Intelligence Officer

1 Ruskin Square, Croydon, CR0 2WF, 14 Westfield Avenue, Stratford, London, E20 1HZ, 6 Central Square, Cardiff, CF10 1EP, 3 Arena Central, Bridge Street, Birmingham, B1 2AX, 7 and 8 Wellington Place, Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 4AP, Scottish Crime Campus, Craignethan Drive, Gartcosh Business Interchange, Glasgow, UK. G69 8AE, Carne House, 20 Corry Place, Belfast, UK. BT3 9HY, Three New Bailey, New Bailey Street, Salford, M3 5FS, 1 Unity Square, Nottingham, NG2 1AW, Benton Park View, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. NE98 1ZZ, St John’s Road, Dover, UK. CT17 9SH

Intelligence Development Team

You will be joining the Intelligence Development team, which is part of the Law Enforcement arm of HMRC, with a nationwide presence. We pursue criminals, fraudsters and smugglers who attack the UK Exchequer and build intelligence packages for criminal prosecutions.  We also work with our civil colleagues to use all the tools at HMRC’s disposal to prevent and detect serious organised crime.

We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Appointments are made on merit and based on fair and open competition.

See what it’s like to work at HMRC: find out more about us or ask our colleagues a question. Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert.

These are some of the most exciting roles in Government and Law Enforcement, so we are looking for dynamic and enthusiastic individuals who have a passion for this interesting and varied work.

These roles involve the application of problem-solving and decision-making, which will be based on rules, precedent and in-depth analysis.  You will exercise judgement and discretion within specified parameters.  Responsibility for contributing to business performance, under the guidance of others, is required. Team-working is essential, as are the qualities of tenacity, resilience and flexibility. 

These roles require hours above and beyond a normal working pattern, including short notice changes, some evening/weekend/bank holiday work and being on-call (1 week in 4, pre-rostered). You will be financially compensated (£10,100 = National or £11,700 = London) in addition to your salary, once trained – see ‘FAQs and Flexibility Payment details.

Due to the nature of the work and in order to perform the core functions of this role, a full valid UK driving licence and willingness to drive official vehicles is an essential requirement. You will be asked to provide evidence of a valid licence at the pre-employment stage. We recognise that some people cannot drive due to a disability or underlying health condition and may not be able to meet this requirement. Where this applies, you will be able to request that this requirement is removed by means of a reasonable adjustment. You will have the opportunity to tell us about any reasonable adjustments once the selection process is complete, as well as about any wider support you may need (such as undertaking the physical demands of the role).

Key Responsibilities  

• Gathering intelligence. 
• Developing quality cases for intervention and criminal prosecution across all HMRC regimes, such as complex cyber-attacks, money laundering, smuggling (including tobacco and alcohol) and new and emerging frauds.
• Travel and working away from the office, both in the UK and overseas.
• Undertaking a range of operational, tactical and strategic work, with the expectation that you will rotate into a variety of roles to develop your skills and knowledge in furtherance of your career.
• Engaging with counter fraud professionals within HMRC and external Law Enforcement Agencies across the UK.
• Maintaining an awareness of innovation within intelligence, including the development and application of digital technology.
• Giving evidence in court in relation to your work within the criminal justice system and providing witness statements.
• Conducting foot and static covert surveillance.
• Working to a standard that can withstand inspection by Team Leaders, the Courts and external authorities.
• Undertaking a wide range of desk-based duties, including the analysis of material, preparation of applications to Courts, such as Production Orders for financial material.
• Complying with legislation by undertaking the role of Disclosure Officer in relation to material, created or obtained during an investigation.

Location:

You will be asked for your location preferences at the time of application.

We will appoint in order of merit for each location. Please ensure you live within travelling distance of your chosen location(s). Office attendance will be required in line with PACR(Pay and Contract Reform) agreements as well as to meet business needs.

