Senior Investigator

National Crime Agency (NCA); London; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Crime Agency seeks a Senior Investigator to lead and manage key investigations into serious and organized crime. This role requires strong leadership skills, proven investigative experience, and a deep understanding of relevant legislation. Successful candidates will undergo security vetting and may handle sensitive cases involving child exploitation and other serious issues.

Benefits

26 days annual leave rising to 31 after 5 years

Civil Service pension scheme

Flexible working opportunities

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience managing investigations and leading teams.
• In-depth knowledge of relevant legislation.
• Ability to provide mentoring and support to junior investigators.

Responsibilities

• Manage and lead investigations into serious and organized crime.
• Work with other agencies to identify and pursue offenders.
• Ensure compliance with legislation and guidance in investigations.

Skills

Good communication

Experience in operational decision making

Leadership

Risk Management

Education

PIP2 accreditation or equivalent

Job description

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Belfast, Birmingham, Bridgend, Bristol, Calder (Normanton), Chelmsford, Crawley, Dover, Exeter, Gartcosh, Gatwick Airport (Crawley), Gillingham (Kent), Heathrow Airport, Leicester, Liverpool, London*, Nottingham, Slough, Solent (Winchester), Stevenage, Sunderland, Tolworth (Kingston-upon-Thames), Warrington

• To note for candidates selecting London as a preference – Your contractual place of work will be Endeavour Square, Stratford. It is likely that site will be operational from Summer 2025, in the interim period you will be required to carry out your contractual duties from Spring Gardens, Vauxhall, or such other reasonable location, on a temporary basis. For the avoidance of doubt as your contractual place of work is Endeavour Square, Stratford the move from any temporary place of work will not give rise to any entitlement to payments for travel time or costs under the Relocation and Excess Travel Policy.
  
  

Job Summary

Investigations is the core crime fighting capability of the NCA. We take an intelligence–led approach and concentrate on tackling the criminals and risks to the public which are beyond the capability or capacity of the other law enforcement bodies.

We are a world class investigation capability, delivered by highly skilled and motivated officers, flexibly responding to intelligence-led, centrally-tasked, Agency priorities.

Please note we anticipate we will have current vacancies in the following locations upon completion of this campaign. Please note this is subject to change and will be reviewed in line with business needs.

Bristol, Calder (Normanton), Chelmsford, Crawley, Dover, Gatwick, Gillingham (Kent), Heathrow, London, Slough, Stevenage, Sunderland, Tolworth (Kingston-upon-Thames) and Warrington.

For all other named locations, successful candidates will be added to a pipeline vacancy list.

Job Description

The Investigations Directorate provides a flexible, shared operational capability, designed to maximise the impact of the UK's collective resources against serious and organised crime, and in specialist support of major crime. Our teams respond to a broad range of threats, many of which also remain a responsibility for the police forces and other agencies as well as private industry.

Our teams lead investigations across the serious and organised crime landscape, including organised immigration crime (OIC), illicit finance, modern day slavery and human trafficking (MSHT), child sexual abuse (CSA), internal professional standards, economic crime, firearms, drugs including County Lines, anti-kidnap and extortion, professional enablers, money laundering and international bribery and corruption. The teams provide a national service of specialist investigative skills and expertise to support major crime investigations conducted by police forces, such as abduction, serial sexual crime and no body murder.

Every day will be different, using innovative approaches and ground breaking techniques you will be making decisions which help to disrupt and bring to justice criminals who present the highest threat to the UK. You may be expected to work directly or indirectly in tackling child sexual abuse (CSA).

To be considered, you will need to successfully complete SC Enhanced security vetting clearance before commencing the role. Once in post you may be required to achieve DV clearance (this will depend on which team you are allocated to). If DV is not obtained you will be required to move to a non-DV role.

If you would like to find out more about the role and the application process, we will be holding a virtual opening evenings via MS Teams on Wednesday 25th June at 6.00pm.

