About the job

Job summary

The successful candidate will operate as a Surveillance and Investigations Officer within the  Organised Crime Partnership. The OCP was created with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) 20 years ago, and following the outstanding success in London, was replicated in 2021 between NCA and Merseyside Police. The OCP form a fully integrated surveillance syndicate, bringing together the capabilities, assets and experience of the NCA, Metropolitan Police Service and Merseyside Police. Our core business is carrying out proactive covert operations against the distribution of firearms and class 'A' drugs, as well as tackling the resulting money laundering.

To learn more about this role, and the Investigator and Surveillance Organised Crime Partnership Team, please register your interest for the following event:

At 16:00 on Monday 11th March 2024 we will be hosting a MS Teams event where you can hear from NCA Officers working in the team and be given the opportunity to ask questions about the role and what it’s like to work in the Investigator and Surveillance Organised Crime Partnership Team.

To register your interest in attending, please email central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk with the subject header NCA OCP Recruitment Event 11/03/24

Job description

• Work within a team of NCA/Police investigators and intelligence officers to develop intelligence and build evidence to support investigations against serious crime.
• Participate in investigations where covert tactics, confidentiality, sensitive intelligence, and surveillance may provide the basis for tactical activity.
• Required to deploy as part of a team in an operational environment, carrying out foot, mobile and static surveillance duties.
• Required to demonstrate flexibility in their working patterns, there is a published rota which includes weekend working and it is common to need to work extended and unsocial hours.
• Be able to build a case file for prosecution, and to be part of a team taking a case through the judicial process to prosecution.
  Demonstrate the highest levels of integrity.

Please note:
Individuals who currently hold equivalent to PIP2 are still eligible to apply and will be assessed upon arrival to identify training requirements.

National Crime Agency Guidance for Applicants
The National Crime Agency requires all criminal investigators to hold accreditation at one of the relevant levels of the Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP). PIP is an accredited programme for Detectives and Criminal Investigators, which is owned by the National Police Chiefs Council and governed by the College of Policing.

The post you are considering applying for requires current minimum accreditation at PIP2 - operational competence in serious and complex investigations.
To be eligible to apply you will be required to demonstrate PIP2 accreditation or an equivalent recognised qualification/accreditation in investigative crime issued by a Government body.

You will need to demonstrate the following and be able to exhibit operational competence at PIP2 through:

• Current and valid certification of accreditation from a Home Office Force or Law Enforcement Agency, PSNI or equivalent from Police Scotland or evidence from a relevant and competent authority such as HR unit or Force Learning and Development unit.
• Evidence for PIP2 should consist of assessment and verification of the PIP level Portfolio and continuing accreditation within the previous 24 months.
• Alternative pathway for those officers who became Detectives before PIP (2005) is for completion of the Initial ten week CID training course and a career history (as outlined in the CV) which shows continuation of criminal investigation activity in Force within the previous 24 months.

All evidence provided may be subject to confirmation with previous employers, training providers and accrediting or awarding bodies. Any evidence provided will be assessed by the Accreditation Panel and a decision on whether a candidate’s qualifications/accreditation's meet the standard required will be notified to the advertising manager.
If the panel assessment is that you do not meet the required level then your application may be withdrawn as you do not meet the essential criteria as specified in the job advert.
Information provided in your application pertaining to accreditation's or equivalent, related courses, and experience in investigation work must be dated. Failure to do so may render your application invalid.

It is an essential requirement for successful candidates to pass a five day Officer Safety Training course (OST).

