Financial Investigator - Asset Denial

Job summary

The Asset Denial teams work to substantially reduce the level of serious and organised crime affecting the UK by denying criminals access to their illicit assets, recovering the proceeds of crime, and deterring and disrupting further criminality. The Asset Denial teams utilise an array of powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) and the Criminal Finances Act 2017 (CFA) to target the highest risk and most serious and organised criminals.

The Combatting Kleptocracy Cell (CKC) is a multi-functional operational unit comprised of officers from various disciplines, who work together to investigate organised crime and sanctions evasion linked to states hostile to the UK. This can involve taking action against the elites linked to the various hostile state regimes, the enablers who assist them, and the criminal proxies who act for them. Financial investigation and asset denial is fundamental to the unit’s activities.

For anyone applying for Part time/flexible working there is a minimum requirement of 24 hours a week over 3 days

Virtual Open Evening Event

To find out more about the role and the application process we will be holding a virtual opening evening via MS Teams on 17th February, 1800-1900

This event is by invitation only.

To register, please click on the following link

G5 Financial Investigator Virtual Event

You will be asked for your name and email address.

Registration will close on Monday 16th February at 1200

You will not be able to register after this date and time.

Job description

Asset Denial comprises the following teams:

Asset Confiscation Enforcement (ACE)

Ensures that criminal confiscation orders are enforced and paid and also revisits orders if further additional assets come to light.

Civil Recovery and Tax (CRT)

Uses POCA civil recovery and tax powers to deprive criminals of property obtained through criminality.

Criminal Asset Denial team (CADT)

Service the restraint and confiscation requirements of the Complex Financial Crime Teams within the NCA. They also extensively use CFA asset denial powers.

Our G5 Financial Investigators support, develop and progress financial investigations from tasking through to recovery through effective use of financial investigation techniques and statutory powers under POCA and CFA to erode the profit motive, thereby undermining a key incentive associated with the highest risk and serious organised crime. You will play a key role in denying criminals the use and benefit of illicit assets, supporting investigations and pursuing civil recovery and in CADT, forfeiture opportunities.

Roles are available in the CRT, CADT and ACE teams.

We are looking to recruit individuals from a variety of backgrounds as Financial Investigators. We therefore encourage applications from candidates who are or can evidence the aptitude and ability to attain financial investigator accreditation.

We also have a vacancy on the Combatting Kleptocracy Cell (CKC) team in London.Please note you will need to attain DV clearance in the role.

Duties and Responsibilities

Support and Progress Investigations

To support with the development and progress of complex financial investigations in accordance with NCA policy and legislative requirements and maximise the effective use of POCA, CFA and other legislation to recover the proceeds of unlawful conduct.

Intelligence Gathering and Development

To support and contribute to the acquisition and development of tactical and strategic intelligence (through targeted research, open source searches, behavioural, analytical, comparative studies and/or prevention initiatives focused on serious and organised crime affecting the UK, particularly money laundering and economic crime investigations) to support operational and organisational objectives.

Data Analysis

To sift and analyse large volumes of data, follow complex financial trails, and seek and act upon opportunities to obtain evidential material.

Training and FI accreditation

Complete mandatory training and successfully obtain and maintain relevant Financial Intelligence Officer (FIO) and Financial Investigator (FI) accreditation.

Relationship Management

Build and maintain effective internal and external partnerships, collaborate with other NCA units, wider UK law enforcement, international counterparts and Government departments.

Data Integrity

Manage the security and accuracy of intelligence, maintaining confidentiality, sensitivity and duty of care.

Support Operational Performance

Support case management and the collection, recording, quality assurance, retention, analysis and dissemination of intelligence, evidence and reports in accordance with Agency policy. Ensure all work conducted in support of the Command's investigations is carried out thoroughly, professionally and expeditiously and in accordance with Agency policy and legislative requirements. Identify and highlight risks associated with operational activity to Lead FI.

