** Cash Investigation Officer

Job summary

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.

Immigration Enforcement is responsible for enforcing the government’s immigration laws, tackling illegal migration, removing foreign national offenders and immigration offenders from the UK. We also aim to disrupt the organised criminal groups that exploit the vulnerable for their personal gain. Learn more on our careers pages.

As a Cash Investigator Officer within Criminal & Financial Investigations (CFI), you will play a key role in tackling organised immigration crime through specialist cash-based investigations. In this fast paced, high impact environment, your attention to detail and ability to make confident decisions under pressure will ensure criminals do not profit from their actions.

We aren’t just looking for experienced investigators; we are looking for the investigators of the future. We welcome applicants with curiosity, integrity, and the resilience to manage demanding investigations.

We employ talented people who challenge and guide each other. You will work within a highly capable team who will support you to develop your skills, knowledge and experience.

Job description

Our Criminal and Financial Investigation (CFI) teams play a fundamental role in tackling immigration crime, as part of a multi-layered UK law enforcement approach, utilising its financial investigations capability to remove the proceeds of crime and strip criminals of their assets.

You will lead investigations into detained cash linked to immigration offences, operating across both border and inland environments. You will identify, adopt and progress cash seizure cases, conduct interviews, manage a dynamic caseload and present evidence in court. You will also take part in a national on call rota and maintain accurate records on departmental systems. Working closely with senior officers, you will help deliver timely, robust investigations while meeting strict court deadlines. Initial financial intelligence training will be provided.

You will work closely with partners in the National Crime Agency, territorial policing and many other agencies and departments, our CFI Teams take vigorous action against those criminals that seek to benefit from illegal migration.

You must also be able to work on your own initiative, manage tasks independently, and take ownership of your workload. Above all, you must be committed to learning and maintaining high professional standards.

You may be required to undertake the same or a similar role within a different team or teams (where possible, at your base location or within reasonable travel distance), depending on business priorities. With appropriate training and support, this will provide opportunities to broaden both your experience and skill set.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deploy operationally across border and inland environments to identify, assess and adopt detained cash investigations at the earliest opportunity.
• Lead and progress detained cash cases from initial seizure through to conclusion, ensuring evidence is developed, timelines are met and all actions comply with relevant legislation.
• Conduct interviews with witnesses, suspects and relevant parties, securing accurate accounts that support the progression and evidential strength of each investigation.
• Present clear, confident evidence during court hearings and maintain full compliance with CPIA disclosure obligations, including the requirement to declare any adverse judicial findings or internal disciplinary matters.
• Participate in the national on‑call rota, responding flexibly to urgent operational demand and providing specialist support when cash‑related issues arise out of hours.
• Record investigative activity accurately on departmental systems and the Joint Assets Recovery Database (JARD), ensuring all data is maintained to evidential and audit standards.
• Provide timely updates to Chief Immigration Officers and His Majesty’s Inspector, maintaining clear communication on case progress, risks, and key operational developments.
• Manage a dynamic caseload of investigations, ensuring thorough, timely casework while adhering to strict court deadlines; initial financial intelligence training will be provided, with potential to progress to full Financial Investigator accreditation.

Working Pattern

Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis.

Successful candidates will need to be able to attend for all shifts including early starts, late night finishes, and overnight shifts. These shifts may be outside of public transport operating hours.

This role includes an Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA) on top of base salary, reflecting flexible working, varying shift patterns, weekends, nights and on call duties.

This role is not suitable for a combination of office and home-based working due to the requirements of the role. Successful candidates will be required to attend the office/other work location as specified in the advert at all times, to carry out this role.

Training

You will complete the Immigration Enforcement induction, arrest training (PST Level 3) and the IE Financial Investigator pathway, covering investigation, interviewing, disclosure, cash seizure and court procedures. Training is delivered in person and may involve national travel and overnight stays. You will also work towards accreditation as a Financial Intelligence Officer, supported by CPD and mentoring.

There is also potential for individual career development where Candidates can undertake relevant training to become an Accredited Financial investigator.

Travel

Immigration Officers are operational officers and may be deployed nationally at short notice, requiring travel and occasional overnight stays.

Information Session

If you want to learn more about these roles, you can join one of our free online live events, during which you will hear from staff about what the job is like, what opportunities and career prospects you may have, and why the job matters. We will also talk about the recruitment and security vetting processes, and you will have the opportunity to ask questions from our friendly and experienced team members.

Register for one of our free, optional live events. Click the date and time that suits you below:

• 1pm on 12th June (1 hour) - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/financial-investigator-national-cash-team-investigator-roles-tickets-1990467812810?aff=oddtdtcreator.
• 6pm on 16th June (1 hour) - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/financial-investigator-national-cash-team-investigator-roles-tickets-1990468050521?aff=oddtdtcreator.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, particularly the ability to produce written work to a high standard (attention to detail).
• Competent in using IT (particularly MS Excel and Word), including creating and being able to understand spreadsheets.
• Experience of working effectively in a fast-paced environment as part of a team to achieve a shared goal.
• Knowledge, experience of the Criminal Justice system and / or Immigration legislation.
• Ability to work independently.

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge and/or experience of conducting investigations.
• Experience of working for a financial institution.

Driving Licences

Due to the nature of the work and/or the geographical area, driving is a key requirement for this role. Applicants must have a full valid UK manual/automatic driving licence at the time of application. You will be required to present your full valid driving licence at the interview.

Licences

Applicants must have a full valid UK manual/automatic driving licence at the time of application. You will be required to present your full valid driving licence at the interview.

Behaviours

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

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

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

• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:

• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.
• 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service to 30 days.
• Eight days of public holidays, plus one additional privilege day.
• This role currently attracts Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA) of 29.05% (National) or 28.32% (London) of salary [depending on location], which equates to an additional £9327 to £10533 per annum based on salary minimum. Further information can be found https://careers.homeoffice.gov.uk/allowances#annual-hours.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

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

This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

We will endeavour to conduct the selection process in line with the dates indicated below, but cannot guarantee that these will not, where necessary, be revised.

1. Application – by 22nd June 2026.

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

• CV
• Personal Statement (maximum 500 words).
• Evidence of the Behaviour - Making Effective Decisions (maximum of 250 words per Behaviour).

Your CV should consist of your career history, qualifications and skills/experience including any key achievements in each role. Your CV will be scored against the experience required for the role as noted within the essential criteria.

The Personal Statement should be aligned to and demonstrate how you meet the skills and experience set out in the essential criteria, detailed in the job description.

For guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV, Personal Statement and Behaviours), you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.

2. Sift – Commencing 24th June 2026.

The sift will be held on the Personal Statement, CV and Behaviour - Making Effective Decisions.

Should a high volume of applications be received, an initial sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement and CV.

Candidates who pass the initial sift will then be progressed to a full sift that will consist of all the remaining elements submitted (Lead Behaviour - Making Effective Decisions).

Candidates who fail to meet the minimum pass score for the initial sift will not have their remaining submitted elements scored and will only receive a sift score for that assessed at the initial sift.

3. Interview – Commencing 15th July 2026.

If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview that will be Behaviours (as listed in the job advert) and Strength based questions. All Behaviours listed in the selection process will be scored at the interview.

The interview will take place on Teams.

For guidance and information on what to expect and how to prepare for an interview, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers.

Problems during the application process

If you experience problems accessing this advert, or you think you’ve made a mistake on an initial application, please contact hocandidates.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk, including the vacancy reference, at least two working days before the vacancy closes. Further information can be found on our website.

Do not create or attempt to submit another application, online test or use a different Civil Service Jobs account to proceed as this would be in violation of the candidate declaration.

Location Preference

You can select up to two locations in order of preference. Please ensure that these are locations you are prepared to travel to. If you are offered a role at one of your preferred locations and you decline, your application will be withdrawn.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made. There is no guarantee that being held on a reserve list will lead to a job offer. Further information can be found on our website.

Reserve lists will be held for each location. Candidates will be appointed in merit order by location.

Breaking Tied Scores

The behaviours, experience, and strengths have been ranked in order of importance to enable us to differentiate between candidates with tied interview scores.

Advertising in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is part of the UK. As stated in the Belfast Agreement, also known as the Good Friday Agreement, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Ireland recognise the birth right of all the people of Northern Ireland to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish or British, or both, as they may so choose, and accordingly confirm that their right to hold both British and Irish citizenship is accepted by both Governments and would not be affected by any future change in the status of Northern Ireland.

Appearances

This is a uniformed post and as such requires the highest standards. Further information on this and policies regarding tattoos can be found on our website.

Standards

All Civil Servants are expected to comply with the Civil Service Code, and its core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.

Integrity Check

As well as successfully obtaining UK Security Vetting clearance, you will also be subject to an additional Integrity Check, as part of the pre-employment process, to determine your suitability to work for Border Force or Immigration Enforcement. For further information on what this involves, please visit our website.

Reasonable Adjustments

If a person with disabilities is 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 HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.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

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section

Criminal Record Check

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service, Disclosure Scotland or Access NI 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 Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk

Feedback

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

Open to UK nationals only.

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 theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

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 : HORC Campaign Team IE
• Email : horccampaignteamie@homeoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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

Further information

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles. and you wish to make a complaint, then contact the Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

2025-11-17 Pre-employment Checking - Document Requirements (V17) Opens in new window (pdf, 231kB)Candidate_Information_v17_April_2026 Opens in new window (pdf, 207kB)