021. The Civil Service Awards categories embody our new vision and each award falls under the following headings:
- Skilled: Investing in skills, championing expertise and strengthening leadership. Reflecting the country we serve and creating opportunities around the UK. Outstanding use of smarter working to make teams effective.
- Innovative: Finding new ways to solve problems to deliver for the public. Showing commitment to new ideas and experimentation, accepting that some ideas won’t work.
- Ambitious: Achieving excellence in project and public service delivery. Making it easy to collaborate and provide a seamless experience for the public.
Core criteria
These criteria are applied to every award category, in addition to the category specific criteria listed below:
- Civil Service Values: Has the nominee or project promoted or demonstrated the civil service values and behaviours set out in the Civil Service Code: honesty, integrity, impartiality and objectivity?
- Above and beyond: Has the nominee(s)’s achievement gone above and beyond their normal job role?
- Measurable benefits: Is the project or programme achieving tangible results?
- Impact: Has the nominee(s) made an impact beyond their immediate team, business area or department?
Excellence in Delivery Award
A Skilled Civil Service
Recognising those who have used their skills and expertise in a range of fields to deliver exceptional outcomes for citizens and made a tangible positive difference to people’s lives. Team or individual award. Nominations should:
- Satisfy the core criteria (see above);
- Showcase exceptional skill or expertise in one or more fields that delivered real citizen impact;
- Be outward-focused;
- Include metrics or other evidence that demonstrates the impact achieved.
Developing and Supporting People Award
A Skilled Civil Service
Recognising excellence across learning, skills development, strengthening capability, and talent management, or demonstrating a highly effective contribution to promoting or improving health and wellbeing within the Civil Service. Team or individual award. Nominations should:
- Satisfy the core criteria (see above);
- Demonstrate the positive impact the nominee has had on those around them for their contribution in people development or health and wellbeing;
- Set a gold standard for people development or health wellbeing in the Civil Service;
- Demonstrate innovative approaches to promoting or measuring positive mental or physical wellbeing.
Diversity & Inclusion Award
A Skilled Civil Service
Recognising those who work to embed diversity and inclusion, driving positive change for our colleagues and making the Civil Service a model, open and transparent employer to better serve the public. Team or individual award. Nominations should:
- Satisfy the core criteria (see above);
- Demonstrate how the nominee drives inclusion in the Civil Service;
- Include specific examples of how the nominee has worked to identify and remove barriers;
- Show how the nominee goes the extra mile to ensure inclusivity in their everyday work.
Best Use of Data, Science, and Technology Award
An Innovative Civil Service
Recognising excellence in the application of data, science or digital technology to solve problems or improve things; celebrating people whose commitment to technological improvements creates measurable outcomes. Team award. Nominations should:
- Satisfy the core criteria (see above);
- Explain how the application of data, science or technology directly helped achieve positive outcomes for citizens;
- Demonstrate new, creative approaches to the use of data, science and technology;
- Reference specific examples of how data, science and technology has supported innovation.
Creative Solutions Award
An Innovative Civil Service
Recognising innovation and creativity and how it translates into real world benefits. Team and individual award. Nominations should :
- Satisfy the core criteria (see above);
- Demonstrate how the application of innovation has impacted on policy and translated into real world benefits.
- Showcase originality and imaginative problem solving while operating within parameters of department’s policy and value for money
- Showcase innovative, creative approaches to working towards a shared goal.
Evaluation and Analysis Award
An Innovative Civil Service
Recognising development in the areas of evaluation and analysis for improved insights and to better inform our work. Team award. Nominations should:
- Satisfy the core criteria (see above);
- Demonstrate how the nominee embraces new approaches to evaluation and analysis;
- Explain how evaluation has led to clearer insights and improved working;
- Show a commitment to continued progress in the evaluation space.
Collaboration Award
An Ambitious Civil Service
Recognising excellent collaboration that spans the boundaries between administrations, government departments, agencies and bodies. Team award. Nominations should:
- Satisfy the core criteria (see above);
- Show how the nominee has successfully developed relationships spanning internal Civil Service boundaries, or with organisations in the public, private or third sector either domestic or international;
- Explain the benefits and impact of the partnership on the project’s end goal;
- Explain how the nominee has successfully implemented a collaborative approach to their work and the impact of this;
Programme of the Year Award
An Ambitious Civil Service
Recognising exceptional achievement from a programme anywhere across the Civil Service. Team award. Nominations should:
- Satisfy the core criteria (see above);
- Explain the impact of the programme on citizens, service users or audiences;
- Show how the nominee has embraced innovative approaches and delivery mechanisms to achieve the best results;
- Demonstrate exceptional programme management, including stakeholder management to enable successful delivery.
Delivering for Citizens Award
An Ambitious Civil Service
Recognising those who have public service at the centre of delivery; including efficiency and ensuring value for money, actions which result in better outcomes for citizens, and demonstrating world class service to the public. Team award. Nominations should:
- Satisfy the core criteria (see above);
- Explain the inspiration and motivation behind the nominee’s work to deliver for citizens;
- Showcase effective and targeted positive impact of public service;
- Demonstrate how the nominee’s actions have contributed to increasing the reputation of the Civil Service.
Rising Star Award
Recognising the potential of someone in the first five years of their Civil Service career. Individual award. Nominations should:
- Satisfy the core criteria (see above);
- Demonstrate the nominee’s potential to excel in their future career;
- Take a holistic view of the nominee – their work, relationships with others, qualities that will help them flourish;
- Reference specific achievements of the nominee.
Cabinet Secretary’s Outstanding Leader Award
Recognising individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, regardless of grade or role. Individual award. Nominations should:
- Satisfy the core criteria (see above);
- Demonstrate exceptional leadership at any level;
- Demonstrate how the individual has led by example and inspired those around them;
- Demonstrated how their leadership has had a direct impact on delivery for citizens.
Prime Minister's Award for Exceptional Public Service
Recognising someone at Grade 6 or below who has performed exceptionally, going above and beyond the call of duty to make a tangible difference to our nation and the lives of its citizens. Individual Award. Nominations should:
- Satisfy the core criteria (see above);
- Celebrate exceptional achievement in any area;
- Include specifics and a measurable impact;
- Demonstrate how the nominee went the extra mile to make a difference.
Please note, nominations for the Prime Minister's Award for Exceptional Public Service will be selected by our judges, from a pool of outstanding nominations from the wider award categories.