Overview
National Digital Investigation Unit – Digital Investigator – Croydon
About the job
Job summary
Discover a career in your hands at HMRC. Whether you’re seeking purpose, growth, or a workplace that gives you a true sense of belonging, hear from some of our employees as they share their story about what it’s really like to work at HMRC.
Visit our YouTube channel to watch the full series and come and discover your potential.
HMRC is the UK’s tax, payments and customs authority and we have a vital purpose: we collect the money that pays for the UK’s public services and help families and individuals with targeted financial support.
HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service (FIS) is responsible for the department’s civil and criminal investigations.
FIS provides HMRC with an effective investigation arm to enforce the Department’s compliance policies. This enables the Department to deliver against the strategic responsibilities across all the taxes and duties it administers. This includes complex offshore evasion, international smuggling of illicit excise goods, exports of controlled weapons and technology, labour market abuses, VAT and Self-Assessment repayment frauds and a host of other fraud attacks targeted at the tax system.
FIS is home to a wide range of people with a variety of skills and professional backgrounds – including accountants, cybercrime specialists, criminal justice professionals, tax professionals and operational delivery support teams to name but a few. We use a range of powers and approaches to protect funding for UK public services, investigating the most harmful tax cheats and ensuring nobody is beyond our reach.
Covert Operations, Digital Exploitation (CODE) sits within HMRC’s wider Fraud Investigation Service (FIS). Working across Law Enforcement and government, CODE provides investigative tools and covert techniques to front-line investigations and works with key partners to develop and provide access to new technology and systems to enable investigators to respond to serious and complex tax evasion and crime.
Job description
HMRC is faced with increasingly complex frauds committed by well-resourced and, often, digitally informed and aware criminal groups.
This post sits within the CODE Digital Operations command that includes the Communications Data Unit (CDU) and the National Digital Investigation Unit (NDIU). This command recognises the importance and synergy between these two technical areas.
This is an opportunity to join CODE Digital Operations during a crucial period of expansion, development of capability and impact.
The NDIU specialise in digital problem solving, drawing upon operational experience and pragmatic application of datasets, such as but not limited to Communications data, Open Source Intelligence, vehicle telematics, ANPR data and digital forensics (handset downloads).
Developing an effective digital strategy is fundamental to achieving meaningful operational outcomes.
The NDIU has a presence in most Regional Centres and strategic sites. Being a national team involves regular travel with overnight stays to attend training courses or work alongside colleagues, particularly within the first year on the team.
Person specification
You will be joining a team of full time Digital Investigators providing ongoing and dynamic operational advice and support to case teams and wider internal ‘customers’ such as, the Priority Criminals Unit, Internal Investigations, Protected Persons Unit and the Operational Security network to name a few.
You will become proficient in the application of Digital Investigation techniques, exploiting social media, closed sources and emerging communications systems, using several bespoke third party solutions.
You will provide advice in support of proactive and reactive operations including live deployments to identify data acquisition and exploitation opportunities. Ranging from sustained dedicated support over many months to short term assistance.
You will be working on interesting and high impact cases covering the full range HMRC’s statutory functions, some of which are aligned to FIS Tactical priorities. Exploiting all available digital opportunities to help achieve the case teams’ objectives. Gathering intelligence and evidence on individuals, corporates, and organised crime groups to progress and enhance criminal investigations into attacks on our tax systems.
You will be responsible for considering and creating bespoke digital strategies to assist and support high priority, complex and sensitive HMRC investigations. Provide guidance to SIOs/Investigators on the application of technology in investigations. Taking a lead role in difficult or complex cases.
You will be part of a 1 in 4 On-call cadre.
This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a command that enhances HMRC’s response to sophisticated organised crime and serious fraud.
Our work is varied, rewarding and impactful, investigating the most harmful tax frauds and criminal groups.
Every day will be different. Using innovative digital approaches and techniques, you will be making decisions that will help tackle fraudsters who present the highest threat to the UK Exchequer.
You will be working with like-minded people, who constantly look for opportunities to add value and share knowledge to drive investigations forward.
Bespoke training will be available to cover the range and skills required in the role.
Essential Criteria:
Candidates must:
• Have a HMRC Accredited Counter Fraud Qualification Level 4 Diploma, or its HMRC predecessor BTEC level 3 Diploma in Criminal Investigation
Or
• Previous PIP2 qualification, and successful completion of HMRC’s Criminal Investigation Foundation training programme and abridged Training Assessment Period.
