Criminal Investigator

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.

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 9 active employee network groups available to join or become an ally, these include, Carers Network, Disability network group, Employee Assistance, Representatives, FACES Network Group, LGBT+, Mind Matters, Part Time Workers, The Shed - Men’s Network Group 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

The Criminal Investigation Team is responsible for conducting criminal investigations concerning insolvency and corporate related criminal offences, which support the Agency’s objective to tackle financial wrongdoing. The team works closely with civil investigation teams, our Legal Services Directorate internally, and other Law Enforcement partner organisations, to ensure that we fulfil our role in delivering Governmental strategies. We strive to target offences under the Companies House Reform Legislation, along with others, including misuse of government backed Covid recovery funds.

We are recruiting experienced criminal investigators for our Criminal Investigation Teams in offices around the country, who will play a key role of investigating offences under the Insolvency Act 1986, Companies Act 2006, Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986, Fraud Act 2006, Theft Act 1968 and Economic Crime and Transparency Act 2023.

You will report to the Investigation Manager and the Chief Investigator, based at one of our various offices.

Regular attendance will be required in your selected office in accordance with the hybrid working model of 60% office attendance.

Some travel to obtain witness statements and interview suspects will be required, in addition to attending meetings with stakeholders and other regulators. Occasional overnight stays may be required.

The jobholder must be flexible regarding the length and timing of the working day to meet the demands of the business.

Occasional evening/weekend work may be necessary – to be worked in compliance with the European Working Time Directive.

Responsibilities

The main duties of the role are to:

• Investigate a range of criminal offences. These include complex fraud, bankruptcy, insolvency and Covid related offences
• Obtain detailed statements from witnesses in accordance with provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1967, Magistrates Court Act 1980 and the Criminal Justice Acts 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 actions 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
• Contribute to the performance of the team and the achievement of the team targets by embedding continuous improvement activity, as well as maintaining investigation standards

Person specification

• Significant and demonstrable criminal/fraud investigation background, desirably gained within a Government Department Agency, Police Service, or similar organisation
• Excellent analytical skills
• Membership of or willingness to join the Government Counter Fraud Programme
• Ability to plan operations and initiatives, whilst prioritising cases against competing procedures and deadlines
• A calm, authoritative and adaptable approach, with keen problem-solving skills

Essential Criteria

• A full UK driving licence is essential and own vehicle is desirable
• Excellent communication skills, used to working in partnership with fellow law enforcement professionals and colleagues including: witnesses, victims, legal representatives, cross government and enforcement agencies
• Comprehensive, in practice experience that demonstrates how you have led cases to successful outcomes, through applying the rules of criminal evidence, using:
  • CPIA 1996: Code of practice on criminal investigations around recording and preservation of evidence, and duties to reveal material under the Disclosure Test and understanding of AG Guidelines
  • PACE 1984: Acting fairly when questioning victims, witnesses and suspects under Codes of Practice
  • UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018: Rights of data subjects

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge of legislation affecting bankruptcy and companies
• Knowledge and experience of applying for confiscation of the proceeds of crime under POCA 2002 legislation

Further Information

The role requires the successful candidate to have, or to attain, National Security Vetting, at SC clearance level; current holders of SC (or above) can transfer their clearance across. The Insolvency Service will commence SC for those who require it as part of the onboarding process.

From 1st April 2026, applicants will be required to meet nationality and residency requirements so that National Security Vetting (NSV) checks can be conducted. If you want to learn more, visit United Kingdom Security Vetting: Applicant - GOV.UK

Licences

Full UK Driving License

Behaviours

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

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

Technical skills

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

• In a 250 word technical statement, give an example of an investigation where you faced some challenges around rules of disclosure. Demonstrate how you managed the material in line with CPIA 1996 and the Attorney General Guidelines 2024.
• Comprehensive, in practice experience, that demonstrates how you have taken lead on cases which produced successful outcomes through applying the rules of criminal evidence and disclosure under CPIA 1996 and AG Guidelines 2024.

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

• In a 250 word technical statement, give an example of an investigation where you faced some challenges around rules of disclosure. Demonstrate how you managed the material in line with CPIA 1996 and the Attorney General Guidelines 2024.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £39,259, Insolvency Service contributes £11,373 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

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

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, Experience and Technical skills.

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

• CV
• Technical Skills

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

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the CV, assessing candidates against the essential criteria. Only those who meet the essential criteria at this stage will proceed to a full assessment of their application. If a candidate does not meet the minimum requirements during the initial sift, the remainder of their application will not be reviewed. 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.

For the Technical Skills assessment, please provide a 250-word technical statement answering the following question aligned to the essential criteria:

'Complex investigations can involve a large volume of documentary and digital evidence. Please give an example of an investigation where you faced some challenges around rules of disclosure. Demonstrate how you managed the material in line with CPIA 1996 and the Attorney General Guidelines 2024.'

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– Delivering at Pace
  • Behaviour 3– Communicating and Influencing
• Technical Skills

You will be assessed against these Technical Skills during the interview process, aligned to the essential criteria:

'Comprehensive, in practice experience, that demonstrates how you have taken lead on cases which produced successful outcomes through applying the rules of criminal evidence and disclosure under CPIA 1996 and AG Guidelines 2024.'

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Sift – week commencing 9th March 2025

Interview – 19th March 2026 - 1st April 2026

Location – Birmingham, Croydon or Manchester; see full addresses below

Third floor, Cannon House, 18 Priory Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6FD

5th Floor, 1 Ruskin Square, Dingwall Road, Croydon, CR0 2WF

2nd Floor, 3 Piccadilly Place, London Road, Manchester, M1 3BN

Your interview will be conducted face to face. You will be issued details if you are selected for interview. Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.

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.

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.

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.

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 InsolvencyRecruitment.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.

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 Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

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

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.

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

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 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.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 : IES Workforce Planning
• Email : IES_WorkForcePlanning@insolvency.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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

Further information

If you feel there have been procedural irregularities at any stage of the recruitment process or that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact hr.recruitment@insolvency.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive you can then contact the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

Applying for a Job - A Candidate Guide Opens in new window (pdf, 3061kB)Insolvency Service Candidate Information Pack (Sept 2025) Opens in new window (pdf, 6459kB)