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About the job
Job summary
Home Office Intelligence brings together a number of existing teams involved in the collection and analysis of border and immigration related intelligence. It delivers Intelligence Collection, Development, Analysis, Targeting (Data Analytics) and Watchlisting capabilities within the Home Office and to its partners across Government and Law Enforcement.
Job description
Home Office Intelligence is a key business serving the Home Office Intelligence capability.
Home Office Intelligence has three Dedicated Source Units (DSUs) which are a standard feature for the lawful and effective management of Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS) in compliance with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA). The DSUs are supported by a Source Development Unit (SDU) which supports the DSUs, provides a vital role in managing Source status drift for the department, and is currently transforming to take a more active role in CHIS recruitment.
The effective recruitment and management of CHIS generates high grade intelligence, maximises intervention opportunities and produces the strongest likelihood of meeting the departments strategic objectives and fulfilling its intelligence requirement.
The current vacancy in this campaign if for a CHIS Controller. The post holder will be responsible for the joint management and supervision of the handlers within a DSU and will be required to maintain general oversight of the CHIS and the intelligence product produced, in line with departmental business priorities.
This is a role which demands exceptionally high levels of flexibility; the unpredictable nature of the work means that source contacts may take place at short notice and at unsociable hours.
A full-time, shift-working pattern primarily of early and late duties is anticipated, due to the specialist nature of this post.
Requests for part-time working would be considered but is subject to business needs. The role requires high flexibility working pattern, with regular On Call demands, and some Weekend/Public Holiday working.
Applicants should be aware that on-call requires the officer to reside within a reasonable travelling distance to the office they are posted to. Reasonable distance is deemed as 60 minutes for posts based outside the London region. The role requires the officer to be On Call out of hours and able to respond occasionally to meetings out of office with little notice.
There will be opportunity to undertake some work from home in line with current hybrid working arrangements in Home Office Intelligence, but officers will be expected to respond to operational and on call requirements when necessary.
The role will require travel to meetings across the UK. Lengthy travel may necessitate very occasional overnight stays. Mandatory training for the Controller role may also be residential. Candidates will require a full UK valid manual driving licence to operate an official vehicle.
The covert nature of this work dictates that it is a non-uniform role.
Expected posting length is expected to be a minimum period of 2 years following the successful completion of the Enhanced Source Management (Controller) Skills training programme. This is due to staff development investment for this specialist training and also a period of in-role immersion and mentoring.
If not previously and recently accredited, the successful applicant will be required to complete and pass the Controller Skills training programme. Applicants should note that this course is 3-4 weeks in duration, which may be residential.
Additionally, the successful applicant will be required to complete and pass Personal Safety Training (PST2).
Please Note: Applicants should note that failure to complete and pass either of these requirements will mean that they have not met the requirements of the post and are not legally allowed to undertake the duties of the role. In such circumstances, the Candidate will be redeployed to an alternative role.
Person specification
This is an exciting role which requires a robust personality and the ability to work to tight time frames, often without direct supervision.
The successful candidate will be responsible for:
Demonstrating a good knowledge and understanding of RIPA, CHIS Codes of Practice, Criminal Procedure and Investigation Act 1996 (CPIA), Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA), Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) and the principles of General Data Protection Regulations.
Managing a team of handlers operating in line with the Home Office Intelligence CHIS Standard Operating Procedures.
Maintaining the DSUs security standards.
Promoting a safe working environment through effective risk assessment of every CHIS deployment and dynamic risk assessment of every situation.
Promoting a professional working environment by maintaining the highest standards of behaviour and integrity and adopt an intrusive style of supervision for source management.
The release of intelligence material and adherence to the principles of the CPIA and all relevant legislation and agency policy.
Actively promoting awareness of source related capability in the Home Office by seeking out, engaging and educating both new and existing internal and external partners.
Promoting a professional working environment by maintaining the highest standards of behaviour and integrity.
Actively contributing to the team effort improving performance, demonstrating innovation, working collaboratively and with respect.
Essential criteria
Candidates are expected to Demonstrate and /or Experience of;
Previous training in or experience of Source Management, including experience of the authorisation processes under RIPA 2000.
Have experience of working in an operational law enforcement environment, which has dealt with intelligence, criminal investigation or detection.
Possess a good working knowledge and understanding of RIPA, the CHIS Codes of Practice, the Criminal Procedure and Investigation Act 1996 (CPIA), the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA), Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) and the principles of General Data Protection Regulations.
Possess well developed oral and written communication skills.
Desirable criteria
To have previously successfully completed an NSWG (National Source Working Group), or equivalent, accredited Controller course.