To register for the event, please register at VIRTUAL EVENT REGISTRATION no later than 12.00pm (midday) on Tuesday 24th June 2025. You will not be able to register after this date and time.

Please register using the email address to which you would like the virtual event link sent. Please check your email address carefully. An invite to the event will then be sent out prior to the event.

Please see our privacy policy notice for details on how your data is handled. [Link "privacy policy notice to https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/privacy-and-cookie-policy].

The Investigations Directorate provides a flexible, shared operational capability, designed to maximise the impact of the UK's collective resources against serious and organised crime, and in specialist support of major crime. Our teams respond to a broad range of threats, many of which also remain a responsibility for the police forces and other agencies as well as private industry.

Our teams lead investigations across the serious and organised crime landscape, including organised immigration crime (OIC), illicit finance, modern day slavery and human trafficking (MSHT), child sexual abuse (CSA), internal professional standards, economic crime, firearms, drugs including County Lines, anti-kidnap and extortion, professional enablers, money laundering and international bribery and corruption. The teams provide a national service of specialist investigative skills and expertise to support major crime investigations conducted by police forces, such as abduction, serial sexual crime and no body murder.

Every day will be different, using innovative approaches and ground breaking techniques you will be making decisions which help to disrupt and bring to justice criminals who present the highest threat to the UK. You may be expected to work directly or indirectly in tackling child sexual abuse (CSA).

To be considered, you will need to successfully complete SC Enhanced security vetting clearance before commencing the role. Once in post you may be required to achieve DV clearance (this will depend on which team you are allocated to). If DV is not obtained you will be required to move to a non-DV role.

If you would like to find out more about the role and the application process, we will be holding a virtual opening evenings via MS Teams on Wednesday 25th June at 6.00pm.

To register for the event, please register at VIRTUAL EVENT REGISTRATION no later than 12.00pm (midday) on Tuesday 24th June 2025. You will not be able to register after this date and time.

Please register using the email address to which you would like the virtual event link sent. Please check your email address carefully. An invite to the event will then be sent out prior to the event.

Please see our privacy policy notice for details on how your data is handled. [Link "privacy policy notice to https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/privacy-and-cookie-policy].

Person specification

Team Management:

Duties & Responsibilities

Responsible for managing and leading officers investigating serious and organised crime.

Team Working:

You will be working closely with other NCA departments and partner agencies to identify threats from criminality and work in a challenging environment to pursue offenders.

Operations Management:

You will be required to manage and lead serious and organised crime investigations as a Deputy Senior Investigating Officer / Action Allocator.

Risk Management:

Managing risk in a pressurised operational environment.

Potential On-call Working Patterns:

These roles may be part of an on-call roster to respond to emerging threats as they develop. The post holder may be required to be part of an on-call 24/7 rota which will vary between business areas. Please see the attached document which gives an indication of team- and grade-specific on-call requirements. This list is not exhaustive, so whether the role to which a successful candidate is posted comes with an on-call requirement will be outlined in any conditional offer letter issued.

Please note, you could be deployed to work on any type of investigation, including child sexual abuse (CSA). By applying for this role, you are confirming that you are willing to undertake CSA roles. The NCA will provide access to occupational health services and those in CSA roles will be required to undergo psychological assessment prior to joining the Agency.

Communication:

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Good communication skills with the ability to listen, empathise, provide support and adapt language, form and message to meet the needs of different people and audiences.

Legislation (UK And International Law):

An in-depth knowledge and use of relevant legislation (UK and International law) affecting Agency activity. Understanding of the legislative requirements for supervising serious and complex investigations.

Supervising, Mentoring And Developing Staff:

You will be managing a team of Investigators, so will require experience of mentoring and developing staff. This should include, but may not be limited to, providing advice to investigators to effectively identify, prioritise and pursue all relevant lines of enquiry, and the impact of your own leadership on colleagues and investigations.

Effective Decision Making:

You will be experienced in managing risk, and have proven experience in operational decision making and managing resources.

Leadership:

Proven experience of successfully leading or supervising people or a team to deliver against operational objectives and performance.

