HMRC is faced with increasingly complex frauds committed by well-resourced and, often, digitally informed and aware criminal groups.
This post sits within the CODE Digital Operations command that includes the Communications Data Unit (CDU) and the National Digital Investigation Unit (NDIU). This command recognises the importance and synergy between these two technical areas.
This is an opportunity to join CODE Digital Operations during a crucial period of expansion, development of capability and impact.
The National Digital Investigation Unit (NDIU) specialise in digital problem solving, drawing upon operational experience and pragmatic application of datasets, such as but not limited to Communications data, Open Source Intelligence, vehicle telematics, ANPR data and digital forensics (handset downloads).
Developing an effective digital strategy is fundamental to achieving meaningful operational outcomes.
The NDIU has a presence in most Regional Centres and strategic sites. Being a national team involves regular travel with overnight stays to attend training courses or work alongside colleagues, particularly within the first year on the team.
Person specificationYou will be joining a team of full time Digital Investigators providing ongoing and dynamic operational advice and support to case teams and wider internal 'customers' such as, the Priority Criminals Unit, Internal Investigations, Protected Persons Unit and the Operational Security network to name a few.
You will become proficient in the application of Digital Investigation techniques, exploiting social media, closed sources and emerging communications systems, using several bespoke third party solutions.
You will provide advice in support of proactive and reactive operations including live deployments to identify data acquisition and exploitation opportunities. Ranging from sustained dedicated support over many months to short term assistance.
You will be working on interesting and high impact cases covering the full range HMRC's statutory functions, some of which are aligned to FIS Tactical priorities. Exploiting all available digital opportunities to help achieve the case teams' objectives. Gathering intelligence and evidence on individuals, corporates, and organised crime groups to progress and enhance criminal investigations into attacks on our tax systems.
You will be responsible for considering and creating bespoke digital strategies to assist and support high priority, complex and sensitive HMRC investigations. Provide guidance to SIOs/Investigators on the application of technology in investigations. Taking a lead role in difficult or complex cases.
You will be part of a 1 in 4 On-call cadre.
This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a command that enhances HMRC's response to sophisticated organised crime and serious fraud.
Our work is varied, rewarding and impactful, investigating the most harmful tax frauds and criminal groups.
Every day will be different. Using innovative digital approaches and techniques, you will be making decisions that will help tackle fraudsters who present the highest threat to the UK Exchequer.
You will be working with like-minded people, who constantly look for opportunities to add value and share knowledge to drive investigations forward.
Bespoke training will be available to cover the range and skills required in the role.
Essential Criteria:• You
must hold one of the
Qualifications listed below.
• Have a sound knowledge of Communications Data.
• An understanding of Digital Investigation opportunities.
• This role also requires experience of conducting criminal investigations and a thorough working knowledge of Criminal Justice procedures. Including,
• Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA).
• Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA).
• Police Act 1997.
• Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (PoCA).
• Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act (CPIA).
• Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE).
Additional Location information - Transitional sites: For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations .
If your location preference is for the following site, it's important to note that this is not a long-term site for HMRC and we will require you to move to a new building in the future, subject to our location strategy and the applicable employee policies at that time.
This site is:
- Benton Park View, Newcastle - moving to Pilgrims Quarter, Newcastle.
You will be given more information about what this means at the job offer stage.
QualificationsCandidates must be able to confirm on their application that they either:
Have a HMRC Accredited Counter Fraud Qualification Level 4 Diploma, or its HMRC predecessor BTEC level 3 Diploma in Criminal Investigation,
Or
Current PIP2 Status - You must hold a current and active PIP2 (Investigator) accreditation issued by a recognised UK law enforcement body (e.g. the College of Policing or NCA).
If your accreditation is inactive, it must not have lapsed more than 24 months prior to your application, and you must be able to demonstrate recent relevant operational experience in managing or conducting serious and complex investigations.
Please note - successful candidates with PIP2 status, will still be required to complete HMRC's core learning programme and achieve Authorised Officer status through further classroom and practical training which will involve regular travel.
Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Making Effective Decisions
- Delivering at Pace
BenefitsAlongside your salary of £37,682, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £10,916 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.
We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.
- Pension - We make contributions to our colleagues' Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary.
- Family friendly policies.
- Personal support.
- Coaching and development.
