Senior Associate

Accredited Financial Investigator Division - EMO Department - Unauthorised Business Salary - National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £52,400 to £65,500 and 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 Proceeds of Crime Team, made up of Financial Intelligence Officers, Accredited Financial Investigators and professional business support provides a dedicated specialist team with the expertise to help the FCA meet its proceeds of crime investigative responsibilities. This forms part of our credible deterrence agenda, around prosecution of criminal offences linked to our statutory objectives and remit within the Financial Services & Markets Act 2000 and Financial Services Act 2012. We provide dedicated financial investigation resource to: - Investigate, identify, restrain and confiscate the proceeds of criminal behaviours, seeking to remove these from convicted individuals- Compensate victims wherever possible- Use enforcement powers available to us to ensure confiscation orders are satisfied- Use civil powers under Part 5 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and associated legislation to identify and forfeit recoverable property- Undertake criminal investigations into money laundering offences under Part 7 POCA What will you be doing?- Responsible for undertaking confiscation investigations running parallel to criminal investigations conducted by our Enforcement colleagues, or civil recovery investigations, using POCA Part 2 / Part 5 and Part 8 powers as appropriate, including managing and planning search operations and /or other high value asset seizures, using investigative powers as necessary and appropriate, along with obtaining / making section 9 CJA 1967 witness statements, dealing with unused material, evidential reviews and planning, managing and undertaking interviews with witnesses and suspects under s357 POCA, obtaining evidence from overseas- Supporting, coaching, mentoring and giving practical advice to junior and trainee AFIs / FIOs, addressing training and / or performance issues, as well as advising and training FCA colleagues on all aspects of the Proceeds of Crime and associated work, supporting Lead Associate colleagues or the Team Manager in attending and participating in a broad range of project work within the FCA or alongside wider LEA partner agencies, the private sector and practitioner level working groups What will you get from the role? Due to an expansion in the size of the team, our Proceeds of Crime Team are now recruiting for 3 Senior Associates on a permanent basis. You will work as a member of a team supporting the effective delivery of the different investigations under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, as well as wider projects. You will work flexibly across different cases and projects, mentoring and coaching within a growing team of Accredited Financial Investigators / Financial Intelligence Officers as well as supporting the delivery of project strategy and outcomes. 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- A current, live accreditation as a Financial Investigator and Confiscator by the Proceeds of Crime Centre (NCA) with Part 2 and Part 8 powers (minimum), currently working in an AFI and Confiscator role in a proceeds of crime environment- A proven track record in managing and undertaking your own confiscation all in accordance with POCA, in respect of NIM level 3 investigations, setting investigative strategy and reporting to stakeholders on progress- Current experience of using a range of tools to further financial investigations including MLAT, POCA, DPA, RIPA / IPA, PACE, CPIA legislation in addition to an understanding of different areas of jurisprudence: trust, contract, property, crime, company, insolvency and associated secondary legislation such as the Criminal and Civil Procedure Rules Essential- Excellent knowledge of ECHR and its impact on POCA casework- Sound knowledge of the Serious Crime Act 2015, Criminal Finances Act 2017, Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2024 and their impact on POC work at the FCA- Current experience of the legal obligations under Data Protection Act 2018, PACE, RIPA / IPA, Human Rights Act and CPIA- The willingness to exercise your own judgement and initiative and be prepared to make and justify recommendations to Team management- Strong analytical and investigative skills- Strong drafting skills, communication and interpersonal skills- A "can-do" attitude and the ability to work under pressure and mee