Recruitment Framework for Development
Framework Description
The Recruitment Framework for Development is a National Framework Partnership (NFP) framework for recruiting professionals into development roles in the public sector. It is a conventional framework with a fixed roster of recruitment suppliers, not a Dynamic Purchasing System, and it ends on 11 December 2026. Call-offs run through NFP's four-step e-sign process.
Context & Use Case
Public bodies with development programmes, such as housing and regeneration schemes, use it to recruit staff into development roles. Buyers can select an agency directly or run a mini-competition. As the framework runs only until 11 December 2026, new call-offs are likely to be short-notice requirements, such as covering a vacancy on a live scheme, while buyers plan for the next arrangement.
Scope of Services
Executive search for senior development roles Temporary and permanent staffing Candidate screening and selection Compliance and background checks Recruitment strategy and workforce planning advice
Lots
See framework link
Who Can Apply
Suits recruitment agencies with a record of placing development professionals in public sector organisations. Applications for the roster are closed and the framework ends on 11 December 2026, so agencies not on it cannot join and should look to the replacement.
Buyer Benefits
Development skills are scarce, and a missing project manager can stall a housing programme. Buyers value quick access to agencies that already know these roles and the candidate market, and the e-sign call-off lets them engage one within days rather than running a separate procurement.
Next Steps
Agencies should check the NFP framework page for a successor before 11 December 2026, and read any tender documents as soon as they appear so the deadline does not catch you out. Prepare fill-rate data, time-to-hire figures and examples of development placements with public bodies, as these are what a recruitment tender typically asks for.
How Athena Can Help
Recruitment frameworks are usually won on evidence of fill rates, candidate quality and margin. When NFP re-procures this one, Athena's bid writing services can turn your placement data into persuasive responses and set a fee structure that wins.
Our framework registration work tracks when the successor opens and manages the submission, and our public sector recruitment bids support extends to development recruitment tenders from other public bodies, from the bid/no-bid decision to final submission.
