About the job

Job summary

We recognise the challenges that people with protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.  

Are you an experienced, accredited investigator?

Have you got strong written and oral communication skills and can confidently make recommendations to seniors?

Are you comfortable working independently?

If so, we have an exciting new Investigator role within the Transport Sanctions Branch and we would love you to apply!

Job description

The Transport Sanctions and Ukraine Recovery (TSUR) division is responsible for coordinating the Department for Transport’s (DfT) response to the situation in Ukraine and implementing the Department’s sanctions policy. We're responsible for all transport sanctions policy and enforcement within DfT, with team members working closely with multiple teams in the Department and across Government to ensure that DfT’s response to events in Ukraine and its sanctions policy is aligned with the Government’s priorities. TSUR is split into three teams – Humanitarian and Reconstruction, the Programme Management Office, and the Transport Sanctions Branch, which this role is part of.   

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the Government has implemented an unprecedented package of coordinated sanctions against Russia. This includes sanctions in the transport sector, which DfT is responsible for implementing on behalf of the Government. The Transport Sanctions Branch is responsible for coordinating agreement across DfT and the Government on transport sanctions measures and ensuring that the affected sectors are compliant with them. In addition to sanctions regimes against Russia and Belarus, the Transport Sanctions Branch is also responsible for leading DfT’s response to the Government’s other sanctions regimes, including Iran and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. 

The successful candidate will support the Head of Sanctions Enforcement to effectively enforce of sanctions measures in order to apply further economic pressure on the Russian regime, while remaining in-step with our international partners.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to

• Leading the design and development of the new Enforcement Investigations branch, supporting the Head of Transport Sanctions Enforcement to develop a professional and expert function for investigations. 
• Working closely with the Sanctions Policy Team, DfT Legal Advisors and other Government departments (particularly the FCDO) to ensure robust enforcement of transport sanctions.
• Leading the investigation process for when suspected breaches have occurred on both aviation and maritime issues, arriving at a conclusion on whether or not a breach has occurred, and providing advice on what actions DfT and the Secretary of State should take in response.
• Leading proactive investigations into potential sanctions breaches and sanctions circumvention, using open-source research and intelligence/data gathered from external sources.
• Ensuring the proper use of sensitive data and intelligence and using the Case Management System correctly to store all relevant information related to each case.
• Work with the National Crime Agency, Office for Trade Sanctions Implementation, and Office for Financial Sanctions Implementation when investigations are under way, in order to access additional information as well as follow best practice. 
• Maintaining an international register, containing information of assets, companies, individuals that we and international partners are targeting for transport sanctions.

For further information, please see the attached Role Profile  

Person specification

About You  

To thrive in this role, you will have experience working in an investigative role with accreditations related to carrying out investigative work, such as Professionalism in Security or PIP.

You will have experience using a range of data and intelligence, obtaining evidence through research to build cases and providing an assessment of action that should be taken.

You will be able to work across different workstreams simultaneously, prioritising key issues where needed.

This role will require a high level of autonomous working so you should be comfortable working independently, and often at a fast-paced environment. You will have experience of working proactively, shaping and prioritising tasks to achieve objectives and maximise efficiency.

You will have excellent written and oral communications skills.

Additional Information 

A minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace, although requirements to attend other locations for official business, or carry out detached duty in another DfT workplace, will also count towards this level of attendance.  

This role will require occasional UK travel with very occasional international travel.

Some out of hours working and being a part of an on-call rota may be required.

The role requires DV clearance; however, candidates will be onboarded with SC Clearance and undergo DV whilst in post (within 6 months). Should the successful candidate not obtain DV then there will be a requirement to be re-deployed to an alternative post should a position be available.

Benefits

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance. 

Find out more about what it's like working at the Department for Transport.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

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

How to Apply  

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a CV and Personal Statement (750 words). Please tailor your CV to suit the role. For your Personal Statement, please provide detailed evidence of the following:

• Experience working in an investigative role with accreditations related to carrying out investigative work, such as Professionalism in Security or PIP.
• Experience using a range of data and intelligence, obtaining evidence through research to build cases and providing an assessment of action that should be taken.

The sift is due to take place 3rd-5th June 2024.

Interviews are likely to be held week commencing 17th June 2024.

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates. 

The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include: 

• An interview.

This will be conducted face to face at one of our offices. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.  

You’re encouraged to become familiar with the role profile, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within. 

The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. 

For further information on Success Profiles visit our Careers website. 

Reasonable Adjustments

As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

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

If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Document Accessibility

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

This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.

Further Information

For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.

Pre-employment Checking

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

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

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

Open to UK nationals only.

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.