HEO(Q) Criminal Investigator

Details
Reference number

438990

Salary

£38,500

£38,500 - National

£41,500 - London

Candidates are advised to address any questions on rates of pay prior to applying for the post.

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

GBP

Job grade

Higher Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

Insolvency - Investigation and Enforcement Services

Type of role

Investigation

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Number of jobs available

32

Contents

• Location
• About the job
• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information

Location

Birmingham, Cardiff, Croydon, Exeter, Ipswich, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham, Stratford

About the job
Job summary

The Insolvency Service is a leading Government agency which plays a crucial role in providing essential services to the public and to business. The work we do is important to the proper functioning of markets, the economy in general and support for thousands of people each year who are in financial difficulty.

Inclusive and diverse teams are important to us. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups underrepresented in our workforce. The Insolvency Service strives to ensure that the agency is a safe, inclusive, and welcoming place for everybody to bring their true self to work and to help the agency to achieve its diversity objectives. We have 10 active employee network groups available to join or become an ally, these include, Carers Network, Disability & Health, FACES Network Group, Grass Roots, LGBT+, Mind Matters, No Limits, Part Time Workers, The Shed, and Women's Network Group.

We offer full-time, job share and flexible ways of working in this role. We value capability, technical skills and experience and we place great emphasis on lifetime development to support our people. We encourage our employees to become more involved in areas they feel strongly about, whether it be for the benefit of the agency, through our Engagement network or in their own local communities via volunteering opportunities.

The Insolvency Service is a great place to work, learn and grow your career

Investigation and Enforcement Services (IES) directorate aims to deliver and promote a range of investigation and enforcement activities, both civil and criminal in nature, to support fair and open markets. We do this by effectively enforcing the statutory company and insolvency regimes, maintaining public confidence in those regimes, and reducing the harm caused to victims of fraudulent activity and to the business community.

Job description

The Criminal Investigation Team is responsible for conducting criminal investigations into insolvency and corporate related criminal offences which support the Agency's objective to tackle financial wrongdoing. The team works closely with civil investigation teams, our Legal Services Directorate internally, and other Law Enforcement partner organisations to ensure that we fulfil our role in delivering Governmental strategies. We strive to target offences under the Companies House Reform Legislation along with others including misuse of government backed Covid recovery funds.

We are recruiting criminal investigators for the Criminal Investigation Team North who will play a key role in the team, carrying out criminal investigations mainly under the Insolvency Act 1986, Companies Act 2006, Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986, Fraud Act 2006, Theft Act 1968 and Economic Crime and Transparency Act 2023. Reporting to the Investigation Manager and the Chief Investigator.

The role will be based in based in either Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham, Ipswich, Cardiff, Stratford, Croydon or Exeter. Regular attendance will be required in the selected office in accordance with the hybrid working model of 60% office attendance. Regular travel to obtain witness statements and to interview suspects will be required in addition to meetings with stakeholders and other regulators. Occasional overnight stays may be required. The jobholder will be required to be flexible regarding the length and timing of the working day to meet the demands of the business. Occasional evening/weekend work may be necessary – to be worked in compliance with the European Working Time Directive.

Responsibilities

The main duties of the role are:

• investigate a range of criminal offences including complex fraud, bankruptcy, insolvency and Covid related offences. Obtain detailed statements of witnesses in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1967, Magistrates Court Act 1980 and the Criminal Justice Act of 1988 and 2003
• interview persons suspected of offences under the provisions of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE)
• prepare case files with detailed evidence-based reports on the findings of investigations in accordance with the management of disclosure material under the Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act 1996 (CPIA). These will be to a high standard suitable for testing in Criminal Courts, often to tight timescales
• work closely with line management to effectively manage your caseload, reviewing the progress of cases, maintaining quality and meeting legislative demands
• ensure quality in the preparation of cases, leading to criminal proceedings or disclosure to other regulators
• work closely with the Agency's prosecution and advisory lawyers and counsel, take the lead and drive follow up action arising from criminal cases. Contribute to discussion with lawyers and counsel, being a witness in appropriate cases and attending court as a witness/disclosure officer
• work closely with other investigation/prosecution/enforcement disciplinary agencies and stakeholders to ensure enforcement action is progressed appropriately and promptly, ensuring value for money
• to contribute to the performance of the team and the achievement of the team targets as well as embedding continuous improvement activity, as well as maintaining investigation standards.

Essential Criteria

• an accreditation as a Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP) level 2 supervisor / manager (or above) held within the past 5 years or a Government Counter Fraud Profession (GCFP) Practitioner or equivalent
• a full UK driving licence is essential and own vehicle is desirable

Please note, this post requires SC clearance. If you already hold this it can be transferred in on appointment. If you do not already hold SC clearance, you will need to undergo the relevant checks before onboarding.

