Experienced Communications Data SPOC

National Crime Agency.; Highgate; Hybrid; GBP 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency focused on serious crime is seeking a qualified individual for a role that involves serving as a Single Point of Contact (SPoC) to facilitate the acquisition of Communications Data. The successful candidate will manage risks, lead a team, and provide guidance to colleagues while maintaining high integrity standards. The position requires shift work and offers a competitive salary alongside varied benefits, including flexible working options and annual leave enhancements.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Learning and Development opportunities

Discounts on services

Qualifications

• Experience of managing, leading or developing others in support of business objectives.
• Experience of using communication skills to work with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Awareness of changing legislation and/or emerging technology or capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Act as Single Point of Contact (SPoC) between NCA and Telecommunications Operators.
• Facilitate the acquisition of Communications Data intelligence.
• Identify, prioritise and manage risk in communication requests.

Skills

Communication skills

Risk management

Data analysis

Leadership

Job description

Overview

NCA - Intelligence - Intelligence Collection coordinates NCA collection capabilities against the NCA's highest priorities. Intelligence Collection includes forensics, open source, covert human intelligence sources, undercover officers and technical collection capabilities.

For roles based in London, your contractual place of work will be Stratford. While the Stratford site is expected to become operational from November 2025 - March 2026, you will be required to carry out your contractual duties from Vauxhall or another reasonable location on a temporary basis during the interim period. Please note that, as Stratford will be your contractual place of work, any subsequent move from a temporary location will not entitle you to payments for travel time or costs under the Relocation and Excess Travel Policy.

The Communications Data Unit (CDU) operates within the Intelligence command supporting the NCA in delivering its mission to cut serious and organised crime through the acquisition of Communications Data under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. As an accredited experienced Single Point of Contact (SPOC) you will be responsible for handling applications, prioritising workflows and demand and managing colleagues in direct support of the NCA's operational delivery.

Location & Working Hours

To meet operational demands this role requires shift working. Shifts will operate across an early and late system, providing coverage between the hours of 0700-2200 Monday – Friday and 1000-1800 Saturday – Sunday + on call throughout the week to ensure 24‑hour coverage is provided. This will attract a 20% shift allowance and is subject to change.

Communications Data underpins virtually every element of modern life. It is about who we communicate with, how those communications take place, when they happened and where we were at the time. The need to understand criminal communications is at the heart of NCA Intelligence and Investigations activity, and as technology advances and digital opportunities grow, the demand for data acquisition is growing exponentially.

