Digital Forensics Laboratory Manager

Job summary

The Digital Forensic Lab Manager is responsible for managing a team of technical specialists, setting and maintaining operational performance objectives and resource management, as well as strategic oversight of digital investigations.

This is a full-time position that can offer flexible working arrangements, subject to business needs. For employees working a five-day week, there is an expectation of attending the office a minimum of three days per week.

Job description

This role is responsible for the operational delivery of the internal digital forensic (DF) provision from within a laboratory environment.

The post holder must be an experienced manager, able to manage and lead a team of Digital Forensic practitioners to deliver an effective and efficient digital forensics provision against the Agency’s priorities.

A strong knowledge of the Forensic Science Regulator’s Code of Practice and associated international accreditation standards is required, in order to support and develop the working practices within the DF operating environment.

You will play a key role in engaging with Senior Investigating Officers (SIOs) and Investigations teams, risk assessing requirements to devise digital forensic strategies, and prioritise operational delivery accordingly. Knowledge of legislation effecting Agency activity, with specific emphasis on digital media, is imperative.

As a manager, your role will include responsibility for managing staff, setting and maintaining operational performance objectives, resource management as well as strategic oversight of digital investigations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership - Lead and manage a multifaceted team of digital forensic practitioners, to deliver operationally against the Agency’s strategic priorities.

Accreditation Compliance - Assist and promote the attainment, maintenance and continuous improvement of ISO 17025 accreditation standards and forensic regulation for laboratory activity.

Compliance to policies and legislation - Ensure operational activity is carried out thoroughly, professionally, expeditiously and in accordance with NCA Policy and applicable legislation.

Strategic and tactical operational planning - Devise strategic and tactical delivery plans for digital forensics operational delivery

Key Performance Indicator (KPI) management - Set and monitor KPI data and operational performance objectives, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.

Contribution to national projects and groups - Contribute to national digital forensic projects and working groups, to ensure alignment in DF activity nationally.

Oversight of digital forensic submissions - Assess, triage, and prioritise digital submissions, considering threat and risk assessments, which also offer value for money.

Partnership working - Liaise with SIOs and Case Teams, including attendance at operational meetings as necessary, to ensure best forensic support.

Collaborative working - Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal and external partners, to help develop the technical capabilities and operational effectiveness of the department.

Cultural Improvement- Promote and develop an inclusive and diverse working environment.

Deputise for senior manager of digital forensics - Be an effective contributor to the Forensic department’s leadership Team, deputising for the senior manager of digital forensics as required.

Person specification

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Leadership - Experienced leader, able to inspire and support their team to deliver against aims and objectives.

Knowledge and understanding of accreditation - Comprehensive understanding of the requirements to attain and maintain accreditation and FSR Codes Compliance within a digital forensics laboratory.

Knowledge of digital forensics processes - Strong knowledge and proven experience of working with digital forensics tools, techniques and capabilities.

Knowledge of Legislation - Understanding and practical application of legislation affecting digital forensic practices.

Making Effective Decisions - Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications, and risks of decisions.

Seeing the Big Picture - Understand how your role fits and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider Civil Service priorities, and ensure work is in the national interest.

Changing & Improving - Seek out opportunities to create effective change, and suggest innovative ideas for improvement. Review ways of working, including seeking and providing feedback.

Essential Criteria

You must meet the essential criteria and evidence this within your application to be considered for the role.

Entry Requirements

Please state your experience of working within digital forensics and managing a digital forensic team together with quality management and understanding of the FSR codes of practice (assessed from your CV)

Desirable Criteria

Desirable criteria are only used for assessment in the event of a tie break.

Certified Digital Forensic Practitioner qualifications

Appropriate courses/qualifications include:
Degree in Computing/Forensic Computing
Attendance on Foundation in Mobile/Computer Forensics Courses

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

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

• Proven experience of managing a team of technical specialists supporting investigations and other specialist services.
• A strong understanding of the Forensic Science Regulator’s Code of Practice and associated international standards effecting forensic science activity.
• Ability to identify, manage and mitigate risk appropriately.
• Proven experience of taking steps to improve culture on an individual and team basis

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.

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.

How we will assess you

Your application will be assessed against the following:

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

• Proven experience of managing a team of technical specialists supporting investigations and other specialist services.

• A strong understanding of the Forensic Science Regulator’s Code of Practice and associated international standards effecting forensic science activity.

• Ability to identify, manage and mitigate risk appropriately.

• Proven experience of taking steps to improve culture on an individual and team basis

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 state your experience of working within digital forensics and managing a digital forensic team together with quality management and understanding of the FSR codes of practice

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.

- Proven experience of managing a team of technical specialists supporting investigations and other specialist services. .

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

• Making Effective Decisions

Technical

• Proven experience of managing a team of technical specialists supporting investigations and other specialist services.

• A strong understanding of the Forensic Science Regulator’s Code of Practice and associated international standards effecting forensic science activity.

• Ability to identify, manage and mitigate risk appropriately.

• Proven experience of taking steps to improve culture on an individual and team basis

Assessment Outcome

Outcomes 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.

Full advert details for this vacancy can found on the advert on the NCA Recruitment Portal. Please follow the link to apply at advertisers' site.

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 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.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 Recruitment Team
• Email : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk
• Telephone : 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.