GSE Profession
Induction Pack
Glossary / Jargon Buster
This page provides access to the Glossary / Jargon Buster that forms part of the GSE Induction Pack. We have designed this table to make it easy for new members to look up terms and phrases they might not have heard before joining the Profession. This table should help members, both new and old, navigate the terms, acronyms, and jargon frequently used in the GSE Profession. This will make the Profession more accessible and reduce the challenges faced by new members when joining.
For general terms that are used outside of the GSE Profession, please use the Civil Service Acronym Buster, which can be accessed here.
To use the Glossary / Jargon Buster, you can either scroll the table, or you can use the search bar below. Results are filtered automatically whilst you type.
About the Induction Pack
The GSE Induction Pack is designed to help new and existing members get the most out of being a GSE Member. It provides members with useful tools, makes them aware of the communities you can join, explains key terms, provides details on who to contact for scientific and engineering expertise, and helps you to become more involved.
| Word / Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| GOS / GO-Science | Government Office for Science |
| GSE | Government Science & Engineering |
| GSEP | Government Science & Engineering Profession |
| GSEPT | Government Science & Engineering Profession Team |
| Profession | Profession (capitalised) refers to the GSE Profession in this context, but other government professions exist |
| HoSEP(s) Deputy HoSEP(s) |
Head(s) of Science and Engineering Profession Deputy Head(s) of Science and Engineering Profession |
| GCSA | Government Chief Scientific Advisor - currently Sir Patrick Vallance |
| CSA(s) Deputy CSA(s) |
Chief Scientific Advisor(s) Deputy Chief Scientific Advisor(s) |
| CS | Civil Service / Servant |
| SCS | Senior Civil Service / Servant |
| S&E | Science & Engineering |
| SR SR21/SR 2021 |
Strategy Refresh or Spending Review 2021 Strategy Refresh (accessible here) |
| STEM STEM Secondary School Challenge |
Science Technology Engineering and Maths Science Technology Engineering and Maths Secondary School Challenge is an outreach programme, you can find out more here. |
| x-Gov x-HMG |
Cross/Across Government Across Her Majesties Government |
| XWH / X-WH | Cross/Across Whitehall |
| GDPR | General Data Protection Regulation |
| SAC GESAC |
Science Advisory Council Group Evidence Science and Analysis Committee |
| IP / IPO | Intellectual Property / Intellectual Property Office |
| D&I | Diversity and Inclusion |
| DIAG | Diversity and Inclusion Action Group |
| DIAG-WWG | Diversity and Inclusion Action Group – Women’s Working Group |
| DIAG-EMWG | Diversity and Inclusion Action Group – Ethnic Minority Working Group |
| DIAG-DWG | Diversity and Inclusion Action Group – Disability Working Group |
| DIAG-SMWG | Diversity and Inclusion Action Group – Social Mobility Working Group |
| L&D | Learning and Development |
| SAT | Skills Assessment Tool which can be registered for here and accessed here. |
| S&T | Science and Technology |
| S&E | Science and Engineering |
| Porosity | A term used to reflect the Government Reform goal to increase the diverse interchange routes to enter government, e.g. inward/outward secondments |
| LPG | Learning Platform for Government |
| RSB | Royal Society of Biology |
| RSC | Royal Society of Chemistry |
| IoP | Institute of Physics |
| IET | Institute of Engineering and Technology |
| ICE | Institute of Civil Engineering |
| IMechE | Institute of Mechanical Engineering |
| IChemE | Institute of Chemical Engineering |
| BCS | British Computer Society |
| IMA | Institute of Mathematics and its Applications |
| 9BG | 9 Box Grid for talent/career conversations |
| CSADS | Civil Service Accelerated Development Schemes |
| FLS | Future Leaders Scheme |
| SLS | Senior Leaders Scheme |
| META | Minority Ethnic Talent Association |
| DELTA | Disability Empowers Leadership Talent |
| HPDS | High Potential Development Scheme |
| IDP | Individual Development Programme |
| TM | Talent Management |
| WIG | Whitehall Industry Group |
| DAS | Direct Appointment Scheme |
| SEFS | Science & Engineering Fast Stream |
| CSFS FS |
Civil Service Fast Stream Fast Stream |
| FSer | Fast Streamer The participants enrolled in the CSFS. |
| FSBs | Final Selection Boards |
| FSAC | Fast Stream Assessment Centre |
| MPR | Mid Posting Review A formal light touch review held at the middle point of a year-long posting (i.e. at the six-month mark). Six-month postings don’t have an MPR. |
| EPR | End Posting Review The formal performance review held at the end of each FS posting. The objectives agreed between FSer, TDM, and AM at the beginning of the posting are evaluated here. |
| DTA | Development Trajectory Assessment The mid scheme assessment (undertaken by SEFS FSers at the end of their second posting). It is designed to assess a FSer’s current performance progress in advance of the FSA. |
| FSA | Final Scheme Assessment The final assessment all FSers undertake to determine whether they have successfully completed the CSFS. |
| FS STN FS S&T Network |
Fast Stream Science & Technology Network Established in March 2020, it is a science, technology, and engineering-based community with over 150 members, ran by Fast Streamers for Fast Streamers. More details can be found here. You can sign up to their mailing list here and get in contact via their network mailbox. |
| TDM | Talent Development Manager A FSer’s Fast Stream manager based in the Cabinet Office. A TDM is responsible for pastoral care and is the primary contact for a FSer on anything related to CSFS. A TDM stays with a FSer throughout their time on the programme. |
| AM | Activity Manager The day-to-day line manager who has direct oversight of the FSer during their posting. The AM works for the host department or organisation receiving a FSer. A FSer gets a new AM for each posting undertaken. |
| Comms | Communications |
| Blog | The GSE’s blog, which can be accessed here. |
| GOV.UK | The GSE’s gov.uk page, which can be accessed here. |
| KH | Knowledge Hub |
| NL | Newsletter |
| PN | Press Notice |
| Social | Social Media – such as Twitter, LinkedIn |
| IC | Internal Communications |
| EA | External Affairs |
| STAR | Situation, Task, Actions, Result |
| OASIS | Objective, Audience, Strategy, Implementation, Scoring |
| CTA | Call to Action |
| KPI | Key Performance Indicator |
| PR | Public Relations |