Authorising Officer

**Details**:
**Reference number**:

- 304118**Salary**:

- £25,750 - £27,650- Plus shift allowance c.18%- A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%**Job grade**:

- Executive Officer**Contract type**:

- Permanent**Business area**:

- HO - NDPBs - Office for Communications Data Authorisations (OCDA)**Type of role**:

- Operational Delivery**Working pattern**:

- Annualised hours, Full-time, Part-time**Number of jobs available**:

- 10Contents

Location

About the job

**Benefits**:
Things you need to know

Location
- Birmingham, ManchesterAbout the job

**Job summary**:
**Who we are**

The Office for Communications Data Authorisations (OCDA) was formed by government following the introduction of the Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) 2016.

We are an independent arms-length body of the Home Office whose function is to authorise the acquisition of Communications Data (CD) for Public Authorities.

OCDA became operational in 2019 and we currently operate out of two locations at Birmingham and Manchester.

**Our Mission and Values**

Our Mission is Public Protection and has two strands:

- We protect the human rights of individuals from unjustifiable intrusions by the State, in our capacity as an independent body authorising access to communications data when it is lawful, necessary, and proportionate.
- We independently assess, in a professional and efficient manner, the lawful acquisition of CD by a public authority to meet its function of protecting the public.

Communications Data is the information generated which relates mostly to telephone communication or internet activity. The data describes the communication but not the content of this.

Communications data is now used in 95% of serious and organised criminal prosecutions and has been used in every major counter terrorism investigation over the past decade. As such, the acquisition of CD must be independently authorised and that is the function of OCDA as an independent body.

**Job description**:
**The role of an Authorising Officer**

Authorising Officers are responsible for assessing Public Authorities requests to acquire communications data in compliance with the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 and other relevant legislation.

The role of Authorising Officer is vital as communications data can either support or disprove an alibi and can identify links that may exist between suspects and a crime scene. Sometimes CD is the only way to identify these offenders, particularly where offences are committed online, such as child sexual exploitation or fraud.

**Training**

You will receive a fully comprehensive, classroom-based training package to fulfil the role of Authorising Officer. The training will take place over a period of six weeks, and you will be fully supported by OCDA’s training team. You will undertake an assessment which must be passed before you can undertake the duties of the role.

The training will run on a full-time basis during weekdays; however, we will work to accommodate part-time workers after the initial training is completed. During the initial six-week training period you will receive a 0% annualised hours allowance that reflects the Monday to Friday working pattern.

**Shift Working**

The role of Authorising Officer is currently scheduled as a shift working role. The shift pattern includes early starts and evening and weekend working. It also includes working on Public Holidays. It is your responsibility to ensure that a shift working pattern is suitable for you before accepting a job offer.

Whilst part-time work is available, it must meet fit within OCDA business hours, 0700 - 2200, and must include weekend working hours.

OCDA are currently adhering to the Home Office hybrid working model, which will enable staff to split their time working in the office and at home.

**Person specification**:
**Responsibilities**

OCDA welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. To work in this role, successful applicants will be expected to be able to:

- Assimilate complex information quickly and use it to make effective decisions independently within the strict constraints of legislation.
- Understand the impact of their decisions, take responsibility, and have the confidence to justify them.
- Have effective written and oral communication skills and be comfortable engaging with a variety of stakeholders at different levels.
- Respond positively to changes in working systems, processes and teams and follow the productivity targets, showing commitment to continuous improvement in an environment where performance matters.
- Ability to work responsibly in dealing with confidential/sensitive information, being mindful of data security.

**Security Clearance**

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

- Making Effective Decisions
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service

**Benefits**:

- Alongside your salary of £25,750, Home Office contributes £6,952 towards