About the job

Job summary

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is one of the largest Government Departments and one of the country’s biggest organisations. Almost every individual and business in the UK is a direct customer of HMRC. Whilst HMRC is primarily known for the collection of taxes and other financial concerns, HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service (FIS) is responsible for the department’s civil and criminal investigations. FIS is home to a wide range of people with a variety of skills and professional backgrounds – including accountants, cybercrime specialists, criminal justice professionals, tax professionals and operational delivery support teams to name but a few. 

See what it’s like to work at HMRC: find out more about us or ask our colleagues a question. Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert.

Job description

Within FIS sits the Strategic Exports and Sanctions Enforcement Team who are responsible for enforcing export licences concerning military, dual-use goods, and counter proliferation (CP) activity. We are also responsible for enforcement of Sanctions, including Russian Sanctions.  

The work of the team is complex, interesting, and rewarding. FIS Strategic Export & Sanctions Enforcement Team fulfils the principal export control enforcement function on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade, the UK Export Licensing Authority.  

This is an exciting opportunity to join the FIS Strategic Export & Sanctions Enforcement Team.  You will be working closely with 60+ individuals based in Stratford, Croydon, and Manchester Regional Centres. The role of this joint team is to detect breaches of UK export controls, other counterproliferation (CP) legislation, including trade sanctions, and take appropriate enforcement action to promote compliance within the UK exporter community. This will include disrupting illicit attempts to procure strategic goods from the UK and where appropriate reporting cases to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for consideration of criminal proceedings. The team are growing this year to deliver against the UKs commitment to deliver increased compliance and enforcement of the measures aimed at denying Russia the benefits of G7 economies. 

The team are responsible for the criminal enforcement of imported/exported sanctioned goods, along with new Trade Services sanctions including management consulting, accounting, public relations, IT consultancy (including the design of IT systems and software applications), architectural services, engineering, advertising, auditing, Internet and monitoring services. 

Sanctions enforcement is one of the primary focuses for the team and is part of a X-Whitehall approach. The workload has significantly increased over recent years due to a raft of new sanctions legislation being introduced. The team is growing to meet the demands of the increased workload. 

As a Higher Investigation officer, you will be responsible for the delivery of complex criminal investigations that generate deterrent impact. Developing your people, increasing engagement & deploying resources in the right place at the right time to deliver against stretching targets are key to success in the role. You will have excellent communication skills with the ability to rapidly analyse large amounts of information and render this into understandable formats and reports. 

You will work with or handle sensitive intelligence developing it to identify opportunities to disrupt illicit procurement of strategic goods from the UK including seizure action; preparation of cases for intervention by FIS - Strategic Exports and Sanctions Enforcement Investigations where ultimate referral to the CPS is envisaged and/ or referral to the Enforcement of Strategic Exports and Sanctions Team (Policy) for potential compound penalty settlements.  

Working closely with HMG partners engaged in Counter Proliferation work at an operational level and represent HMRC at Counter Proliferation related cross Government meetings. You will interact with a wide number of internal and external stakeholders including the Department for Business and Trade, Border Force, Police, National Crime Agency, Solicitors, Crown Prosecutors and colleagues from Other Government Departments and Agencies engaged in counter proliferation work. 

Person specification

As a Higher Investigation Officer (HIO) engaged on Counter Proliferation duties within Strategic Exports and Sanctions Enforcement you will be expected to:

• HO Criminal Investigators may be asked to take on the role of a front-line manager (FLM), Practical Training Officer (PTO), Disclosure Officer or Case Worker. 
• Responsible for the direction and focus of criminal investigations and or intelligence development work undertaken by the case team. Be accountable for decisions and activities undertaken during investigations. Decisions will be subject to scrutiny and inspection by Senior Investigation Officers, the Court System, and external authorities.
• Respond to notifications of exports of concerns as part of FIS - Strategic Exports and Sanctions Enforcement on call responsibilities.
• Undertake a wide range of desk-based duties, including the analysis of material, preparation of written material and official documents, including Search Warrants and Production Order applications. Compiling high quality case reports and evidential bundles for submission to the relevant prosecutor.
• Undertake the role of lead Disclosure Officer / Reviewing Officer in relation to reviewing and revealing material, created, or obtained during an investigation, to the prosecutor in line with legislation.
• Lead operational activities such as search of premises, seizure of goods and detention of goods. Dynamically apply laws, always adhering to legislation and policy. Lead briefing and de-briefing activities to identify improvements and best practice, sharing that knowledge appropriately.
• Attend court to give evidence and/or act as disclosure officer in criminal prosecutions and/or financial recovery hearings. 
• This role can, at times be physically demanding and applicants are required to have an appropriate level of fitness in order to obtain an occupational health fitness certificate and pass Level 3 officer safety training (OST) which is a compulsory element of the role.  

Essential Criteria

• The successful candidate will be able to effectively prioritise conflicting demands, work at pace, flexibly and under pressure, make effective decisions and ensure deadlines are adhered to.
• Communicating confidently along with the ability to challenge is another key requirement. Prospective candidates will be expected to demonstrate that they are comfortable operating at this level in a fast-moving dynamic environment.
• Demonstratable leadership, taking accountability for decisions made and role modelling inclusivity and professional standards.