Your attributes:

 We are looking for individuals who thrive in our environment. You will:

• Enjoy working as part of a team whilst being self-motivated, committed, conscientious and organised, even when completing multiple tasks.
• Be able to use your own judgement to gather intelligence and assess evidence.
• Be prepared to deal with challenge and/or confrontation.
• Have the drive and determination to solve problems, whilst keeping an open mind
• Have an enquiring mind and demonstrate tenacity.
• Demonstrate attention to detail, the ability to understand and apply legislation, policy and procedure.
• Have the ability to deal with – and thrive – in a high-pressure environment, adapting to changing priorities and demands.

Essential Criteria:

These exciting roles are unique within HMRC and have a number of specific requirements. Please ensure you meet the following requirements before applying. 

You must:

• Be a UK National.
• Accept this role is physically demanding and requires mobility and fitness.
• Undertake – and pass – a programme of training which includes a hybrid of residential, online and ‘on the job’ training over a 12-month period.
• Work flexible patterns of attendance to meet the requirements of the role.
• Hold a full valid UK driving licence and be willing to drive official vehicles..

Training:

We recruit candidates based on potential and will provide full training to give you the skills and experience needed to succeed.

Successful candidates will need to undertake a training period of approximately 12-months. This will include online and on-the-job learning, a 3-week residential course and a 2-day Officer Safety Training course. The Officer Safety Training includes physical activity and requires an appropriate level of fitness.  You must be able to take part in, for example, jogging, stretching and movement exercises, self-defence and restraint techniques.

Throughout the 12-months you will have a Practical Training Officer to guide you through the process and will receive support from your management team and colleagues.

Successful completion of all training is vital for the role. We provide candidates with as much support as possible but those who do not complete – and pass – all required training cannot remain in the role and may need to be moved to an alternative role within HMRC.  If that is not possible, your employment may be terminated.

Training will continue after the initial 12-month period and throughout your career.  Other specialist training may also be required, dependent on the team you are placed in and the changing nature of surveillance work.

National Security Vetting

National Security Vetting (NSV) at Security Check clearance level (SC) is essential for this role.

If successful, a job offer will be conditional on currently holding or subsequently passing NSV at SC clearance level.

If you do not hold or are unable to obtain the required security vetting, we will withdraw the offer of employment. This is because you will not have met the conditions for employment for this role.

Working Pattern:

HMRC is committed to providing colleagues with flexibility to balance their working and personal lives to deliver their critical roles for HMRC and our customers.

We believe that flexible working can promote work-life balance and improve wellbeing and performance.

We welcome applications from those who need an alternative working arrangement. We will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.

We cannot guarantee that we can meet all requests.

Please discuss with the vacancy holder at the earliest opportunity, and before accepting a provisional job offer. 

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

Alongside your salary of £28,341, HM Revenue and Customs contributes
£7,625 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Flexibility Payment (see details and FAQ attached).
• Access to an extensive range of learning and professional development opportunities, which we encourage all staff to pursue.
• Smarter working options. A mix of three days in the office and two days at home (subject to operational demands and additional attendance which may be required).
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30 days, plus public holidays, and privilege leave.
• A variety of family friendly options for time off, both paid and unpaid.
• Access to a range of retail, travel, and lifestyle employee discounts.

Flexibility Payment:

This post attracts a Level 2 Flexibility Payment (FP) that is paid monthly with salary. This FP allows HMRC flexibility to change your work pattern, at short notice, to meet business needs.

You will be expected to undertake periods of On Call. You will also be expected to work additional hours, at weekends and outside your normal working hours/days (including bank holidays). 

In applying for a position and accepting the FP you agree that you can and will meet those attendance requirements.

Note: Payment of FP is dependent on successful completion of role specific training (see the attached document for details).

FP levels are reviewed annually – on a business need and personal basis – and may be subject to change.

If you currently receive the Flexibility Payment which may include Transition Protection and/or a Maintained Pension Value, moving to a new role may affect your payments.

Find more about HMRC benefits in ‘Your little extras and big benefits handbook’ for further information or visit Thinking of joining the Civil Service.

Open to UK nationals only.

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

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Job contact :

• Name : RIS Intelligence Recruitment Team
• Email : ris.intelligencerecruitment@hmrc.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : hmrcrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk