Central Authorities Unit- Senior Officer
Job summary
The Central Authorities Unit (CAU) comprises two teams based in London and Warrington, responsible for the provision and quality assurance of authorities and warrants in support of covert activity conducted by NCA operational teams across the UK. The CAU provides specialist support, advice, and guidance to colleagues and partners, ensuring the lawful and consistent authorisation of covert activity in accordance with relevant legislation.
The role requires in-depth knowledge of Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS), including the Criminal Conduct Act (CCA), as well as Undercover (UC/UCOL) legislation. The successful candidate will act as a senior point of contact for operational teams and the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office (IPCO), ensuring accurate reporting, effective stakeholder engagement, and the timely resolution of queries.
The post holder will be accountable for maintaining robust governance and oversight of CHIS and UC activity, ensuring that all records are accurate, and that reporting and notifications to IPCO are completed in line with statutory requirements. This includes ensuring that review and renewal processes are effectively managed within required timeframes, providing leadership to ensure compliance and consistency across this work area.
In addition, the role will lead on promoting best practice and continuous improvement, working closely with CHIS and UC teams to strengthen standards and enhance capability. The post holder will oversee second-line assurance activity, including the dip-sampling of CHIS authorities, ensuring that findings from IPCO inspections are translated into tangible improvements and embedded within CAU processes. The role also includes identifying risks, driving improvements to assurance frameworks, and ensuring that all activity is defensible, proportionate, and aligned with legislative and organisational requirements.
The Central Authorities Unit (CAU) is a dynamic, supportive team at the heart of covert operations. We provide expert guidance, assurance and advice on authorities and warrants, helping colleagues and partners navigate legislation with confidence. Join us to contribute to impactful work that enables NCA teams to deliver vital operational outcomes.
Job description
This role requires the successful candidate(s) to lead and manage a small team responsible for the coordination of NCA covert authorities in support of operational activity. You will develop and maintain a high standard of subject matter expertise, demonstrating the effective use of intelligence to support covert tactics in line with relevant legislation.
You will be highly self motivated, resilient, and able to perform under pressure within a dynamic and high risk environment. You will quickly build knowledge of the systems and processes associated with authorities, applying this to deliver high quality outcomes.
As a Subject Matter Expert (SME), you will interpret legislation as part of the second line assurance process for Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS) and Under Cover (UC/UCOL) applications post authorisation. This includes advising, supporting, and upskilling stakeholders to ensure compliance and best practice.
You will also develop and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external partners, fostering collaborative working. This includes close engagement with the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office (IPCO).
Person specification
OrganisedExperience of working to tight deadlines with the ability to prioritise workload against competing job demands and resources to meet operational objectives. LegislationIn depth knowledge and use of relevant legislation affecting Agency activity and the ability to interpret and apply this when required.Decision makingAbility to and experience of making effective decisions taking into consideration operational demands and timeframes.ManagementProven experience of successfully leading or supervising people or a team to deliver against operational objectives and performance.CommunicationAbility to communicate with staff at all levels to overcome issues and challenges to achieve a successful outcome. Service deliveryAbility to work with internal and external stakeholders to ensure delivery of professional excellence.Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £45,326, National Crime Agency contributes £13,130 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).New entrants to the NCA 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, this will be 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.
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 and Experience.Desirable Criteria
Desirable criteria are only used for assessment in the event of a tie break.- Can demonstrate experience from performing a CHIS Handler role or CHIS Controller role either previously or currently.- Can demonstrate experience of working within a Covert Authorities Bureau.
- Can demonstrate a strong understanding and practical experience in this area, enabling them to provide authoritative Subject Matter Expert (SME) advice on complex issues and the legislative framework governing covert activity.
How we will assess you
Your application will be assessed against the following:Experience - This will be assessed:Experience Criteria - will be assessed by 250 word examples on:- Experience of managing work prioritisation against competing demands.
- An understanding of legislation affecting agency activity.
- Proven experience of supervising or managing a team to meet operational objectives.
Longlist
In the event of a high number of applications, we may operate a longlist. Applicants will need to meet the minimum pass mark for the lead criteria.
- Experience of managing work prioritisation against competing demands. .
Candidates who do not meet the minimum pass mark for the lead criteria will not progress to having their other criteria assessed. Applications must meet the minimum criteria to be progressed to the assessment stage.
You will receive an acknowledgement once your application is submitted.
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
Assessment 1
The format of this assessment will be Interview which will be tested on the criteria listed in the Success Profiles at Assessment section.
Success Profiles at Assessment
Behaviours- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
- Experience of managing work prioritisation against competing demands.
- An understanding of legislation affecting agency activity.
- Proven experience of supervising or managing a team to meet operational objectives.
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:
- Lead criteria (behaviours/technical/experience)
- If still tied, desirable criteria will be assessed (if advertised)
- If still tied, application sift scores will be used
Vetting requirements - SC Enhanced
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. The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years.The requirement for DV Enhanced clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 7 of the last 10 years.To obtain DV STRAP you must be willing to undergo STRAP induction and must hold full UK nationality or dual nationality, where one component is British. Applications will be considered on a case by case basis.Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.If the increased clearance cannot be obtained you will be moved to a role appropriate to your clearance level achieved on entry. For further information on National Security Vetting checks please visit the following page Demystifying VettingIndividuals will be required to undertake and pass a substance misuse test as part of pre-employment checks.Occupational Health
Successful candidates will be expected to undertake an occupational health assessment. Depending on the role an in-person medical may be required in either London or Warrington. Unfortunately, travel costs will not be reimbursed.Things you need to know
Multi Location
Where multiple locations are advertised, appointments will be made in merit order for each location.
Please indicate up to three location preferences clearly. Only your first three preferences will be considered. You may be allocated to any of the locations you select. If you decline an offer for a location you have selected as a preference, a further offer may not be made.
If you choose to reject an offer and no alternative preferred location can be offered, you will not be able to return to the process or be placed on a reserve list.
Only the advertised locations are available; any additional notes added to the application will not be taken into account.
Near Miss
If you meet the criteria for a lower grade, you may be offered that role if not appointable at the advertised grade.
Conversely, if found appointable at a higher grade but no posts are available, you may be offered a lower-grade role.
All offers are made based on merit.
Hybrid Working
The NCA supports hybrid working. The extent of remote working will depend on the role and can be discussed at the offer stage.Reasonable Adjustments
We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and an inclusive, equal opportunities employer.
We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone can be their authentic self. If you’re neurodiverse, have a disability, or live with a long-term health condition, we encourage you to let us know about any reasonable adjustments you may need during the recruitment process.
If you experience accessibility issues with the advert or require reasonable adjustments, please contact our Recruitment Team at Central.Recruitment@nca.gov.uk before the advert closing date.
Please ensure you complete the ‘Equal opportunities’ and 'Reasonable Adjustments' sections in the application form to inform us on what support you may need in the recruitment process.
For more on our Disability Confident commitment, visit Disability Confident Scheme , Civil Service Careers.
Visit NCA Benefits and Support for more details.
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 developed vetting (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 : Central Recruitment Team
- Email : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk
Further information
If you believe your application has not been treated fairly, email: Central.Recruitment@nca.gov.uk (quoting the vacancy reference).If unresolved, you may escalate your complaint to the Civil Service Commission.
Salary range
- £45,326 per year