Intelligence Development and Advisory Officer

Bridgwater, Bristol, Cambridge, Carlisle, Crewe, Exeter, Leeds, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham, Reading, Worcester, Workington, YorkJob SummaryThis is a brilliant time to join RPA. Our organisation is growing and we’re at the heart of delivering the Government’s agricultural transition and making a genuine difference to the health of our environment and rural economy. We continue to make year on year improvements in performance as we become a data and intelligence-led organisation, embedding our vision of customer excellence at every level and growing our reputation to make a difference every day.Our Data & Innovation Business Area is a multidisciplinary team including Geospatial Analysts, Data Engineers and Architects, Data Analysts and Intelligence Analysts. Together, we’re in a unique position to use our specialist skills to work with the agricultural community to deliver big, impactful change, supporting high level environmental and animal welfare outcomes and the move towards net zero. This is a really exciting time to join our team as we grow and develop our ability to continuously analyse nationwide agricultural activity and provide agile, directed data and evidence-driven support to the farming community.We have clear values that we are embedding at every level in our organisation, improving engagement and innovating to be a more inclusive, supportive, and engaging employer. Our people own our values and bring them to life in everything we do. Recent new starters have talked glowingly about how supportive and caring their new colleagues are. We are proud of this culture; how open and approachable we are and our commitment to individual development, investing in the skills of our people and creating an environment in which everyone can flourish.Further details can be found at Rural Payments Agency - GOV.UKJob DescriptionThis newly created Intelligence Development and Advisory Officer role is central to embedding intelligence-led approaches across the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), in alignment with the National Intelligence Model. Working within the Intelligence, Monitoring and Tasking Unit, you will help identify areas of high risk for non-compliance with RPA-managed funding schemes and regulations, protecting public funds and supporting environmental outcomes.You will play a hands-on role in intelligence gathering, supporting field teams, and enhancing the quality and flow of intelligence across the organisation. The role involves close collaboration with internal teams and external partners to strengthen the RPA’s understanding of fraud and non-compliance risks.ResponsibilitiesSpecifically, the role will:Act as a deployable intelligence resource, responding to specific intelligence requirements and supporting field operations across England (regular travel required).Identify and cultivate new internal sources of intelligence. Provide training and guidance to teams on recognising and reporting high-quality intelligence.Build and maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders, Defra, Arms-Length Bodies (ALBs), and other government partners to share insights and promote best practices.Support the development of intelligence-led processes and contribute to RPA’s understanding of fraud and error.Regular travel is required for this role, therefore the successful candidate will need a valid UK driving license.This newly created Intelligence Development and Advisory Officer role is central to embedding intelligence-led approaches across the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), in alignment with the National Intelligence Model. Working within the Intelligence, Monitoring and Tasking Unit, you will help identify areas of high risk for non-compliance with RPA-managed funding schemes and regulations, protecting public funds and supporting environmental outcomes.You will play a hands-on role in intelligence gathering, supporting field teams, and enhancing the quality and flow of intelligence across the organisation. The role involves close collaboration with internal teams and external partners to strengthen the RPA’s understanding of fraud and non-compliance risks.Specifically, The Role WillAct as a deployable intelligence resource, responding to specific intelligence requirements and supporting field operations across England (regular travel required).Identify and cultivate new internal sources of intelligence. Provide training and guidance to teams on recognising and reporting high-quality intelligence.Build and maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders, Defra, Arms-Length Bodies (ALBs), and other government partners to share insights and promote best practices.Support the development of intelligence-led processes and contribute to RPA’s understanding of fraud and error.Regular travel is required for this role, therefore the successful candidate will need a valid UK driving license.Person specificationWe are seeking an excellent communicator with a proven ability to develop and embed new ways of working to improve efficiency and customer delivery.Essential CriteriaYou must be able to demonstrate the following skills and experience Proven experience in intelligence gathering and development within a public sector or enforcement environment. Understanding of the National Intelligence Model and its practical application. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and influence across diverse teams and stakeholders. Competence in training or coaching others on intelligence standards and reporting. IPP certified or willingness to undertake IPP certification.LicencesValid UK Driving LicenceBehavioursWe'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:Communicating and InfluencingChanging and ImprovingWorking TogetherDeveloping Self and OthersAlongside your salary of £34,765, Rural Payments Agency contributes £10,071 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.Learning and development tailored to your roleAn environment with flexible working optionsA culture encouraging inclusion and diversityA Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%Selection process detailsThis vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.Application Process As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete the following:  A name blind CV summarising your job history/full qualifications/previous skills and experience A 1000-word personal statement demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria detailed in the advert Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.Sift Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Personal Statement.Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview. Interview The Following Behaviours Will Be Assessed At InterviewIf successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on Behaviours, Strengths and Experience:Communicating and InfluencingChanging and ImprovingWorking TogetherDeveloping Self and OthersAs part of your interview, you will be asked to complete a presentation which will assess experience and the Communicating and Influencing behaviour.Details of the presentation will be provided if you are successful at sift.Interviews will take place week commencing 12th January 2026Interviews will take place via MS Teams.Artificial IntelligenceArtificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate, and based on your own personal experience. Submitting content that has been generated by AI or copied from others and presented as your own may be considered plagiarism. Applications found to contain such content may be withdrawn, and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please refer to our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.LocationAs part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s)Where the location is ‘National’ the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both RPA’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra Group organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.Salary New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.Reserve ListA reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.Childcare VouchersAny move to RPA 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; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.Near Miss CandidatesCandidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in RPA which may be at a lower grade but have a potential skills match.Merit ListsWhere more than one location is advertised, candidates will be appointed in merit order by location.Criminal Record CheckIf 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 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.Internal Fraud Database CheckApplicants 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.Reasonable AdjustmentIf 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 defrarecruitment.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.AccessibilityIf you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.Visa Sponsorship StatementPlease take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.FeedbackFeedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.SecuritySuccessful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Nationality requirementsThis Job Is Broadly Open To The Following GroupsUK nationalsnationals of the Republic of Irelandnationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UKnationals 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 2020Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil ServiceFurther information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)Working for the Civil ServiceThe 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.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.Diversity and InclusionThe Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.Contact point for applicantsJob ContactName : RPA RecruitmentEmail : rparecruitmentadmin@rpa.gov.ukRecruitment teamEmail : DefraRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.ukFurther informationIf you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.ukIf you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: here