Risk Management:

Proven experience in managing risk in pressurised operational environment.

Supervising Investigations:

Experience of supervising investigations. This should include, but may not be limited to, examples of ensuring compliance with legislation and guidance, supervision of case progression and case files.

Team Culture:

Experience in improving culture within a team and measuring success.

Guidance On PIP2 Accreditation:

Experienced Investigators who join the Agency without PIP2 accreditation will be required to achieve this while in the post. This role may also require the candidates to sit and pass exams. Please refer to the attachment surrounding PIP2, equivalents and your eligibility to apply.

Working Patterns:

Alternate working arrangements (AWAs) on a full-time contract maybe considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that hybrid working can be considered however this is heavily dependent on business needs and operational delivery. Any request for AWAs or hybrid working can be discussed with line management at point of a conditional offer letter being issued.

Public And Personal Safety Training (PPST):

It is an essential requirement for successful candidates to pass an eight-day Public and Personal Safety Training (PPST). Applicants are urged to consider whether this is achievable prior to applying. The PPST combines cognitive input, armed and unarmed defence theory and practical techniques and, as such, requires a level of physical exertion due to the nature and repetition of the drills. The practical techniques include use of body weapons, movement and positioning, strikes (armed/unarmed) blocks, restraint and control. We will expect officers attending the course to have a standard of physical fitness. Progressive full body warm-ups are conducted each day to minimise risk of injury to the officer. It is expected that the officer is capable of a ground descent and ascent, unaided and within a reasonable timeframe. This is important both individually and in team tactics. Candidates must pass the PPST during the first 6 months of starting in the Investigator role. Failure to do so would mean you would not be able to continue in the operational Investigator role and your employment with the NCA will end. Barring any exceptional circumstances, the NCA would not seek to find you an alternative role within the Agency. An officer who passes the PPST will still be required to successfully pass their 12-month probation period to ensure continued employment with the NCA.

Licences

Full DVLA driving licence (includes full EU licence)

Qualifications

PIP2 accreditation or an equivalent recognised qualification/accreditation in investigative crime issued by a Government body (see attached NCA Guidance for Applicants).

Officers joining the NCA on a PIP-equivalent basis must attain the required PIP accreditation, and this will include taking all relevant exams and could include the requirement to complete an assessed portfolio of workplace-based evidence.

Full guidance and information can be found in the NCA applicant guidance attached to the advert.

Alongside your salary of £47,310, National Crime Agency contributes £13,705 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

All officers in the NCA are members of the UK Civil Service. You will be eligible for:

Civil Service pension scheme 26 days annual leave rising to 31 on completion of 5 years continuous service.

• If qualifying criteria is met new joiners to the NCA from UK Police Forces or UKIC will have service with those employers taken into account for continuous service purposes for Annual Leave entitlement only, this will be up to a maximum of 31 days leave (including 1 privilege day).
• Training and development opportunities
• Special leave
• Flexible working and family friendly policies
• Cycle to work scheme
• Blue Light scheme
• A range of sporting and other activities on offer
• We can provide flexible working arrangements if the role in question is suitable. This includes flexi-time, job sharing, and compressed hours (working contracted hours over a shorter period).
  
  

For further details on benefits please visit our benefits and support page.

Selection process details

If you wish to apply for this vacancy, you must submit your application by 30/06/2025, 23:55.

Application Process

In your application you may be asked to provide a selection from among the following:

• A statement outlining your suitability for the role.
• Answer specific questions about behaviours, experience, and technical skills.
• Upload a copy of your CV. You will be asked to set out your career history, including relevant training and qualifications, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please provide reasons for any gaps in employment within the last two years. Please ensure that the dates of any accreditations you are relying on are entered.
  
  

For further application guidance, please visit

https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/careers/applying-and-onboarding. Once submitted, receipt of your application will be acknowledged.

