HEO(Q) Criminal Investigator

The Insolvency Service; Croydon; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

L'Insolvency Service recherche un enquêteur criminel pour rejoindre son équipe, où vous serez responsable d'enquêtes sur des infractions complexes de faillite et de fraude. Vous travaillerez en étroite collaboration avec des avocats et des organismes d'application de la loi pour assurer la justice et la transparence. Des capacités analytiques solides et une connaissance approfondie des lois criminelles sont essentielles pour ce rôle dynamique au sein d'une agence gouvernementale reconnue.

Benefits

Flexibilité de travail

Congés payés supplémentaires pour le bénévolat

Programme de bien-être des employés

Accès à une pension à prestations définies

Provisions de congé parental compétitif

Qualifications

• Antécédents probants en enquêtes criminelles, idéalement avec un organisme gouvernemental ou la police.
• Membre du Programme de Lutte contre la Fraude du Gouvernement ou volonté de rejoindre.
• Connaissance des lois sur la preuve criminelle, notamment CPIA et PACE.

Responsibilities

• Investiguer des infractions criminelles, y compris la fraude complexe.
• Préparer des dossiers de cas avec des rapports détaillés.
• Collaborer avec les avocats en matière de poursuites et de conseils.

Skills

Communication

Analyse

Résolution de problèmes

Education

PIP2 ou équivalent

Job description

Croydon, Exeter, Ipswich, Stratford

Job Summary

The Insolvency Service is a leading Government agency which plays a crucial role in providing essential services to the public and to business. The work we do is important to the proper functioning of markets, the economy in general and support for thousands of people each year who are in financial difficulty.

Investigation and Enforcement Services (IES) directorate aims to deliver and promote a range of investigation and enforcement activities, both civil and criminal in nature, to support fair and open markets. We do this by effectively enforcing the statutory company and insolvency regimes, maintaining public confidence in those regimes, and reducing the harm caused to victims of fraudulent activity and to the business community.

The Criminal Investigation Team is responsible for conducting criminal investigations into insolvency and corporate-related criminal offences which support the Agency’s objective to tackle financial wrongdoing. The team works closely with our civil investigation teams and our Legal Services Directorate internally and other Law Enforcement partner organisations to ensure that we fulfil our role in delivering Governmental strategies.

Inclusive and diverse teams are important to us. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups underrepresented in our workforce. The Insolvency Service strives to ensure that the agency is a safe, inclusive and welcoming place for everybody to bring their true self to work and to help the agency to achieve its diversity objectives. We have 10 active employee network groups available to join or become an ally, these include, Carers Network, Disability & Health, FACES Network Group, Grass Roots, LGBT+, Mind Matters, No Limits, Part Time Workers, The Shed, and Women’s Network Group.

We offer full-time, part-time, job share and flexible ways of working. We value capability, technical skills and experience and we place great emphasis on lifetime development to support our people. We encourage our employees to become more involved in areas they feel strongly about, whether it be for the benefit of the agency, though our Engagement network or in their own local communities via volunteering opportunities.

The Insolvency Service is a great place to work, learn and grow your career!

Job Description

Investigate a range of criminal offences including complex fraud, bankruptcy, insolvency and Covid related offences. Obtain detailed statements of witnesses in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1967, Magistrates Court Act 1980 and the Criminal Justice Act of 1988 and 2003.

Interview persons suspected of offences under the provisions of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE).

Prepare case files with detailed evidence-based reports on the findings of investigations in accordance with the management of disclosure material under the Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act 1996 (CPIA). These will be to a high standard suitable for testing in Criminal Courts, often to tight timescales.

Work closely with line management to effectively manage your caseload, reviewing the progress of cases, maintaining quality and meeting legislative demands. Ensure quality in the preparation of cases, leading to criminal proceedings or disclosure to other regulators.

Work closely with the Agency's prosecution and advisory lawyers and counsel, take the lead and drive follow up action arising from criminal cases. Contribute to discussion with lawyers and counsel, being a witness in appropriate cases and attending court as a witness/disclosure officer. Work closely with other investigation/prosecution/enforcement disciplinary agencies and stakeholders to ensure enforcement action is progressed appropriately and promptly, ensuring value for money.

To contribute to the performance of the team and the achievement of the team targets as well as embedding continuous improvement activity, as well as maintaining investigation standards.