Applicants are urged to give consideration to whether this is achievable prior to applying. The OST combines cognitive input, armed and unarmed defence theory and practical techniques and, as such, requires a level of physical exertion due to the nature and repetition of the drills. The practical techniques include use of body weapons, movement and positioning, strikes (armed/ unarmed) blocks, restraint and control.We will expect officers attending the course to have a standard of physical fitness. Progressive full body warm-ups are conducted each day to minimize risk of injury to the officer. It is expected that the officer is capable of a ground descent and ascent, unaided and within a reasonable timeframe. This is important both individually and in team tactics. Candidates must pass the OST during the first 6 months of starting in the Investigator role. Failure to do so would mean you would not be able to continue in the operational Investigator role and your employment with the NCA will end. Barring any exceptional circumstances the NCA would not seek to find you an alternative role within the agency. An officer who passes the OST will still be required to successfully pass their 12 month probation period to ensure continued employment with the NCA.

Travel may be required for this role, for periods of over a week, anywhere in the UK on occasions.

***To be considered, you will need to successfully complete SC Enhanced clearance before commencing the role.***

Person specification

Responsibilities

You will be working closely with other NCA departments and partner agencies to identify threats from criminality and work in a challenging environment to pursue offenders. Using innovative approaches and ground breaking techniques you will be making decisions which help disrupt and bring to justice criminals who present the highest threat to the UK. Using the full range of covert operational tactics. You will work within a team of NCA and Polce investigators and intelligence officers to develop intelligence and build evidence to support investigations against serious crime, the illegal supply of firearms, drugs and related money laundering offences. This is a fast paced and high-pressured environment that brings significant results to protect our communities. We are looking for experienced officers, PIP2, ideally accredited surveillance and advanced driving qualifications, however will consider those who fulfil the essential criteria with a willingness to complete a surveillance and advanced driving course.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £38,560, National Crime Agency contributes £10,435 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, Experience and Technical skills.

 If you wish to apply for this vacancy, you must submit your application by 23:55 on Sunday 17th March 2024.

Sift Process 

You will be asked to complete a CV as part of the application process Your CV should set out your career history including training and qualifications, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure that each entry of your career history also has a few sentences outlining a description and the key elements of that role, and that you provide reasons for any gaps within the last two years. Please ensure the dates of any accreditations you are relying on are entered onto the CV. Experience criteria can also be assessed from CV.

• CV - Current/Active PIP2 or an equivalent recognised qualification/accreditation in investigative crime issued by a Government body.
• 4 x Technical/Experience skills via a 250 word Statement of Suitability per criteria. 

For further application guidance please visit https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/careers/applying-and-onboarding

Once submitted your application will be acknowledged by the Government Recruitment Service.

 Please note depending on the volume of applications a Longlist at sift may be conducted on following criteria:

• An in-depth knowledge and use of relevant legislation (CPIA, RIPA, Police Act) affecting operational agency activity.

Candidates must pass this criteria for their application to be progressed.

A panel will then assess your application to select those demonstrating the best fit for the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the criteria set out in the Entry Criteria section.

Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application.

Sift results are expected to be released w/c Monday 8th April 2024.

Interview Details 

You will then be asked to attend an interview in order to have a more in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence. 

There will be 1 round of interview, comprising of the following:

• 2 x Behaviours Hypothetical / Competency questions
• 4 x Technical Hypothetical / Competency questions

Interviews will take place throughout April and May 2024 - locations to be confirmed. Please be advised that the type of interview (eg. virtual/face-to-face) may be subject to change and successful candidates will be notified of this prior to attending. However the interview is conducted, the interview criteria will remain as detailed within this advert.

The above sift and interview dates are an indicative timeline.

Should you be successful at sift but cannot attend on the interview date(s) listed the recruitment team cannot guarantee an alternative date. Please contact the recruitment team.

Full details of the assessment process will be made available to shortlisted candidates.

Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. Any instances of plagiarism including copying of examples/answers from internet sources will result in a withdrawal of your application. Further action, including disciplinary action, may be considered in such cases involving internal candidates. Providing false or misleading information would be contrary to the core values of honesty and integrity expected of all Civil Servants.

Interview Outcome 

Candidates will be alerted of the outcome of their interview via their CS Jobs Portal.  We will be retaining a candidate pool of successful applicants to draw from as vacancies arise for up to 12 months.

