Cryptoasset Specialist

Job summary

The National Economic Crime Centre (NECC) is hosted by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and has a multi-agency structure, staffed by a mixture of NCA officers and secondees partners, including the private sector. We are a diverse, dynamic centre with a strong focus on developing and upskilling our Officers.
This is an opportunity for a Cryptoasset Specialist to work within the Threat Leadership function of the Illicit Finance team within the NECC to harness blockchain analysis and proprietary law enforcement data to gain strategic insight into the criminal use of cryptoassets within the UK and direct the operational response.

Job description

This role sits within The Threat Leadership teams which drive the NECC’s strategic response to economic crime. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role within Illicit Finance to work collaboratively with blockchain analytics data, NCA intelligence and public and private sector partners to produce strategic reporting highlighting the existing threat of illicit cryptoasset use on the UK and directing / enhancing the law enforcement’s response to the threat accordingly.
We are looking for someone who can build strong working relationships across different departments, teams and an ability to adapt and prioritise in a fast-moving environment.

Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success. We welcome applications from all people and backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to make an effective contribution to the Agency.

Duties & Responsibilities

Threat assessment

Leading the identification, assessment and prioritisation of strategic threat arising from illicit cryptoassset use.Produce forward-leaning strategic intelligence assessments that inform national-level policy, operational prioritisation and capability investment. Translate complex on-chain and off-chain activity into clear judgements on the threat and (where appropriate) work up intelligence packages for further development by intelligence or operational teams.

Intelligence collection

Define intelligence requirements and gaps, working with both public and private partners across the UK system to fill them.

Blockchain analysis

Conduct advanced blockchain analytics and integrate this data with other intelligence sources.

Staff management

Manage staff and build a high-performing analtyical culture.

Stakeholder engagement

Interact with UK law enforcement, UK Intelligence Community (UKIC), regulators, policy teams, international partners and private-sector institutions to shape a shared understanding of the threat from cryptoassets and influence activity in other areas of the system response.

Innovation and capabilty development

opportunities to enhance analytical capability, pilot new approaches and contribute to organisational strategy on the use of blockchain analytics in the wider data landscape.

Person specification

Blockchain transaction analysis and tracing

Practical ability to analyse on-chain data, trace funds across wallets and protocols, and interpret transaction behaviour across major blockchains (e.g. Bitcoin, Ethereum, common L2s).

Use of specialist blockchain analytics tools

Hands-on experience with platforms such as Chainalysis, TRM Labs, Elliptic, CipherTrace or equivalent, including building cases, labelling entities, and producing evidential outputs.

Data analysis and technical literacy

Strong analytical capability, often including SQL, Python, or similar tools to interrogate large datasets, automate analysis, and validate findings is desirable.

Understanding of cryptoasset ecosystems and typologies

Knowledge of DeFi, exchanges (centralised and decentralised), bridges, mixers, NFTs, and common illicit and high-risk typologies (fraud, scams, sanctions evasion, laundering techniques).

Reporting, communication, and stakeholder engagement

Ability to translate complex blockchain activity into clear written reports and briefings for non-technical audiences, often supporting compliance, investigations, or strategic decision-making.

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture

Technical skills

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

• Strategic intelligence analysis and judgement
• Crypto asset and blockchain analytics expertise
• Stakeholder Management

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £55,575, National Crime Agency contributes £16,100 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

All NCA employees are members of the UK Civil Service and eligible for the Civil Service pension scheme, alongside your salary the NCA contributes £16,106. Further information on the benefits of the scheme is available on the Civil Service Pension Website.

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, Experience and Technical skills.This vacancy is using the Success Profiles framework and will assess using the following criteria: Behaviours, Experience, Technical Skills

How we will assess you

Your application will be assessed against the following:Behaviours - These will be assessed against 250 word examples.

• Leadership

• Seeing the Big Picture

Technical - this will be assessed by 250 word examples on:

• Strategic intelligence analysis and judgement

• Crypto asset and blockchain analytics expertise

• Stakeholder Management

Experience - This will be assessed:

CV

Please include your full career history, training, qualifications, key responsibilities, and achievements. Explain any employment gaps in the last two years. Ensure all accreditation dates are accurate.

Details of what is expected within you CV are as follows: Please demonstrate how you meet the requirements outlined in the Role Description, Duties & Responsibilities, and Person Specification sections of the advert

A panel will assess how well your application demonstrates the requirements outlined above.

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.

- Strategic intelligence analysis and judgement .

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

• Leadership

• Seeing the Big Picture

Technical

• Strategic intelligence analysis and judgement

• Crypto asset and blockchain analytics expertise

• Stakeholder Management

Desirable Criteria

Desirable criteria are only used for assessment in the event of a tie break.- ICA advanced Certificate or ACAMS Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS).
- Blockchain and crypto-specific certifications including Chainalysis, Elliptic, TRM Labs or certification from other related companies.Assessment OutcomeOutcomes will be communicated via the NCA recruitment portal.
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:

1. Lead criteria (behaviours/technical/experience)
2. If still tied, desirable criteria will be assessed (if advertised)
3. If still tied, application sift scores will be used

Feedback is provided only to those who attend an assessment.You will be subject to vetting and pre-employment checks before appointment.Once the vacancy closes, the advert will no longer be accessible. Please save a copy for your records. We encourage all candidates to visit the NCA Careers Page for more information.

Security and Vetting

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is SC Enhanced. All security clearances will be managed by the NCA.For more information on security vetting please visit: UK Security Vetting guidance for applicants and Demystifying Vetting and see our vetting charter at: The Vetting Charter.

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.

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 : The 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.