Have previous experience of working as an accredited Controller and/or handler within a UK Law Enforcement Agency.
Licences
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Communicating and Influencing
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:
- A CV detailing job history/skills
- A statement of suitability (personal statement) (maximum 500 words)
- Provide evidence of the behaviour Communicating & Influencing (250 words maximum)
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
The statement of suitability should be aligned to demonstrate your skills and experience for the role and how you meet the essential criteria as detailed in the job description.
For guidance on how to construct your personal statement, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Links Statement
For guidance on how to construct your behaviour examples, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Links Behaviours
The sift will be held on the behaviour Communicating and Influencing and the statement of suitability (personal statement).
The CV will not be scored.
However, if a large number of applications are received, the sift will be conducted on the statement of suitability (personal statement) only.
The statement of suitability will be scored first for all candidates. Those candidates who achieve the minimum pass score for the statement of suitability, will progress to a further sift where the lead behaviour (Communicating and Influencing) will be scored. These candidates will therefore receive a sift score for both elements. Candidates who fail to meet the minimum pass score for the statement of suitability will not have their lead behaviour scored and will therefore only receive a sift score for the statement of suitability.
If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview which will be behaviour-based questions.
Sift and Interview dates
Sift is expected to take place week commencing 11th December 2023.
Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 15th January 2024.
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert, however on occasions these dates may change.
Interviews will be carried out via video. Candidates will be required to have access to:
- A laptop (personal or work) with a working webcam
- Good internet connection
- Skype for Business/Microsoft Teams
Further Information
For meaningful checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time to enable appropriate checks to be carried out and produce a result which provides the required level of assurance. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years if the role requires CTC clearance, 5 years for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. A lack of UK residency in itself is not necessarily a bar to a security clearance and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.
Note for Candidates
Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. All applications are screened for plagiarism and copying of examples/answers from internet sources. If any is detected the application will be withdrawn from the process. Further action, including disciplinary action, may be considered in such cases involving internal candidates. Providing false or misleading information would be contrary to the core values of honesty and integrity expected of all Civil Servants.
If you are currently an agency member of staff working within the Home Office, a contractor or contingent worker you can only apply for roles that are advertised externally, i.e. outside the civil service. If you are eligible to apply for a role, you are required to select yourself as an external applicant and not internal when submitting your application on Civil Service jobs. This will prevent any delays in pre-employment checks should you become successful in being made an offer of employment after the Interview stage.
Are these Reserved Posts for UK Nationals only?
UK nationals who hold dual nationality are able to apply for this reserved post. If a UK passport is not being presented, then candidates will need to provide alternative evidence of UK nationality in line with the Civil Service Nationality Rules.
If you are considering applying for part time hours, please contact HORCCampaignTeamHOIntel@homeoffice.gov.uk to discuss your request as not all working patterns may be accommodated.
Personal Safety Training (PST)
These roles can be physically demanding and if successful you will be required to complete and pass specialist training including Personal Safety Training (PST) which develops skills in personal safety, arrest and restraint techniques. You will be required to complete a PST health declaration and, if necessary, attend a medical examination. A formal offer will be conditional upon you being physically fit to undertake and pass the training.
Hybrid working is an option
Hybrid working enables employees to work partly in their workplace(s) and partly at home. A hybrid working pattern may be available, where business needs allow. Applicants can discuss what this means with the vacancy holder if they have specific questions.
Every day, Home Office civil servants do brilliant work to develop and deliver policies and services that affect the lives of people across the country and beyond. To do this effectively and fairly, the Home Office is committed to representing modern Britain in all its diversity, and creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people are able to bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best.
We are flexible, skilled, professional and diverse. We work to recruit and retain disabled staff and area Disability Confident Leader. We are proud to be one of the most ethnically
diverse departments in the civil service. We are a Social Mobility Foundation top 75 employer.
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.
For further information please see the attached notes for candidates which must be read before making an application.
Existing Civil Servants should note that some of the Home Office terms and conditions of employment have changed. It is the candidates responsibility to ensure they are aware of the Terms and Conditions they will adopt should they be successful in application and should refer to the notes for candidates for further details.
Transfer Terms: Voluntary. If you are invited to an interview you will be required to bring a range of documentation for the purposes of establishing identity and to aid any pre-employment checks.
Please see the attached list of Home Office acceptable ID documents.
Any move to the Home Office 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. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Reasonable Adjustments
If a person with disabilities is 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 HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.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
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
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Home Office Resourcing Centre
- Email : HORCCampaignTeamHOIntel@homeoffice.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance
HORecruitment.GRS@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission.
