Applying for a role in the Civil Service can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to writing those 250-word statements.
Many candidates find this part of the application process to be the hardest. But fear not!
With a solid understanding of the behaviour in question and a good structure, what might initially seem like a weakness can quickly become a strength.
Related Article: 5 Delivering at Pace Example Statements
Understanding "Delivering at Pace" at HEO Level
So, what does "Delivering at Pace" mean at the Higher Executive Officer (HEO) level? At this grade, the emphasis is on managing workloads efficiently while maintaining high standards.
HEOs are expected to handle multiple tasks, prioritise effectively, and ensure that deadlines are met without compromising on quality. This involves not only personal time management but also the ability to motivate and coordinate teams to achieve shared goals.
Compared to lower levels, HEOs must demonstrate a higher degree of autonomy and proactivity in driving projects forward. They need to be resilient, adaptable, and capable of making swift, informed decisions to keep the momentum going.
Structuring Your Statement: The B-STAR Technique
A well-structured statement can make all the difference. One of the most effective methods for structuring your statement is the B-STAR technique, which stands for Belief, Situation, Task, Action, and Result.
Belief: Start by articulating your core belief or philosophy about delivering at pace. This sets the stage and shows your personal commitment to the behaviour.
Situation: Describe a specific scenario where you needed to deliver at pace. This should be a clear, concise depiction of the context you were working in.
Task: Outline the task you were responsible for in this situation. Be specific about your role and the objectives you needed to achieve.
Action: Detail the actions you took to address the task. Highlight how you managed your time, resources, and team (if applicable) to meet deadlines and maintain quality.
Result: Conclude with the outcomes of your actions. Quantify the results where possible and demonstrate the positive impact of your approach.
By following the B-STAR technique, you can ensure that your statement is both structured and impactful. This method not only helps you stay within the word limit but also ensures that you cover all the essential elements that assessors are looking for.
Now that we've covered the basics of the "Delivering at Pace" behaviour at the HEO level and how to structure your statement using the B-STAR technique, let's look at an example statement to illustrate these principles in action...
Check out 50 example statements for all 9 behaviours
250 Word Statement Example
I believe that delivering results swiftly and efficiently is essential for driving progress and maintaining high standards. This belief motivates me to prioritize tasks effectively and ensure my team stays on track.
As a Policy Advisor, I was tasked with developing a new policy framework to address emerging cybersecurity threats. The project had a strict deadline due to an upcoming parliamentary session where the policy needed to be presented.
I outlined the key objectives and broke down the project into manageable tasks with clear deadlines. I formed a cross-functional team, including IT experts, legal advisors, and external consultants, to provide diverse perspectives and expertise.
Recognizing the importance of following proper procedures while encouraging innovative solutions, I ensured that all team members adhered to the established policy development protocols. I facilitated brainstorming sessions to generate creative approaches to complex problems and integrated these ideas into our framework.
I monitored the team's progress closely, using a project management tool to track milestones and identify potential bottlenecks. When conflicting priorities arose, I swiftly reassessed and redistributed tasks to maintain momentum. I maintained open communication with the team, providing support and adjusting workloads as needed to ensure everyone could meet their deadlines.
By fostering a collaborative and structured environment, we developed the policy framework ahead of schedule. It received positive feedback from senior officials and was successfully presented in the parliamentary session. This experience reinforced my belief in the importance of decisive action and efficient project management to deliver high-quality results promptly.
