Case Officer Graduate Scheme

A Case Officer Graduate role at the Competition and Markets Authority where you work on investigations, policy, and market analysis to ensure fair competition and protect consumers.

Job summary

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is facing far-reaching changes, as we assume new responsibilities and gain significant powers that ensures we can fulfil our role in supporting the UK’s economy as it continues to grow. The importance of our role means we are always looking for different ways to attract talented individuals. Our graduate scheme, now in its sixth year, offers unrivalled career potential for ambitious graduates.

About the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)

We drive market outcomes that benefits people, businesses, and the UK economy by promoting competitive markets and tackling unfair behaviour. Our work benefits millions of individual people, is high profile, continually evolving and intellectually stimulating with a regular presence in national media and of interest around the world. 

Job description

The Case Officer Graduate Scheme is an exciting springboard opportunity for aspiring graduates to gain valuable experience working alongside other experts across our teams. As a Case Officer on the Graduate Scheme, you will do three 12-month placements in different parts of the CMA – from competition enforcement and consumer protection, to digital markets, policy and strategy. You will contribute to the successful delivery of impactful work, assisting and working on major investigations and studies.

You will work as part of multi-disciplinary teams with our legal, economic, financial and other experts, and contribute to the delivery of high-quality outputs. Upon joining the CMA, you can expect to be involved with a variety of tasks such as project management, drafting, research, analysis, data and records management, as well as stakeholder management and general day-to-day support for a project.

At the same time, you will advance your skills and knowledge through a structured development programme.

Spread over the three years of the scheme, this programme is designed to:

• Expand your knowledge of the CMA – both who does what and how they do it; and

• Build the skills, experience and confidence to progress into more senior roles

After successfully completing the Graduate Scheme, we expect successful candidates to have the skills, knowledge, and experience to consider applying for promotion to Grade 7 roles at the CMA, with a starting salary of £61,300.

Person specification

We are seeking to appoint a cohort of candidates that will thrive at the CMA and provide us with a range of diverse skills and experiences to help us to deliver our mission to make markets work well for UK consumers.

It is essential that you can provide evidence and examples for each of the following selection criteria in your application.

Essential Criteria

• Achieved, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:2 at degree level or similar equivalent, within the last 3 years. [Lead selection criteria]

• Ability to undertake complex analytical work, including gathering and synthesising a broad range of evidence, and applying critical thinking to draw out key conclusions and recommendations. [Lead selection criteria]

• Ability to produce clear, concise, and well‑structured written documents for a range of audiences, including the ability to interpret complex information and present it in accessible, accurate, and coherent language. [Lead selection criteria]

• Strong oral communication skills, including the ability to adapt communication style and content to suit different audiences, including colleagues, senior stakeholders, and external partners.

• Demonstrable administrative and organisational skills that lead to delivering outcomes on time and to the required standard – including strong attention to detail

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team, including through developing hypothesis-led problem solving, and taking a collegiate and collaborative approach.

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture

• Making Effective Decisions

• Communicating and Influencing

• Working Together

• Developing Self and Others

• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £39,500, Competition & Markets Authority contributes £11,443 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

You’ll also get:

• 25 days leave (increasing to 30 days over five years), plus 8 public holidays and an additional day off for the King’s birthday. In addition, you’ll be able to access a wide range of other types of leave as and when you need it, including generous maternity, paternity, shared parental leave and adoption options, as well as paid special leave for volunteering.

• Access to our benefits platform which includes retail discounts, cycle to work scheme and payroll giving. Employees can also sign up for season ticket loans.

• Access to the Civil Service Sports & Leisure, giving discounted gym membership, high street discounts, free access to UK wide attractions and a free Tastecard.

Our Values 

The CMA delivers impactful outcomes for people, business and the UK economy.​ We are Ambitious and Evidence-based, and always strive for Excellence.​ We treat everyone with Respect and are Collaborative and Inclusive.​  

Everything we do is underpinned by the Civil Service values: Honesty, Integrity, Impartiality and Objectivity.