HEO — Higher Executive Officer
Everything you need to know about applying for HEO roles in the Civil Service: what assessors expect, how behaviours are tested, and grade-specific examples.
What HEO level involves
At HEO level, you are expected to manage your own workload, support junior colleagues, and demonstrate a clear understanding of how your work contributes to team and organisational goals. You should show some independent judgement.
The 9 behaviours at HEO level
Below are all nine Civil Service behaviours with typical word counts and links to grade-specific examples. Most departments ask for 250 words per behaviour at this level.
| Behaviour | Typical word count | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Seeing the Big Picture | 250 | Example |
| Changing and Improving | 250 | Example |
| Making Effective Decisions | 250 | Example |
| Leadership | 250 | Example |
| Communicating and Influencing | 250 | Example |
| Working Together | 250 | Example |
| Developing Self and Others | 250 | Example |
| Managing a Quality Service | 250 | Example |
| Delivering at Pace | 250 | Example |
Scoring expectations at HEO
At sift, your behaviour statements are scored on a scale of 1–7 against the Success Profiles framework. To pass, you typically need to score at least 4 ("Achieved") on each behaviour required for the role.
The difference between a score of 4 and a score of 5 is often specificity. A statement that says "I improved the process" scores lower than one that says "I redesigned the filing system, reducing retrieval time by 75%." Use numbers wherever you can.
How to progress from HEO
Progression from HEO to SEO requires evidence of leading teams or projects, managing stakeholders, and thinking strategically. Start building relationships outside your immediate team and look for cross-departmental opportunities.