The Following Technical and Behaviours skills will be assessed during the selection process

Technical Skills:

• Understanding of the legislative requirements for supervising serious and complex investigations. This should include, but may not be limited to, knowledge of legislation relating to the conduct and supervision of investigations, decision making and risk management examples. [Leading Criteria]
• Experience of supervising investigations. This should include, but may not be limited to, examples of ensuring compliance with legislation and guidance, supervision of case progression and case files.
• Experience of supervising and supporting investigators. This should include, but may not be limited to, providing advice to investigators to effectively identify, prioritise and pursue all relevant lines of enquiry, and the impact of your own leadership on colleagues and investigations.
• Proven experience of taking steps to improve culture on an individual and team basis.
  
  

Behaviours:

• Leadership
• Delivering at Pace
  
  

Sift Process

Candidates must pass this criteria for their application to be progressed.

CV

All candidates are required to upload an up-to-date CV, outlining career history and accreditations (with dates attained) required for this role. Please see the essential criteria within the advert.

Sift

Four technical skills as listed above – demonstrating in 250 words per criterion

As part the application you will also be asked for your team preference within the experience criteria.

• Team preference - referring to the attachment, please specify which team(s) you would be most interested in working with. You may select more than one, in which case please list in order of preference. When making appointments we will try to take your preferences into account but this cannot be guaranteed. NOTE - THIS QUESTION IS NOT ASSESSED, IT IS FOR IMFORMATIVE PURPOSES ONLY
  
  

Interview

Candidates who pass the sift process will then be invited to attend a virtual interview (MS Teams) assessing the following:

Technicals

• Understanding of the legislative requirements for supervising serious and complex investigations. This should include, but may not be limited to, knowledge of legislation relating to the conduct and supervision of investigations, decision making and risk management examples. [Leading Criteria]
• Experience of supervising investigations. This should include, but may not be limited to, examples of ensuring compliance with legislation and guidance, supervision of case progression and case files.
• Experience of supervising and supporting investigators. This should include, but may not be limited to, providing advice to investigators to effectively identify, prioritise and pursue all relevant lines of enquiry, and the impact of your own leadership on colleagues and investigations.
  
  

Behaviours

• Leadership
• Delivering at Pace
  
  

In-person recruitment event

Candidates who pass the interview will then be invited to attend an in-person recruitment event. This will consist of a knowledge check test, substance misuse test and, where required, body armour measurements will be taken. You may also be required to complete elements of the pre-employment check including occupational health assessments.

This event is currently planned for Mid/End September 2025.

Full details will be given to the successful candidates.

Please note: the knowledge check test will result in a "Pass" or "Fail".

The above sift and interview dates are an indicative timeline.

Should you be successful at sift but cannot attend on the interview date(s) listed the recruitment team cannot guarantee an alternative date. Please contact the recruitment team.

Full details of the assessment process will be made available to shortlisted 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.

Any instances of plagiarism including copying of examples/answers from internet sources will result in a withdrawal of your application.

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

Interview Outcome

In the event of a tie-break at interview, then the panel will use the lead criteria (behaviour/technical /experience) to determine merit order.

If the leading scores are still tied, the panel will then assess desirable criteria to determine merit order.

If scores are still tied following the review of desirable criteria, then the panel will revert to sift scores to determine merit order. Candidates will be alerted of the outcome of their interview via the Agency's recruitment portal. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. If your application is successful and we are unable to offer you a post immediately, you will be invited to join our reserve list. If over the next 12 months we are able to offer you a position, we will contact you as soon as possible. Once we make you an offer you will then go through our vetting and pre-employment checks processes.

Full advert details for this vacancy can found on the advert on the NCA Recruitment Portal. Please follow the link to apply at advertisers' site.

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

Security

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 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.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

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.

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 : NCA Recruitment Team
• Email : [e-mail]
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email : [e-mail]
  
  

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint in relation to any stage of the recruitment and selection process please email [e-mail]. please ensure that you refer to the campaign reference number. If you remain dissatisfied following the outcome of your complaint you have the right to contact the Civil Service Commission to pursue it further.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Other, Information Technology, and Management

• Industries

  Law Enforcement

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