To find out more about HMRC benefits and find out what it's really like to work for HMRC hear from our insiders or visit Thinking of joining the Civil Service .
Things you need to knowArtificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process detailsThis vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
How to ApplyAs part of the application process, you will be asked to provide the following:
- A name-blind CV, to include your job history, with a short description of your jobs/roles, duties and any key achievements. Please do not exceed 500-words in total.
- A 250-word Personal Statement, describing how your skills, attributes and experience would make you suitable for the role, referring to the Person Specification, and how you meet the Essential Criteria.
- A separate 250-word statement for each of the specified Behaviours: Leadership, Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
SiftIn the event of a large number of applications being received, an initial sift may be held on the Personal Statement and Lead Behaviour - Leadership.
At full sift all Behaviour statements, your CV and Personal Statement will be assessed, with the successful candidates being invited to interview.
We may also raise the score required at any stage of the process if we receive a high number of applications.
InterviewDuring the panel interview, you will be asked Behaviour-based questions on all those listed above to explore what you are capable of, and Strength-based questions to explore what you enjoy and your motivations relevant to the role.
You will also be asked to prepare and deliver a 10-15minute Presentation on a recent example/case study of a Digitally Focussed Investigation that you carried out. This should highlight some of the challenges and techniques that you used to reach the objectives.
This is an example of a strengths-based question:
"It is often said that the customer's needs should come first. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?"
There is no expectation or requirement for you to prepare for the strengths-based questions in advance of the interview, though you may find it helpful to spend some time reflecting on what you enjoy doing and what you do well.
Interviews will take place via video link (Microsoft Teams).
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
Eligibility Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. We understand mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days(Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we will not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, please contact us via: unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk - Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example - 'Please re-open my application -
[insert vacancy ref] & vacancy closing date
[insert date]' To check that you are eligible to apply for this role, please review the eligibility information before submitting your application .
Reserve List A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles - if this applies to you, we'll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.
Criminal Record Check Applications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.
Merit ListAfter interview, merit lists will be created for each location advertised within the vacancy. If you are successful at interview, you will be placed on the merit list for any locations you have expressed an interest for. Appointments from each merit list will be made in strict merit order.
Hybrid working at HMRCHMRC is an office-based organisation, and colleagues are expected to spend 60% of their working time in the office. Our offices provide opportunity for interaction, collaboration which aids learning and development and a sense of community. Where the role allows it, and where the home environment is suitable, colleagues can work from home for up to 2 days a week, averaged over a calendar month (or a proportionate amount of time for colleagues who work less than full time).
Reasonable AdjustmentsWe want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact the UBS Recruitment Team via unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.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.
Additional Security Information Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.
Important information for existing HMRC contractual homeworkers Please note that this role is unsuitable for contractual homeworkers due to the nature and/or requirements of the role.
Terms and Conditions Customer facing roles in HMRC require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement, this will be tested as part of the selection process.
HMRC has a presence in every region of the UK. For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations .
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences.
Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application(s) will be withdrawn from the process.
Recording of interviews is prohibited unless explicit agreement is sought in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations.
Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert.
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.
New entrants will join on the minimum of the pay band.
Please note that if you are applying for roles on a part-time basis, the salary agreed will be pro-rata, reflective of the working hours agreed within your contract.
If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
For more Information for people applying for, or thinking of applying for, roles at HM Revenue and Customs, please see link: Working for HMRC: information for applicants - GOV.UK .
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
SecuritySuccessful 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 (opens in a new window) .
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window) .
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) (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 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 (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.
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) .
Apply and further informationThis vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
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 contact :
- Name : Victoria Malia
- Email : victoria.malia@hmrc.gov.uk
- Telephone : 03000528599
Recruitment team- Email : unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk
Further informationAppointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of the Recruitment Principles.
In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly via ubsrecruitmentcomplaints@hmrc.gov.uk. Please note that we do not accept complaints or appeals regarding scoring of outcomes of campaigns, unless candidates can provide clear evidence that the campaign did not follow the Recruitment Principles.
If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their website.
Attachments Flexibility Payment Attachment FINAL JUNE 2024 Opens in new window (docx, 56kB) Flexibility Payment Attachment FINAL JUNE 2024 Welsh Opens in new window (docx, 51kB)