Qualifications

This role requires recent criminal justice experience as a law enforcement professional working in operational/intelligence development work. Applicants must be accredited criminal justice professionals or intelligence analysts holding one or more of the following qualifications or equivalent:       

• BTEC Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Enforcement (Criminal Investigation) or equivalent   
• University of Portsmouth CFPAB Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist   
• University of Northumbria CFPAB Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist  

Candidates holding an equivalent, but non-HMRC accredited qualification, will be expected to undergo full Criminal Justice training within HMRC and pass a Training Assessment Period to gain Authorised Officer status in HMRC.     

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%.

Find more about HMRC benefits in 'Your little extras and big benefits handbook' for further information or visit Thinking of joining the Civil Service.

Flexibility Payment

This post attracts a Level 2 Flexibility Payment (FP) that is paid monthly with salary. This FP allows HMRC flexibility to change your work pattern, at short notice, to meet business needs. 

You will be expected to undertake periods of ‘on call’. You will also be expected to work additional hours, at weekends and outside your normal working hours/days (including bank holidays). 

In applying for a position and accepting the FP you agree that you can and will meet those attendance requirements. 

FP levels are reviewed annually – on a business need and personal basis – and may be subject to change. 

If you currently receive the Flexibility Payment which may include Transition Protection and/or a Maintained Pension Value, moving to a new role may affect your payments. 

Note: Payment of FP is dependent on successful completion of role specific training (if required).

You will not receive Flexibility Payments until you have successfully completed Phase 4 of Foundation Training. This usually takes about six months from when you take up duty*. You will then become eligible for Level 1a and expected to deliver the attendance required by this level. 

You will receive payment a Level 1a until you successfully complete your Training and Assessment Period (TAP) at the end of Foundation Training. This usually takes about 18 to 24 months from when you take up duty*. You will then become eligible for Level 2 (your Level 1a payments will stop) and expected to deliver the attendance required by this level.

*Timescales are estimates and not guaranteed. They will vary depending on course availability and when you are ready to complete your TAP. We will confirm your course dates when you take up duty.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

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

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a name blind CV, outlining previous relevant experience (within the last 5 years) and demonstrating recent criminal justice knowledge. Details of qualifications should be provided in the CV, together with a Personal Statement (maximum 500 words), outlining how you meet the Essential Criteria detailed above and what you can bring to the role.

Candidates not holding a relevant qualification will not be sifted.

A sift will be undertaken on your CV and personal statement against how you meet the essential criteria with successful candidates being invited to interview.

During the panel interview you will be asked the following:

An experience-based question in relation to the role to further demonstrate your skills and knowledge.

Three behaviour-based questions to explore in detail what you are capable of. The behaviours we will assess you against are:

Leadership, Making Effective Decisions and Working Together.

Lead Behaviour: Leadership.

We reserve the right to raise the score required at any stage of the process in order to manage numbers.

Interview dates to be confirmed. 

A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles – if this applies to you, we’ll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.

Eligibility

To check that you are eligible to apply, review this eligibility information

Important information for existing HMRC contractual homeworkers:

Please note that this role is unsuitable for contractual homeworkers due to the nature and/or requirements of the role.

Reasonable Adjustments 

We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process because of a disability, condition, or impairment. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate. 

If you need a reasonable adjustment or a change to be made so that you can make your application, review this information on reasonable adjustments, and contact hmrcrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible.

Diversity and Inclusion

At HMRC we are committed to creating a great place to work for all our colleagues and creating an inclusive and respectful environment that reflects the diversity of the society we serve.

Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success and we welcome applications from all people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role. We’re committed to creating a great place to work for all our colleagues here at HMRC. We want everyone to feel valued and supported to achieve their potential at HMRC.

For more information on how we make this happen, review this information on our culture and values

Applications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.

We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible after considering operational and customer service needs. We can’t guarantee that we can meet all requests to work flexibly, as agreement will be subject to business ability to accommodate, and any request to work a more flexible arrangement should be made prior to your acceptance of the provisional offer.

Customer facing roles in HMRC require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement, this will be tested as part of the selection process. 

The Civil Service runs 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. 

Locations 

HMRC has a presence in every region of the UK. For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations.

Security Update

For more information on the level of security checks we will carry out, review this information on security checks 

Additional Security Information

Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Developed Vetting (DV) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for DV is 10 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.

Further Information

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences.

Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application/s will be withdrawn from the process. 

Duplicate applications for the same vacancy will also be withdrawn.

Transferring into HMRC from Civil Service If you are currently working for an ‘Other Government Department’ (OGD) and would like to consider the impact on your pay when joining HMRC, please see the attached document "Combined T&C and OGD Pay English”, found at the bottom of this advert. Further information on staff transfers can be found on gov.uk

Problems during the application process 

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

If you think you’ve made a mistake on a short application form (e.g. you’ve ticked the incorrect eligibility box), please contact hmrcrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk at least two working days before the vacancy closes. After this, we won’t be able to reopen your application.   

Please use the subject line to insert appropriate wording e.g. Please re-open my application - 333543 & vacancy closing date 22/01/2024. Please note that we cannot amend or re-open your application if you have submitted your full application in the interests of fair and open recruitment.

For reasonable adjustments queries or requests, please see details within reasonable adjustments section above.

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 developed vetting (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.