About the job

Job summary

Make a Difference with Us at the Insolvency Service

The Insolvency Service is a government agency with a big impact. We provide vital services that keep markets fair, the economy strong, and people in financial difficulty supported. 

The opportunity is with our Investigation and Enforcement Services Directorate (IES), where we work tirelessly to ensure fair markets and ethical business practices. We deliver and promote a range of investigation and enforcement activities, both civil and criminal, to support fair and open markets and promote high standards of corporate behaviour.  We work tirelessly to enforce the statutory company and insolvency regimes, maintaining public confidence in those systems and tackling the harm caused to victims of fraudulent activity. 

Here, you can be part of something important, using your skills to make a positive impact!

Inclusive Workplace, Everyone Welcome

We believe in fostering a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute their unique talents. We actively encourage applications from all backgrounds, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

Work Your Way

We offer a variety of work arrangements to suit your needs, including full-time, part-time, job share, and flexible schedules. We value your skills and experience, and we're committed to your development with ongoing training and support.

Find Your Passion

We encourage our employees to get involved in areas they care about. You can contribute to the agency through our network groups, like the Carers Network, Disability & Health, FACES Network Group, Grass Roots, LGBT+, Mind Matters, No Limits, Part Time Workers, The Shed, and Women's Network Group. These groups provide support, community, and opportunities to connect with colleagues who share similar interests. We also believe in giving back to the community, volunteering opportunities are available through our Engagement Network, or we support our colleagues to volunteer to causes they are passionate about

Launch Your Career

The Insolvency Service offers a rewarding and supportive work environment where you can learn, grow, and build a successful career.

Job description

Do you thrive on uncovering the truth? Are you passionate about supporting investigations and making a real impact?

The Insolvency Service is seeking a dedicated Intelligence Officer to join our dynamic team within the Investigation and Enforcement Services Directorate (IES). You'll be at the heart of intelligence collection and dissemination, playing a critical role in supporting the upcoming Companies House Act Reform. Our nationwide team provides crucial intelligence support to both civil and criminal investigations, ensuring the wider agency and external partners have the information they need to succeed.

What You'll Do:

• Empower Effective Investigations:: Craft clear and precise requests to gather information from diverse sources, leaving no stone unturned.
• Develop insightful assessments: Identify and monitor key intelligence subjects and emerging threats, building detailed profiles and assessments with actionable recommendations.
• Forge strategic partnerships: Build and manage crucial relationships with Companies House, collaborating on joint initiatives to tackle financial crime.
• Be an intelligence powerhouse: Demonstrate flexibility and a willingness to take on ad-hoc intelligence tasks and projects, ensuring our team stays ahead of the curve.

Why You'll Love It:

• Make a Difference: Your work directly supports fair markets and protects people from financial harm.
• Be at the Forefront: Be at the heart of a dynamic team leading the charge on Companies House Reform.
• Nationwide Network: Work alongside colleagues across the country, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Growth Opportunities: Hone your research, analysis, and communication skills while contributing to a vital government agency.

Ready to join a team that makes a difference? Apply today!

Person specification

Who We're Looking For:

• Critical Thinker: Challenges assumptions constructively to drive positive outcomes for the team.
• Natural Investigator: Gathers information from diverse sources and analyses it to solve problems.
• Team Player: Thrives in a collaborative environment, working towards shared goals and targets.
• Results-Oriented Go-Getter: Delivers on commitments and thrives in fast-paced environments.
• Time Management Pro: Efficiently manages deadlines while supporting the new Companies House Intelligence Cell.
• Keen Eye for Detail: Possesses a meticulous approach to work, ensuring accuracy.
• Strong Analytical Skills: Analyses and interprets complex information, extracting actionable insights.
• Excellent Communication and Collaboration: Communicates effectively and builds strong relationships with a diverse team and external partners.
• Enthusiasm for Companies House Reform Act: Demonstrates interest in the impact of the Act on investigations. 

Experience in intelligence or investigation is a plus, but we know these valuable skills can be developed in many ways. We're looking for someone with a keen eye for detail and a natural curiosity for uncovering the truth. If you have the passion, drive and qualities we are looking for, we encourage and welcome your application

Essential 

• Experience in a role where you have acquired experience in Intelligence, Investigation or Enforcement 
• To be eligible for this role, you must be able to obtain security clearance. We will be on hand to guide you through this process if offered a role.
• There may on occasion be a need to travel to other office locations, you will need to have the willingness to do so

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £34,399, Insolvency Service contributes £9,287 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Ability and Experience.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete:

• A CV  
• A 750 word personal statement
• A 250 word behaviour statement on "Making Effective Decisions"
• A Civil Service Numerical Test and a Civil Service Verbal test

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Your behaviour statement should be no more than 250 words address the behaviour "Making Effective Decisions"

Your personal statement should be no more than 750 words and should explain how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in "who we're looking for"

After submission of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Verbal Test and a Civil Service Numerical Test 

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 23 May 2024. If you fail to complete the online tests before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the tests will be available when you are invited to take the tests. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website. 

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the CV and Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview. 

We will test your ability, behaviours and experience as part of the sift process, and if successful, you will be invited to a short interview where we will test your behaviours and experience. Full details of the selection process will be made available to shortlisted candidates once the sift has been completed.

Expected Timeline (subject to change) 

• Sift – w/c 27 May 2024
• Interview – w/c 06 June 2024 
• Location - MS Teams  

Your interview will be conducted by video.  Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.  

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of  12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Insolvency Service from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out. 

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. 

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk 

NSV

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

Transforming Workplaces

The Insolvency Service is currently delivering an exciting five-year transformation project that started in April 2022 which will define our future direction supporting a gradual migration to a Regional Centre model combined with smarter ways of working. As part of this, transforming our estate will align us with the government modernisation programmes making The Insolvency Service a great place to work.  

We are letting you know about our future plans because if you are joining the Insolvency Service and are recruited into an office over the next five years that is not one of the Regional Centres, you will be expected to move to one of the Regional Centres in the future. This move would not attract financial assistance.   

The 11 Regional Centres are : Birmingham, Cardiff, Croydon, Edinburgh, Exeter, Ipswich, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Stratford.

Hybrid Working

Insolvency Service operates a hybrid working policy subject to business need, giving people the flexibility to choose when and where they work and collaborate with others.

Individuals are expected to work from one of the office locations stated in the advert to connect with their colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs. There is flexibility to split the working week, spending a minimum of 60% in the workplace, which includes the office, site visits, court etc.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 

Contact Government Recruitment Service via InsolvencyRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. 

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional. 

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. 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.

Nationality requirements

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)

Working for the Civil Service

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.