Person specification

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

• a proven, extensive, and demonstrable criminal/fraud investigation background, which ideally should have been gained within a Government Department Agency, Police Service, or similar organisation - within the last 2 years
• a team player with excellent communication skills, used to working in partnership with fellow law enforcement professionals and colleagues
• excellent analytical skills
• membership of the Government Counter Fraud Programme, or willingness to join
• a demonstrable knowledge of the rules of criminal evidence including CPIA, PACE, Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RPIA) is essential, together with a working knowledge of Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA)
• ability to plan operations and initiatives, ability to prioritise cases against competing procedures and deadlines
• a calm, authoritative and adaptable approach. Keen problem-solving skills, flexibility and drive
• knowledge of legislation affecting bankruptcy and companies

Licences

A full UK driving licence is essential

Qualifications

An accreditation as a Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP) level 2 supervisor / manager (or above) held within the past 5 years or a Government Counter Fraud Profession (GCFP) Practitioner or equivalent.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Experience in working with CPIA 1996

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £38,500, Insolvency Service contributes £11,153 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

We want you to have a good work-life balance and want to support you in all that you do, so we offer a great benefits package including:

• flexible working arrangements and flexi-time
• full time new entrants to the Civil Service and those Civil Servants on modernised terms and conditions will be entitled to 25 days leave increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years' service
• in addition to this you are entitled to 8 public/bank holidays plus an additional day of privilege leave
• competitive maternity, paternity and parental leave
• 5 days paid leave for learning and development
• 5 days paid for volunteering
• a Cycle to work scheme
• staff have access to an employee assistance programme, Workplace Wellness, for confidential, independent support and advice during difficult times in either their professional or personal life

Your pension is a valuable part of your total reward package where the employer makes a significant contribution to the cost of your pension. Your contributions come out of your salary before any tax is taken. This means, if you pay tax, your take-home pay will not be reduced by the full amount of your contribution; and your pension will continue to provide valuable benefits for you and your family if you are too ill to continue to work or die before you retire. For more information, visit

Things you need to know
Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

As part of the sift process, you will be asked to complete:

• CV
• Personal Statement

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the CV, assessing candidates against the essential criteria. Only those who meet the essential criteria at this stage will proceed to a full assessment of their application. If a candidate does not meet the minimum requirements during the initial sift, the remainder of their application will not be reviewed.

Candidates who pass the sift but are not offered an interview due to higher-scoring applicants may be placed on a successful sift waitlist for up to 12 months. Similarly, candidates who pass the interview but are not offered a role may be placed on a successful interview waitlist for up to 12 months.

CV Guidance

Your CV should provide a clear overview of your employment history, key responsibilities, relevant qualifications, and the skills and experience you've gained throughout your career including any notable achievements.

Note: Your CV will be scored as part of the assessment process and will be assessed against the criteria outlined in the job advert.

Personal Statement Guidance

Your personal statement should be no more than 750 words and must demonstrate how your personal skills, qualities, and experience align with the requirements of the role. Please ensure your statement references the essential criteria outlined in the person specification.

If successful at the sift stage, at interview, you will be assessed on the following:

Behavioural Competencies - assessed through:

• Behaviour 1 - Making Effective Decisions
• Behaviour 2 - Delivering at Pace
• Behaviour 3 - Communicating and Influencing

Technical Skills:

• Experience in working with CPIA 1996

Strengths

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Sift – w/c

Interview – w/c

Location - Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Croydon, Exeter

Your interview will be conducted face to face. You will be notified of this if you are selected for interview. Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Insolvency 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.

If 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- stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

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.

Use of AI

Candidates must ensure that their applications, including personal statements and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. Please refer to the following link for further information and guidance:

Visa Applicants

To sponsor a candidate under the Skilled Worker visa, a sponsorship licence is required. The Insolvency Service does not currently hold this licence and therefore, cannot legally sponsor Skilled Worker visa applicants.

Hybrid Working

Insolvency Service operates a hybrid working policy subject to business need, giving people the flexibility to choose when and where they work and collaborate with others.

Individuals are expected to work from one of the office locations stated in the advert to connect with their colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs. There is flexibility to split the working week, spending a minimum of 60% in the workplace, which includes the office, site visits, court etc.

Reasonable Adjustment

If 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 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.

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

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 security check .

See our vetting charter .

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)
• 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

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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 .

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 Inclusion

The 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 and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans 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 applicants
Job contact :

• Name : David Snasdell
• Email :

Recruitment team

• Email :

Further information

If you feel there have been procedural irregularities at any stage of the recruitment process or that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive you can then contact the Civil Service Commission.

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