About the job

Job summary

Targeted Intercept is part of Integrated Communications Intelligence (ICI) Operations, which is a key part of the National Crime Agency (NCA) Intelligence Directorate. Working collaboratively with NCA Investigations, other intelligence departments, United Kingdom Intelligence Collection (UKIC) and broader Law Enforcement partners, we help deliver an effective response to lead the UK’s response to tackling Serious and Organised Crime.  

ICI operates at the very front end of the covert collection of criminal communications, operating within the Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) 2016.  

This is a dynamic and diverse arena within a complex and rapidly evolving operational environment.  Fundamentally, our role is to get the right information at the right time to the right person to make the best decision.  

As part of the Intercept Skills Team (IST) within ICI, you will be involved in developing and delivering specialist training in support of TI frontline operational delivery to tackle serious organised crime and mitigate risk in a challenging environment. Training is delivered at multiple locations within the UK and beyond. 

Job description

Main Responsibilities will include;

• Plan, design and deliver a programme of bespoke specialist training on behalf of Targeted Intercept (TI) Operations, Integrated Communications Intelligence;
• Manage and deliver the Intercept Training Programme (ITP), a 10 week bespoke TI training pathway providing new NCA, National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) intercept officers with the core skills required to work effectively within Targeted Intercept Operations;
• Deliver national IPA (Investigatory Powers Act 2016) Product Handler training to nominated NCA officers, and NPCC officers from all Regional Organised Crime Units (ROCUs) / Forces in England and Wales, in how to effectively manage intercept material in accordance with IPA part 2 Chapter 1 and NCA ICI standard operating procedures;
• Co-deliver a diverse training portfolio which requires frequent travel between UK TI sites, regular travel to deliver bespoke TI training at College of Policing and other sites, and periodic international travel to deliver TI training to overseas NCA Supported Units;
• Continually monitor, review and refresh training products in line with new legislation, policy and technology, to ensure legally mandated standards are maintained;
• Ensure all training delivered by the Intercept Skills Team is fit for purpose and continues to optimise learning outcomes for the NCA and key partners within the covert collection ecosystem;
• Proactively engage with key stakeholders including the NCA Threat to Life Team, Internet Data Unit (IDU), Communications Data Unit (CDU), TI Policy and Criminal Justice Liaison Team (CJLT) to ensure training content embeds standard operating procedures across the command; 
• Support the TI specialist recruitment process for NCA, NPCC and MPS partners through delivery of TI Pre-Training Aptitude Assessments (PTA);
• Lead by example to embed the NCA culture, identity and values within TI Operations.

Successful candidates will be placed on an internationally recognised training accreditation / qualification pathway; shifts are standard office hours (typically, for example, 8-4), Monday to Friday, but there are frequent requirements to be flexible to allow for offsite travel time and extensive training requirements; parking is available but limited at both Warrington and London, with the Warrington site being siutated very close to the motorway network and London being served by extensive public transport services; IST design and deliver training not only for NCA interceptors within the UK, but also respond to requests for training from the International Liaison Officer (ILO) network, necessitating, on occasion, travel abroad.

***To be considered, you will need to successfully complete SC Enhanced clearance before commencing the role and achieve DV STRAP clearance within the first 12 months in post. Applicants must be willing to undergo DV clearance and STRAP induction and be full UK Nationals or Dual Nationals, of whom one component is British may be considered on a case by case basis.***

Person specification

The role on any given day falls into two categories: a) delivering training or b) not delivering training. On a typical day where no training is being delivered, the role involves the administration of past and future courses; the review and upgrade of existing training material; designing new bespoke training packages in response to requests from stakeholders; liaison with departments within the NCA (Criminal Justice Liaison Team, Assurance, Policy, Threats To Life, Internet Data Unit, Communications Data, etc.), and externally, such as Regional Organised Crime Units and other stakeholders. Some, but not all of the work between training can be done at home, but much of it involves access to sensitive material and tactics which require the post holder to frequently attend at an NCA site. On days where training is delivered, this will most frequently be at one of two key NCA sites (Warrington and London) but will also take place at other Law Enforcement Agency locations and at NCA locations abroad. The volume of training delivered is extensive, varying from 90 minute inputs through to 10-week courses.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £45,057, National Crime Agency contributes £12,165 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 24th 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.

Your CV will assess the following:

• Operated as an Intercept Case Officer (ICO) within a UK intercept agency and be able to demonstrate the necessary skills and abilities required to develop as a trainer,

Or

• You must be able to provide extensive evidence of experience in designing and delivering training in a complex and challenging environment.

At application, you will be assessed on;

• CV
• 2 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:

• Operated as an Intercept Case Officer (ICO) within a UK intercept agency and be able to demonstrate the necessary skills and abilities required to develop as a trainer,

Or

• You must be able to provide extensive evidence of experience in designing and delivering training in a complex and challenging environment.

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 15th 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. 

The interview will consist of Behaviour, Technical and Experience skills. Candidates will be required to give a presentation at interview - Further details will be provided to the successful candidates.

Interviews will take place throughout April & 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. 

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

VETTING REQUIREMENTS - DV 

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

The requirement for DV is to have been present in the UK for at least 7 of the last 10 years.

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

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

Checks will be made against:

• successful completion of the BPSS
• UK criminal record and identity checks
• credit reference checks
• relevant personnel and medical checks (if required)

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

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.