Responsibilities

The main duties of the role are:

• Investigate a range of criminal offences including complex fraud, Companies House, bankruptcy, insolvency and Covid related offences. Obtain detailed statements of witnesses in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1967, Magistrates Court Act 1980 and the Criminal Justice Act of 1988 and 2003
• Interview persons suspected of offences under the provisions of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE)
• Prepare case files with detailed evidence-based reports on the findings of investigations in accordance with the management of disclosure material under the Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act 1996 (CPIA). These will be to a high standard suitable for testing in Criminal Courts, often to tight timescales
• Work closely with line management to effectively manage your caseload, reviewing the progress of cases, maintaining quality and meeting legislative demands. Ensure quality in the preparation of cases, leading to criminal proceedings or disclosure to other regulators
• Work closely with the Agency’s prosecution and advisory lawyers and counsel, take the lead and drive follow up action arising from criminal cases. Contribute to discussion with lawyers and counsel, being a witness in appropriate cases and attending court as a witness/disclosure officer. Work closely with other investigation/prosecution/enforcement disciplinary agencies and stakeholders to ensure enforcement action is progressed appropriately and promptly, ensuring value for money
• To contribute to the performance of the team and the achievement of the team targets as well as embedding continuous improvement activity, as well as maintaining investigation standards
  
  

Investigate a range of criminal offences including complex fraud, bankruptcy, insolvency and Covid related offences. Obtain detailed statements of witnesses in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1967, Magistrates Court Act 1980 and the Criminal Justice Act of 1988 and 2003.

Interview persons suspected of offences under the provisions of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE).

Prepare case files with detailed evidence-based reports on the findings of investigations in accordance with the management of disclosure material under the Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act 1996 (CPIA). These will be to a high standard suitable for testing in Criminal Courts, often to tight timescales.

Work closely with line management to effectively manage your caseload, reviewing the progress of cases, maintaining quality and meeting legislative demands. Ensure quality in the preparation of cases, leading to criminal proceedings or disclosure to other regulators.

Work closely with the Agency's prosecution and advisory lawyers and counsel, take the lead and drive follow up action arising from criminal cases. Contribute to discussion with lawyers and counsel, being a witness in appropriate cases and attending court as a witness/disclosure officer. Work closely with other investigation/prosecution/enforcement disciplinary agencies and stakeholders to ensure enforcement action is progressed appropriately and promptly, ensuring value for money.

To contribute to the performance of the team and the achievement of the team targets as well as embedding continuous improvement activity, as well as maintaining investigation standards.

The Main Duties Of The Role Are

• Investigate a range of criminal offences including complex fraud, Companies House, bankruptcy, insolvency and Covid related offences. Obtain detailed statements of witnesses in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1967, Magistrates Court Act 1980 and the Criminal Justice Act of 1988 and 2003
• Interview persons suspected of offences under the provisions of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE)
• Prepare case files with detailed evidence-based reports on the findings of investigations in accordance with the management of disclosure material under the Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act 1996 (CPIA). These will be to a high standard suitable for testing in Criminal Courts, often to tight timescales
• Work closely with line management to effectively manage your caseload, reviewing the progress of cases, maintaining quality and meeting legislative demands. Ensure quality in the preparation of cases, leading to criminal proceedings or disclosure to other regulators
• Work closely with the Agency’s prosecution and advisory lawyers and counsel, take the lead and drive follow up action arising from criminal cases. Contribute to discussion with lawyers and counsel, being a witness in appropriate cases and attending court as a witness/disclosure officer. Work closely with other investigation/prosecution/enforcement disciplinary agencies and stakeholders to ensure enforcement action is progressed appropriately and promptly, ensuring value for money
• To contribute to the performance of the team and the achievement of the team targets as well as embedding continuous improvement activity, as well as maintaining investigation standards
  
  

Person specification

• A proven and extensive Investigative background in complex crime/fraud cases, which ideally should have been gained with a Government Department/Agency, Police Service or similar organisation
• Proven experience of being an Investigation officer in serious and complex crime
• A team player with excellent communication skills, used to working in partnership with fellow law enforcement professionals and colleagues
• Excellent analytical skills
• Membership of the Government Counter Fraud Profession, or willingness to join
• A demonstrable knowledge of the rules of criminal evidence, particularly in relation to CPIA, the Attorney General’s Guidelines, the Criminal Procedure Rules 2020 and associate legislation. A demonstrable knowledge of PACE, Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) is essential, together with a working knowledge of Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA)
• Ability to prioritise cases against competing demands and deadlines
• The post holder will need to possess a calm, authoritative and adaptable approach. Above all he/she will need to demonstrate keen problem-solving skills, flexibility and drive
• Knowledge of legislation affecting bankruptcy and companies is desirable
  
  

Essential Criteria

• A proven, extensive, and demonstrable criminal/fraud investigation background, which ideally should have been gained within a Government Department Agency, Police Service, or similar organisation
• Membership of the Government Counter Fraud Programme, or willingness to join
• A Full UK Driving Licence is essential and own vehicle is desirable
• The successful candidate will need to pass security clearance at the NPPV2 level which will be processed as part of the onboarding process
  
  

Licences

Full Driving Licence

Qualifications

PIP2 or Equivalent

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
  
  

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Making Effective Decisions
  
  

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Professional competency and knowledge of CPIA.
  