• A sound knowledge of Communications Data.
• An understanding of Digital Investigation opportunities.
This role requires experience of conducting criminal investigations and a thorough working knowledge of Criminal Justice procedures. Including,
• Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA).
• Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA).
• Police Act 1997.
• Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (PoCA).
• Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act (CPIA).
• Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE).
Desirable Criteria:
• An awareness of Digital Forensic opportunities.
Flexibility Payment:
This post attracts a Level 2 Flexibility Payment (FP) that is paid monthly with salary. Details of the Flexibility Payment can be found in the attached document.
Qualifications
Candidates must either:
– Have a HMRC Accredited Counter Fraud Qualification Level 4 Diploma, or its HMRC predecessor BTEC level 3 Diploma in Criminal Investigation,
Or
– Previous PIP2 qualification, and successful completion of HMRC’s Criminal Investigation Foundation training programme and abridged Training Assessment Period.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Making Effective Decisions
- Delivering at Pace
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £41,289, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £11,961 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.
We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.
- Pension – We make contributions to our colleagues’ Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary.
- Family friendly policies.
- Personal support.
- Coaching and development.
To find out more about HMRC benefits and find out what it’s really like to work for HMRC hear from our insiders or visit Thinking of joining the Civil Service.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
How to Apply
As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide the following:
- A name-blind CV, to include your job history and experience.
- A 250-word Personal Statement, demonstrating how you meet the Job Description and Essential Criteria.
- Separate 250-word statements covering each of the Behaviours: Leadership, Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace.
Please also complete a separate statement (max 250-words) for the Desirable Criteria, where applicable. This is not essential for the role but may be considered by the vacancy-holder where candidates have the same scores at sift or interview.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
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.
Sift
In the event of a large number of applications being received, an initial sift may be held on the Personal Statement and Lead Behaviour – Leadership.
At full sift your CV, Personal Statement and all Behaviour statements will be assessed, with the successful candidate being invited to interview.
We may also raise the score required at any stage or the process if we receive a high number of applications.
Interview
During the panel interview, you will be asked Behaviour-based questions on all those listed above to explore in detail what you are capable of, and Strength-based questions to explore what you enjoy and your motivations relevant to the job role.
You will also be required to deliver a presentation on a recent example/case study of a Digitally focussed Investigation that you carried out. To highlight some of the challenges and the techniques that you used to reach the objectives. This would be expected to be approx. 10-15minutes long.
This is an example of a strengths-based question:
“It is often said that the customer’s needs should come first. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?”
There is no expectation or requirement for you to prepare for the strengths-based questions in advance of the interview, though you may find it helpful to spend some time reflecting on what you enjoy doing and what you do well.
Interviews will be via video link (Microsoft Teams).
Sift and Interview details to be confirmed.
Eligibility
Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. We understand mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days(Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we will not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake, please contact us via: unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk – Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example – ‘Please re-open my application – [Insert Vac Ref] & vacancy closing date [Insert Date]’
To check that you are eligible to apply for this role, please review the eligibility information before submitting your application.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles – if this applies to you, we’ll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.
Criminal Record Check
Applications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.
Merit List
After interview, a single merit list will be created, and appointments will be made in strict merit order until the set demand is filled. If successful, you will be informed when we reach your position on the merit list.
Reasonable Adjustments
We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact the UBS Recruitment Excellence Team via unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.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.
Additional Security Information
Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.
Important information for existing HMRC contractual homeworkers
Please note that this role is unsuitable for contractual homeworkers due to the nature and/or requirements of the role.
Term and Conditions
Customer facing roles in HMRC require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement, this will be tested as part of the selection process.
HMRC has a presence in every region of the UK. For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations.
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences.
Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application(s) will be withdrawn from the process.
Recording of interviews is prohibited unless explicit agreement is sought in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations.
Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert.
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.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
New entrants will join on the minimum of the pay band.
Please note that if you are applying for roles on a part-time basis, the salary agreed will be pro-rata, reflective of the working hours agreed within your contract.
If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.
For more Information for people applying for, or thinking of applying for, roles at HM Revenue and Customs, please see link: Working for HMRC: information for applicants – GOV.UK.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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.
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.
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).