Responsibilities

• Act as a nationally accredited Single Point of Contact (SPoC) between the NCA and Telecommunications Operators. Accredited SPOC role is required to enable the lawful acquisition of CD in support of Agency objectives.
• Facilitate the acquisition and dissemination of Communications Data intelligence and evidence in accordance with legislation and Code of Practice. Accredited SPOC role is required to enable the lawful acquisition of CD in support of Agency objectives.
• Act as a subject matter expert to provide guidance and advice to Senior Investigating Officers and case teams on the use of Communications Data. As an accredited SPOC you will advise operational teams about the opportunities available through CD. This is a key part of your role and as such, an in depth knowledge of CD capabilities is vital in this role.
• Identify, prioritise and manage risk. With the competing demands CDU deal with, it is important you are able to identify high risk requests and prioritise the workload of you & your team accordingly.
• Proactively identify and exploit intelligence sources in collaboration with specialist teams. There are a large number of complimentary intelligence sources that enhance CD. As part of your role you will be required to understand what these are in order to advise applicants.
• Protect the NCA's reputation by upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy. Your key role as a SPOC is to ensure the appropriate use of the powers of Investigatory Powers Act and ensure integrity in the process of acquiring CD in the course of criminal investigations.
• Support colleagues with upskilling, mentoring and other relevant development. The role of a subject matter expert in CD requires you to support colleagues in progressing in their operational endeavours and support newer CDU SPOCs to maintain their SPOC accreditation and facilitate continual professional development.
• Manage resources to ensure demand is addressed within availability. As SPOC manager, you will manage the resources within the department to ensure the demand of the CD requirements of the Agency are actioned in a timely and efficient manner.
• Provide relevant Line Manager support to direct reports, and cover for colleagues. As SPOC manager, you have line management responsibility for SPOC officers within the department.
• Experience of managing, leading or developing others in support of business objectives. Within this role you will be responsible for leading a fast paced team in a demanding business area. You will be responsible for developing your officers and leading a team of SPOCs in the delivery of CD support.
• Experience of managing and prioritising competing demands in line with department and agency requirements. An understanding of the Agency's strategic objectives and priorities is key to ensure the resources of the department are best utilised in support of Agency focus.
• Awareness of changing legislation and/or emerging technology or capabilities, in particular those impacting the acquisition and interpretation of communications data to support operational requirements. The world of CD is ever evolving and legislation frequently amended to reflect this. As such, it is paramount that our SPOCs maintain a working knowledge of changing legislation and the capabilities available to the Agency with regards to CD acquisition.
• In-depth knowledge of legislation pertaining to agency activity, in particular acquisition of communications data. Officers will need to be able to assist operational teams in understanding the communications data returned and note potential errors within.
• Experience Criteria – to be assessed by 500 word examples on:
  • Experience of working with complex data sets and applying quality control processes.
  • Experience of using communication skills to work with a wide variety of stakeholders.
  • Experience of applying operational judgements within a collapsing time frame and/or whilst managing competing demands.

Qualifications & Experience

• Prior to commencing the role, you will need to successfully complete SC Enhanced clearance and then achieve both DV Enhanced and DV STRAP clearance within the first 12 months in post.

Security & Vetting

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check. See our vetting charter. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Application Process

We aim to have sift completed and scores released within 10 working days of the closing date of the advert. For high volume campaigns this timeframe may be extended. Scores will be provided but further feedback will not be available at this stage. For guidance on the application process, visit: NCA Applying and Onboarding. If successful but no role is immediately available, you may be placed on a reserve list for 12 months. Reserve lists can be used to fill similar role types across the Agency where the assessment criteria is considered a match by the recruitment team and the business area. In the event of a tie at the assessment stage, available roles will be offered in merit order using the following order:
1. Lead criteria (behaviours/technical/experience)
2. If still tied, desirable criteria will be assessed (if advertised)
3. If still tied, application sift scores will be used. Feedback is provided only to those who attend an assessment. You will be subject to vetting and pre-employment checks before appointment. Once the vacancy closes, the advert will no longer be accessible. Please save a copy for your records. We encourage all candidates to visit the NCA Careers Page for more information. Full advert details for this vacancy can be found on the advert on the NCA Recruitment Portal. Please follow the link to apply at advertiser's site. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Salary & Benefits

• Salary: £45,326.
• National Crime Agency contributes £13,130 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
• New entrants receive 26 days annual leave, rising to 31 on completion of 5 years continuous service, plus 8 bank holidays.
• If qualifying criteria is met new joiners from UK Police Forces or the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC) will have service with those employers taken into account for continuous service purposes for annual leave entitlement only, up to a maximum of 31 days leave (including 1 privilege day).
• Other benefits include:
  • Flexible working, including flexi‑time, compressed hours and job sharing (in line with business requirements)
  • Family friendly policies, notably above the statutory minimum
  • Learning and Development opportunities
  • Interest free loans and advances, including season tickets, childcare and rental deposits
  • Housing schemes – Key Worker status
  • Discounts and savings with a wide variety of services including Cycle to Work, Smart Tech schemes, dental insurance, gym discounts and savings on everyday spending, available through the Reward Gateway, Edenred and Blue Light Card schemes.
  • Staff support groups/networks
  • Sports and social activities, including membership to the Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC)
• Further information is available on the NCA Website.

Additional Information

This vacancy is using the Success Profiles framework and will assess using the following criteria: Behaviours, Experience. Artificial 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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.