Operation Management

Support with and maintain appropriate investigative strategies and operational Risk Assessments with the SIO, maintaining comprehensive and auditable Case Decision Logs (CDLs). Update and maintain the Agency's performance management and governance systems for each investigation.

Draft Witness Statements

Draft witness statements in conjunction with NCA legal in support of NCA applications for POCA orders.

Provide Evidence

Attend both Magistrates, Crown and High Court to provide evidence as required.

ODP FI Pathway

Complete the NCA Officer Development Portfolio Financial Investigator Pathway.

FOR CADT & CKC ONLY: Obtain and maintain PIP2 accreditation.

PLEASE NOTE - Prior to commencing the role, you will need to successfully complete SC Enhanced clearance you may be required to achieve DV Enhanced clearance within the first 12 months in post.

Person specification

Analytical Skills

Ability to examine and interpret complex data from various sources to assess situations and draw robust and informed conclusions.

Collaborative Working

Ability to work with internal and external stakeholders in order to achieve business objectives.

Partnership Working

Develop and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders and build strong rapport.

Communication Skills

Effective communication with a range of audiences, at all grades, in various formats.

Influencing

Ability to influence, change and impact decisions with both internal and external stakeholders.

Quality Management

Ability to plan, develop and maintain processes to ensure functions are working as intended.

Organisational Skills

Ability to manage a wide portfolio of tasks and reporting requirements in a fast-paced environment with often tight deadlines.

Risk Management and Decision Making

Ability to assess risks and make accountable, evidence-based operational decisions in complex and high-pressure environments.

Problem Solving

Examine issues to identify solutions to complex problems in collaboration with others.

Asset Denial/Civil Recovery Landscape

Experience and in-depth knowledge of relevant legislation (UK and International law) affecting operational activity, with emphasis on POCA in relation to money laundering offences, civil recovery and/or cash seizures.

Disclosure Legislation

Knowledge of relevant disclosure legislation.

Court Conduct

Ability to prepare for and present material for court purposes.

Interview Skills

Ability to prepare and conduct interviews in accordance with PACE on serious and complex investigations.

Essential Criteria

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

Qualifications, Membership and Licences

Accredited financial investigator, or evidence of the aptitude and ability to attain financial investigator accreditation. (To be assessed with the sift on the technical criteria.)

Any applications from candidates not meeting this eligibility criteria will not progress.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• Recent experience or understanding of conducting criminal, civil or regulatory investigations on complex economic or financial cases. (lead technical)
• An understanding of criminal or civil law and UK legislation affecting agency activity, with emphasis on the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) in relation to money laundering offences, civil recovery and/or cash seizures.
• Experience in effective decision making and working to tight deadlines within a dynamic environment.
• Proven experience of taking steps to improve culture on an individual or team basis.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £40,670, National Crime Agency contributes £11,782 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 and Technical skills.

Your application will be assessed against the following:

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

• Recent experience or understanding of conducting criminal, civil or regulatory investigations on complex economic or financial cases. (lead technical)

• An understanding of criminal or civil law and UK legislation affecting agency activity, with emphasis on the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) in relation to money laundering offences, civil recovery and/or cash seizures.

• Experience in effective decision making and working to tight deadlines within a dynamic environment.

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

Experience Criteria - will be assessed by 250 word examples on:

• Team Preference (This is not assessed and for informative purposes only for candidates to specify what team(s) they are interested in working with)

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.

- Recent experience or understanding of conducting criminal, civil or regulatory investigations on complex economic or financial cases. (lead technical).

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

• Working Together

Technical

• Recent experience or understanding of conducting criminal, civil or regulatory investigations on complex economic or financial cases. (lead technical)

• An understanding of criminal or civil law and UK legislation affecting agency activity, with emphasis on the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) in relation to money laundering offences, civil recovery and/or cash seizures.

• Experience in effective decision making and working to tight deadlines within a dynamic environment.

• Proven experience of taking steps to improve culture on an individual or 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.