Senior Associate Blockchain Specialist Investigator-2

Blockchain Specialist Investigator

Division – Enforcement & Market Oversight

Department - RRI

Salary - National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £52,400 to £65,500 London £57,700 to £72,000 per annum (Salary offered will be based on skills and experience)

About the FCA

The FCA regulates the conduct of 45,000 firms in the UK to ensure our financial markets are honest, fair and competitive. Follow this link to find out more About the FCA.

The Enforcement & Market Oversight Division (EMO) investigates and brings regulatory, disciplinary and civil cases, together with criminal prosecutions on behalf of the FCA against firms and individuals, aimed at achieving impactful deterrence by changing behaviour in the financial services industry, in accordance with the FCA objectives. It plays a key role in the work of the whole organisation to reduce financial crime and ensure adherence to regulatory requirements.

EMO is moving to the next phase of our work on cryptoassets. This comes at a pivotal moment for the FCA on cryptoassets, as we continue to develop and progress work under our current remit, and prepare for the broader regulation of cryptoassets. The EMO Crypto Hub is a cross-cutting team which brings together and further develops broad EMO crypto expertise, working flexibly with colleagues across EMO and the FCA to:

• Support the progression of action to tackle crypto harm

• Advance complex work preparing for the future regulation of cryptoassets in the UK

What will you be doing?

• You will support the progression of complex criminal and regulatory investigations involving cryptoassets, managing your work to meet competing deadlines

• You will conduct detailed investigative work into transactions involving digital assets using specialist analytic tools and investigative techniques

• You will prepare high quality case reports that support case progression and decision-making, and maintain detailed records of investigative findings, conclusions and recommendations

• You will be involved in all aspects of investigations from strategic planning, obtaining evidence using appropriate powers, drafting and reviewing documents, taking part in interviews of subjects and witnesses, analysing evidence and making judgements and recommendations throughout the lifetime of an investigation

• You will be a leading contributor to EMO's cryptoassets work and play a central role in the EMO Crypto Hub, proactively providing input on behalf of Enforcement to complex cryptoassets matters at different stages in a case's lifecycle and contribute to the development of wider crypto capabilities within EMO

• You will be a role model across the Division, always willing to share your knowledge and expertise and have mentoring responsibilities for junior colleagues

What will you get from the role?

• The opportunity to contribute to some of the most fascinating, challenging and rewarding investigations in the UK

• Satisfying, worthwhile and responsible work with the opportunity to use your skills in complex situations

• Collaborating with a wide range of talented and committed colleagues from across EMO and other parts of the FCA

• The opportunity to help develop junior colleagues and positively contribute to the development of their career

• Working in a high-energy and stimulating Division, within a supportive environment

Which skills are required?

We are a Disability Confident Employer; therefore, disabled people or individuals with long-term conditions who best meet the minimum criteria for a role will go through to the next stage of the recruitment process. (To learn more about the Disability Confident Scheme Click Here)

Minimum

• Prior professional experience of tracing and analysing cryptoassets in complex investigations using blockchain tools

• Prior experience and knowledge of the UK financial crime landscape and regulatory frameworks for cryptoassets

• Prior experience of analysing large amounts of information, drawing out key findings and producing formal written reports including making recommendations

Essential

• Strong operational capabilities, managing and driving forward complex workstreams

• Skilled at working inclusively with colleagues with different perspectives and backgrounds

• Build and maintain strong and effective relationships with colleagues across the Division and with key stakeholders across the FCA, acting as an ambassador for EMO

• Comfortable working flexibly and in an agile manner, anticipating and adapting to changing needs and priorities

• Demonstrable significant experience working effectively in teams and leading on significant aspects of highly complex financial investigations involving cryptoassets

• Proven skills and experience in proactively building the capabilities of others, including developing junior members of staff

• Deep understanding of cryptoassets and blockchain technology

• Experience of working collaboratively and communicating effectively with colleagues in a multi-disciplinary investigation team, as well as having the ability to work independently and take responsibility for delivering against deadlines and managing operational risks

Our Values & Diversity

We are proud to be an inclusive employer and our ambition is to cultivate a culture for all employees that respects their individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe that our differences and similarities enable us to be a better organisation – one that makes better decisions, drives innovation, and delivers better regulation.

Within the workplace you will have access to various employee resource groups which aim to promote and achieve a healthy work / life balance and support our diversity ambitions.

Did you know? 50% of our Executive Committee were the first in their family to attend university.

Benefits of working at the FCA

• 25 days holiday per year plus bank holidays

• Hybrid working (work from home up to 60% of your time)

• Private healthcare with Bupa  

• A non-contributory Pension of at least 8% of basic salary each month (there are several contribution levels that increase depending on your age – up to 12% a month once you reach age 35)  

• Life assurance of eight times your basic salary  

• Income protection  

We also have a competitive flexible benefits scheme which gives you the opportunity to create a personalised benefits package, tailored to suit your lifestyle.

We welcome applications from candidates who are looking for flexible arrangements.  Many of our staff work flexibly including working part-time, staggered hours, and job shares.  We can't promise to give you exactly what you want but we can explore what might work best for both sides.

Follow this link to see what life is like at the FCA - Life at the FCA

Application Support

We are dedicated to removing barriers and ensuring our application process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition requiring changes to the recruitment process, please contact your recruiter using the details below and they will be happy to discuss this further with you.

Useful Information and Timeline

• This role is graded as Senior Associate

• Advert Closing Date: 9th November

• CV Review/Shortlist: 10th and 11th November

• First Stage Technical Assessment: 17th November

• Second Stage Interview: 24th November

Your Recruiter will discuss the process in detail with you during screening for the role, therefore, please make them aware if you are going to be unavailable for any date during this time. 

Got a question?

If you are interested in learning more about the role, please contact: 

Riley Fox at

Applications must be submitted through our online portal. Applications sent via email will not be accepted.