If your application is successful and we are unable to offer you a post immediately, you will be invited to join our reserve list. If over the next 12 months we are able to offer you a position, we will contact you as soon as possible. 

Once we make you an offer you will then go through our vetting and pre-employment checks processes.

 All Appointments will be made in location merit order. 

The NCA is a law enforcement agency & as such we are part of the Criminal Justice System. Therefore if you are going into an operational role we need to be aware if any of our officers have, either before they join us or afterwards, any of the following:

• Any criminal conviction (including by Court Martial), or caution or fixed penalty notice for disorder or theft;
• Any adverse judicial findings;
• Any charges or summonses where the proceedings are not complete;
• Any misconduct or gross misconduct findings or where proceedings are not complete.

You will be asked to complete a declaration form covering the above if offered a role with the NCA. 

Each case will be considered on its merits and a positive declaration does not automatically mean that your application will not be progressed. However, should you fail to disclose a relevant matter then your application or employment will be adversely affected. If in doubt, please declare it at this stage.

Multi-Location

Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be appointed in merit order for each location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.

Please be aware that you can be posted to any location that you put in your preferences. If you would only like to be posted to one location, please confirm one location only. If you are posted to a location that you have requested and you do not accept that location, you may not be offered another role.

Please note, only advertised location can be offered. Notes populated in a free text box will not be taken into consideration.

Near Miss

If you are not found appointable at the advertised grade you may be offered the lower grade role if you are considered to meet the skills, experience and behaviours for the lower level. The benchmark for appointing to the lower grade is set at the start of each campaign. All offers will be made in merit.

If you are found appointable at the higher grade but there are no positions available you may be offered an appointment at the lower grade.

Hybrid Working

Here at the NCA we have a hybrid working arrangement in place enabling officers to work a proportion of their role remotely. Eligibility and the degree of home working will vary depending on the requirements of the role. Further details can be discussed at offer stage.

Reasonable Adjustment

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all. As part of our application process you will be prompted to provide details of any reasonable adjustment to our recruitment process that you may need. If you have a disability or long-term condition (a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long term effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities, 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 ncarecruitment.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.

Inclusion and Accessibility

We are proud to be an inclusive, equal opportunities employer. As a Disability Confident Leader we are committed to ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly throughout the recruitment process. For details of the available group please visit https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/careers/benefits-and-support

In order to monitor the effectiveness of the National Crime Agency’s Diversity & Inclusion strategy, the NCA require certain personal details about you on submission of your application. Please note that this will be treated in confidence and will not impact your application. You will be asked to complete an E-consent survey asking for permission to share this data with the NCA to be used for statistical/monitoring purposes only, refusal of consent to share the information will not impact your application.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact ncarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Additional Information 

• The NCA is a 24/7 organisation, and working patterns must support business requirements. Some roles may require you to respond at short notice or outside of core hours.
• Individuals will be required to undertake and pass a substance misuse test as part of pre-employment checks.
• Successful candidates may be required to undertake a medical. If required, the medical will take place in either London or Warrington. Unfortunately, travel costs will not be reimbursed.
• If you are an internal candidate who has passed interview but is undergoing an internal investigation or have a written warning in place preventing a post move you may not be able to be posted until this investigation is concluded or restriction lifted. You will remain on the reserve list for a max of 12 months.

VETTING REQUIREMENTS SC

All security clearances require you to provide evidence of your UK footprint where you have been physically present in the UK.

The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years.

Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.

If you require SC clearance you will need to provide evidence of the below requirements.

Checks will be made against:

• Departmental or company records (personnel files, staff reports, sick leave reports and security records)
• UK criminal records covering both spent and unspent criminal records
• Your credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
• Security Services records

Further information about working with NCA can be found here: https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/careers?view=article&id=3067&catid=10

We encourage all candidates to visit the NCA careers page for further information please visit https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/careers

If you have any specific queries about the role that are not covered by the candidate pack, please contact:

ncarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

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

Security

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.