We are MHCLG 

We're looking for a technically focused Copilot & Automation Engineer to join our Digital Tools team. You'll design, build and support AI-powered agents and automations using Microsoft Copilot Studio, Power Platform and as you develop, Azure services. You’ll translate business requirements into secure, scalable solutions that automate processes, improve access to information and deliver measurable efficiencies. This is a hands-on engineering role focused on development, integration, governance and continual improvement. While you'll work closely with stakeholders and contribute to requirements gathering, the primary focus is building and deploying robust solutions.

The Digital Tools team is responsible for the delivery, support and adoption of Microsoft 365 technologies across the department. As part of this work we work with colleagues to explore how AI can improve services, processes and ways of working across the department. All staff have access to Microsoft 365 Copilot, creating a unique opportunity to move beyond personal productivity and develop agents, automations and AI-powered solutions that support real business needs.

This role will focus on designing and building those solutions using Microsoft Copilot Studio, Power Platform and related Microsoft technologies. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building, experimenting and learning. Whether developing or improving an agent or exploring emerging Microsoft AI capabilities, you'll help shape how AI is used across the department.

Find out more about our Digital teams and what they are working on through our MHCLG Digital blog.  Please note that MHCLG do not offer visa sponsorship and applicants will need a valid visa for the duration of your employment. 

Job description

• Design, build and deploy AI-powered agents and automations using Microsoft Copilot Studio, Power Platform and related Microsoft technologies.

• Develop integrations between Microsoft 365, business applications, data sources and APIs.

• Translate business requirements into secure, scalable and supportable technical solutions.

• Troubleshoot, optimise and enhance existing agents and automations to improve performance and user experience.

• Participate in stakeholder discussions to understand business challenges and identify automation opportunities.

• Support proof-of-concept activities, pilots and production deployments.

• Contribute to technical standards, reusable assets and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Maintain knowledge of emerging Microsoft AI, automation and Copilot Studio capabilities and apply them where appropriate.

Person specification

• Proven experience building agents and automations using Microsoft Copilot Studio and Power Automate.

• Experience integrating data sources, applications or business systems to deliver end-to-end solutions.

• Good understanding of security, governance and compliance concepts within Microsoft 365.

• Understanding of how solutions are deployed, maintained and supported within an enterprise environment.

• A proactive approach to learning and keeping up to date with emerging AI, automation and Microsoft technologies.

• Ability to work alongside stakeholders, asking the right questions to gather the information needed to design and deliver effective technical solutions.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,004, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government contributes £12,747 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• At MHCLG we offer many benefits that range from tailored career pathways and flexible working to MyLifestyle Childcare Voucher and Cycle to Work Schemes. For more information, please click here. 

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Application and Selection  The application process will be split into 2 stages, testing the following Success Profiles: 

Behaviours ,  Experience , Technical 

Please ensure your CV does not contain any personally identifiable information. 

Note: We do not consider direct CV applications. All applications must be submitted via the provided application link. 

Stage 1: Sift (CV)  

Experience 

Most of our campaigns utilise multiple assessors and so it is possible that each of your answers would be viewed by different assessors.  

In the event that we receive a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift using the lead sift question listed in the advert. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to interview. 

Lead sift question (Technical): In no more than 250 words, please describe an agent that you have built using Microsoft Copilot Studio. Explain the problem you were trying to solve, how you used Microsoft Copilot Studio and any Power Platform capabilities, and your role in designing and developing the solution.

Stage 2: Interview    

• Behaviours: Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Working Together, Changing and Improving

• Experience: Experience questions will be based around the essential skills and criteria as listed in the job description. 

• Technical: Technical questions will be based around the essential skills and criteria as listed in the job description. 

Candidates will be asked to prepare a 10-minute presentation, further details will be provided on invitation to interview. 

Sift and Interview Dates  

Sifting is envisaged to take place the week commencing 10th August 2026, with interview dates to follow.. 

Interviews are currently being held remotely via videocall. This could be subject to change. 

How We Recruit 

Find out everything you need to know before applying here.. 

• Applying 

• Sifting 

• Interview 

• Interview Results & Feedback 

• Reserve List 

• Near Miss 

• Civil Service Grades 

• We are a DCS, RIS & GPTWV employer 

• Reasonable Adjustments 

How to Apply 

What you need to know before applying. 

You must review the following information from the MHCLG Career's Site before submitting your application. This step is essential to ensure your eligibility for the role and that your application is completed correctly. 

• Security Clearance Requirements 

• Civil Service Nationality Requirements 

• Right to Work 

• Civil Service Code and Recruitment Principles 

• CV Declaration 

• Sponsorships 

• Salary and Grade 

• Existing Civil Servants 

• Conflict of Interest 

• Location and Flexible Working 

• Fixed Term Contracts 

• Internal Fraud Database 

• Appeals and Complaints 

Security Clearance Requirements 

National Office: BPSS + SC 

London Office: BPSS + SC  

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window). See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals

• nationals of the Republic of Ireland

• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK

• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)

• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020

• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).