FINDS Data Officer

Job summary

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.

The Science, Technology, Research and Analysis (STAR) Group sits at the heart of the Home Office. The group ensures the best evidence and analysis are used to address the strategic issues facing the department. We also provide the science, technology, data, and international insights and collaboration capabilities to drive delivery.

You will support the delivery of National DNA Database (NDNAD) and National Footwear System (NFS) services to Law Enforcement Agency (LEA) customers and stakeholders, ensuring that quality, business, and service standards are consistently met and advanced.

You will gain and develop skills to collect relevant information to complete law enforcement and Forensic Service Provider requests. Within an Operational environment within a dedicated team you will work and collaborate closely with individuals from IT specialists and Police National Computer operatives to Scientific Services building strong relations whilstacquiringandgrowing your expertise as you progress within this exciting area of work.

Job description

The Forensic Information Databases Service (FINDS) is part of Home Office Science and manages critical forensic databases. The service supports over 40 law enforcement agencies by maintaining and improving forensic data systems, ensuring compliance with standards like ISO9001, and enabling investigative processes through national databases. NDNAD is a critical part of the Criminal Justice System, supporting Policing in the prevention and detection of crime and has grown to one of the largest databases of its kind in Europe with over 7 million records.

As a FINDS Data Officer, you are provided with the necessary skills to meet customer requirements and operational changes are delivered in line with these requirements:

• You will support the delivery of National DNA Database (NDNAD) and National Footwear System (NFS) services to Law Enforcement Agency (LEA) customers and stakeholders, ensuring that quality, business, and service standards are consistently met and advanced.
• You will gain and develop skills to collect relevant information to complete law enforcement and Forensic Service Provider requests.
• Within an Operational environment within a dedicated team you will work and liaise with individuals from IT specialists, Police National Computer operatives to Scientific Services building strong relations whilst obtaining and increasing your expertise as you progress within this exciting area of work.
• You will obtain the relevant experience of working and navigating on multiple databases.
• You will learn how to manipulate data on the NDNAD and NFS as well as other systems to assist customer queries.

Working pattern

Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis. This position necessitates your physical presence in the office on a full-time basis.

Shift working

Successful candidates will need to be able to attend for all shifts:

• Two shifts 08:00-16:00 and 09:00-17:00 Monday to Friday

Training

On-site training will be provided.

Person specification

Essential criteria

You will possess a clear enthusiasm for data and service delivery and must be able to demonstrate:

• A strong customer focus, excellent communication skills with the ability to effectively influence stakeholders,
• The ability to analyse large amounts of information effectively and present findings from it clearly and concisely,
• Being IT competent, and proficient in the use of MS office,
• A strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining data integrity.

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of the workings of central government departments and the drivers, targets and measures of business performance in a public service environment,
• Experience of working to a regulated environment, possibly involving forensic science or within law enforcement agencies,
• Understanding of managing data integrity within the policing and criminal justice sector,
• Experience working in dynamic operational environments with changing priorities.

Behaviours

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions

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

• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

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, Ability and Experience.

This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

We will endeavour to conduct the selection process in line with the dates indicated below, but cannot guarantee that these will not, where necessary, be revised.

As part of the application process, you will first be asked to confirm your eligibility by providing some basic personal information.

After submission of this first stage, you will be invited to complete the Civil Service Verbal test.

1. Online Test – by 30th January 2026.

If you successfully pass the Civil Service Verbal test, you will be invited to complete the full application form. Please complete the online test as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended). If you fail to complete the online test or full application before the deadline, your application will be withdrawn.

Guidance for the Civil Service test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The online test is accessed via the Civil Service Jobs website.

You cannot complete the tests on a mobile phone or tablet.

Following successful completion of your test, you will then be asked to complete the full application form.

2. Application – by 30th January 2026.

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

• a CV
• Personal Statement (maximum 500 words).
• Evidence of the Behaviour Delivering at Pace (maximum of 250 words).

Your CV should consist of your career history, qualifications and skills/experience, including any key achievements in each role. Your CV will be scored against the experience required for the role as noted within the essential criteria.

The Personal Statement should be aligned to and demonstrate how you meet the skills and experience set out in the essential criteria, detailed in the job description.

For guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV, Personal Statement and Behaviours), you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.

3. Sift – week commencing 2nd February 2026.

The sift will be held on the CV, Personal Statement and the Behaviour Delivering at Pace.

Should a high volume of applications be received, an initial sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement and CV. Candidates who pass the initial sift will then be progressed to a full sift that will consist of the Behaviour Delivering at Pace.

4. Interview – week commencing 9th March 2026.

If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview that will be Behaviour (as listed in the job advert) based questions.

The interview will take place via MS Teams.

For guidance and information on what to expect and how to prepare for an interview, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers.

Problems during the application process

If you experience problems accessing this advert, or you think you’ve made a mistake on an initial application, please contact hocandidates.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk, including the vacancy reference, at least two working days before the vacancy closes. Further information can be found on our website.

Do not create or attempt to submit another application, online test or use a different Civil Service Jobs account to proceed as this would be in violation of the candidate declaration.

Further information

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Serviceon 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.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made. There is no guarantee that being held on a reserve list will lead to a job offer. Further information can be found on our website.

Standards

All Civil Servants are expected to comply with the Civil Service Code, and its core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.

Additional Security Checks

As well as successfully obtaining UK Security Vetting clearance, candidates will be subject to a range of additional checks. The range of checks carried out will depend on whether you are a current Home Office employee, existing civil servant or an external new entrant as well as the role requirements. The level of Criminal Record Check required for this role is Basic. Further details are included in the Notes to Candidates.

Non-Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV)

You should currently hold, or be willing to obtain, Non-Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV) Level-3 vetting (including financial checks). This is essential for the role. For further information visit About the Police National Vetting Service , Warwickshire Police.

Reasonable Adjustments

If a person with disabilities is 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 HOrecruitment.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.

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.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 : Home Office Resourcing Centre
• Email : HORCCampaignTeamCorporateEnablers@homeoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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

Further information

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service recruitment principles and you wish to make a complaint, then contact the Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

2025-11-17 Pre-employment Checking - Document Requirements (V17) Opens in new window (pdf, 231kB)Home Office Candidate_Information_v15_DECEMBER_2025 Opens in new window (pdf, 429kB)