Financial Investigator - Edinburgh

Job summary

The Civil Recovery Unit (CRU), part of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), is seeking a Financial Investigator to support its mission of recovering assets obtained through unlawful conduct.

This role involves planning and progressing financial investigations under Part 5 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, gathering evidence and intelligence to trace and recover criminal assets. The successful candidate will manage their own caseload, assess new referrals, conduct interviews, and produce structured reports.

The position requires strong analytical and communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders. The CRU operates independently within COPFS and plays a vital role in disrupting serious and organised crime in Scotland.

Job description

Based in our Civil Recovery Unit (CRU) our team plays a critical role in the justice system, recovering assets funded by
the proceeds of unlawful conduct. The CRU is part of COPFS but exercises its functions separately and independently.

As a Financial Investigator you will play a vital role in the team, planning financial investigations under Part 5 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, by gathering evidence and intelligence, in order to trace and recover assets, to help disrupt serious and organised crime in Scotland.

Responsibilities

• Carrying your own Financial Investigation caseload taking all steps necessary to prepare these cases for civil recovery proceedings under relevant legislation
• Oral and written communication including producing structured reports
• Liaising closely with all CRU partners and stakeholders promoting a positive face of the Unit
• Professionally represent the department at both internal and external meetings and conferences
• Working collaboratively with team members and colleagues, contributing positively and constructively to the achievement of team and organisations aims and objectives
• Making the best use of technology in support of your role, including the use of case management databases

Role Specific Duties

• Using initiative to prioritise a diverse workload, showing judgement in reaching decisions and meeting challenging deadlines
• Assessment of new referrals as directed to determine their suitability for progression
• Conduct interviews with respondents and witnesses as and when required

Please note these are not exhaustive lists and other duties may be required as appropriate to the role

Person specification

You must hold accreditation as a Financial Investigator (via the National Police Improvement Agency or Scottish Police College approved courses) OR have significant investigative experience. If not currently accredited, you must be willing to attain accreditation as part of the role requirements.

You should be able to demonstrate previous experience within the field of criminal investigation. We’re looking for individuals capable of managing complex caseloads and working independently. You will have excellent analytical skills, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to interpret intelligence and evidence to identify patterns and inconsistencies. You should be confident in engaging with stakeholders, conducting interviews, and producing clear, structured reports that support investigative outcomes.

Behaviours:

For the purposes of this exercise, you will be asked to provide examples and evidence against the following key Behaviours:

Working Together (HEO)

Experience:

• Accreditation as a Financial Investigator (via the National Police Improvement Agency or Scottish Police College approved courses) OR significant investigative experience (successful candidate would be expected to attain accreditation as part of the requirements for the role
• Excellent interpersonal skills, especially when handling complex issues and topics with a range of stakeholders at different levels
• Experienced in managing your own investigation caseload with a track record of being able to prioritise in order to work to legal time constraints
• Experienced in gathering and analysing intelligence and evidence to produce complex reports to support investigations in preparation of legal proceedings
• Experienced in conducting interviews of suspects and/or witnesses, where required under recorded conditions
• Working within a multi-disciplinary team or on assignments with individuals from different discipline

Technical

• Skilled in using case management systems and digital tools to manage investigations and maintain accurate records
• Proficient in using open-source tools in order to build a case

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £38,443, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service contributes £11,136 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

We offer an excellent range of benefits which include:

• • • 25 days paid holiday + 11.5 public and privilege holidays (rising to 30 days paid holiday after 4 years).
    • Generous Civil Service Pension employer contribution, on average over 28.97% of your pay
    • Flexible working hours and family friendly approach to work.
    • Cycle to Work Scheme and Season Ticket Loans.
    • Employee Wellbeing Support with Mental Health First Aiders and access to an Employee Assistance Programme.

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

Please see application pack for full details

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.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.

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 : Gordon Anderson
• Email : Gordon.anderson@civilrecoveryunit.gov.scot

Recruitment team

• Email : Recruitment@copfs.gov.uk

Further information

Please see application pack for full details