ICT3 IT Specialist
Northern Ireland Civil Service ICT3 IT Specialist
Closing Date: 29 August 2026
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Assessment Process |
The assessment process will consist of several stages.
First step is submission of the online application, then completion of the
online aptitude test; an Eligibility Sift of the highest scoring
candidates will follow, and
finally, a competency-based interview. Only those deemed most suitable at each
stage will pass on to the succeeding phase.
•
Submit online application via: NI Civil Service Recruitment Website
• *Online Aptitude Test – completed by all applicants –
see page 21 (Candidate Information Booklet) for more details on how to complete the Mindmill aptitude test.
• Eligibility Sift – Following the online aptitude
test, the top scoring applicants will be assessed against the Eligibility
Criteria (outlined on page 21). Only those candidates who meet the Eligibility
Criteria outlined will progress to the next stage of the competition.
• Interview – The final stage will consist of a competency-based interview – see below for more details.
The Mindmill IT Aptitude test
All applicants MUST complete the online test.
The Mindmill test window is open from 17/08/2026 to 29/08/2026. The application date will close at 9am on Saturday 29th August 2026.
Getting Started with Mindmill
(Please note that this process is separate from your application on the Northern Ireland Civil Service Recruitment website.)- Register for the role via employ-e.mindmill.co.uk under current vacancies.
- Enter and submit your application details.
- Receive a Mindmill email containing a unique link to the assessment.
- Complete the assessment and await feedback from the Northern Ireland Civil Service.
If you believe you may require additional time to complete the Online Psychometric Assessment, please contact support@mindmill.co.uk before taking the test and outline your specific requirements.
To enable us to consider your request, you will need to provide appropriate supporting documentation, such as a medical report, educational psychologist’s report, or other relevant evidence, prior to taking the test. Subject to a review of your requirements, additional time may be granted where appropriate. Please allow up to 36 hours to get your additional time link - make sure to give yourself plenty of time.
Mindmill will provide HRConnect with a list of candidates who have successfully passed the IT Aptitude test. HRConnect will check this against the list of applicants to the NICS. Applicants whose name does not appear on the list from MindMill will not be invited to interview.
Eligibility Criteria
All applicants must
meet either eligibility criterion 1a) or 1b) and 1c) and
have successfully obtained the appropriate standard in the ICT Aptitude test
(as provided by Mindmill).
1a) Have
at least a level 4 qualification in Computing, Software Engineering, or other
discipline relevant to Information Systems and Information Technology.*
OR
1b) Have
successfully completed at least a Level 3 IT apprenticeship in a relevant
IT-related discipline,
AND
1c) Can demonstrate a minimum of one year’s experience contributing to the delivery and support of IT services, including assisting with service improvements and maintaining effective day-to-day operations.
Shortlisting Criterion
Applicants should be aware that after an eligibility sift, should it be necessary to shortlist candidates to go forward to interview, the shortlisting criteria will be based on the Test Scores. Depending on the number of applications, only those candidates who attain the highest score in the IT aptitude test will be invited to interview.