  

Alongside your salary of £36,920, Insolvency Service contributes £10,695 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Benefits

We want you to have a good work-life balance and want to support you in all that you do, so we offer a great benefits package including:

• flexible working arrangements and flexi-time
• full time new entrants to the Civil Service and those Civil Servants on modernised terms and conditions will be entitled to 25 days leave increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service
• in addition to this you are entitled to 8 public/bank holidays plus an additional day of privilege leave
• competitive maternity, paternity and parental leave
• 5 days paid leave for learning and development
• 5 days paid for volunteering
• a Cycle to work scheme
• staff have access to an employee assistance programme, Workplace Wellness, for confidential, independent support and advice during difficult times in either their professional or personal life
  
  

Your pension is a valuable part of your total reward package where the employer makes a significant contribution to the cost of your pension. Your contributions come out of your salary before any tax is taken. This means, if you pay tax, your take-home pay will not be reduced by the full amount of your contribution; and your pension will continue to provide valuable benefits for you and your family if you are too ill to continue to work or die before you retire. For more information, visit www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete:

• CV
• Personal Statement
• Behaviours
  
  

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Behaviour 1 - Making Effective Decisions

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview.

Your CV should provide a clear overview of your employment history, key responsibilities, relevant qualifications, and the skills and experience you’ve gained throughout your career including any notable achievements.

Note: Your CV will be scored as part of the assessment process and will be assessed against the criteria outlined in the job advert.

Your personal statement should be no more than 500 words and must demonstrate how your personal skills, qualities, and experience align with the requirements of the role. Please ensure your statement references the essential criteria outlined in the person specification.

If successful at the sift stage, at interview, you will be assessed on the following:

• Behaviours - assessed through:

• Behaviour 1 - Making Effective Decisions
  
  

• Behaviour 2 - Communicating and Influencing
  
  

• Behaviour 3 - Delivering at Pace
• Technical Skills
  
  
Expected timeline (subject to change)

Sift – w/c 28 July 2025

Interview – w/c 11 August 2025

Location - MS Teams

Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.

Use of AI

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.

Visa Applicants

To sponsor a candidate under the Skilled Worker visa, a sponsorship licence is required. The Insolvency Service does not currently hold this licence and therefore, cannot legally sponsor Skilled Worker visa applicants.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Insolvency Service 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; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing [e-mail] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

Transforming Workplaces

The Insolvency Service is currently delivering an exciting five-year transformation project that started in April 2022 which will define our future direction supporting a gradual migration to a Regional Centre model combined with smarter ways of working. As part of this, transforming our estate will align us with the government modernisation programmes making The Insolvency Service a great place to work.

We are letting you know about our future plans because if you are joining the Insolvency Service and are recruited into an office over the next five years that is not one of the Regional Centres, you will be expected to move to one of the Regional Centres in the future. This move would not attract financial assistance.

The 11 Regional Centres are : Birmingham, Cardiff, Croydon, Edinburgh, Exeter, Ipswich, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Stratford.

Hybrid Working

Insolvency Service operates a hybrid working policy subject to business need, giving people the flexibility to choose when and where they work and collaborate with others.

Individuals are expected to work from one of the office locations stated in the advert to connect with their colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs. There is flexibility to split the working week, spending a minimum of 60% in the workplace, which includes the office, site visits, court etc.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put 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 [e-mail] 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

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Security

Successful 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.

Successful 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 Service

The 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.

The 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 Inclusion

The 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).

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

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

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 applicants

Job Contact

• Name : Gary Clarke
• Email : [e-mail]
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email : [e-mail]
  
  

Further information

A candidate can raise a complaint to the Insolvency Service if they think that:

They have been discriminated against under the Equality Act 2010.

There have been procedural irregularities at any stage of the recruitment process.

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance: [e-mail]. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive you can then contact the Civil Service Commission.

All complaints must be received by the contact point for applicants within 24 hours from the date the applicant is advised of their non-success at sift, assessment or interview. Complaints will be considered by an independent third-party outside of the recruitment campaign. The decision will be conveyed to the applicant, in writing, within 5 working days of receipt of the complaint. The recruitment process will usually be put on hold until the complaint has been resolved.

Complaints may also be made to the Civil Service Commission at any time if the individual believes their application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment principles (appointment on merit through fair and open competition). However, complaints must first have been raised with Government Recruitment Service.