Operations Manager

Job summary

The Communications Data Unit (CDU) operates within the Intelligence command supporting the NCA in delivering its mission to cut serious and organised crime through the acquisition of Communications Data under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. As an accredited experienced Single Point of Contact (SPOC) you will be responsible for handling applications, prioritising workflows and demand and managing colleagues in direct support of the NCA’s operational delivery.

You will be responsible for managing a team operating in a dynamic environment, with competing demands and ensuring the NCA's operational activity is supported. You will be responsible for ensuring resourcing and budgetary demands are met and the Departments reputation is maintained with internal and external partners.

Job description

The Communications Data Units are located in Birmingham, London and Warrington. CDU SpoCs work with investigation teams to assist in achieving operational objectives using communications data. They manage and facilitate applications for data, within the legislative framework.
Communications Data (CD) underpins virtually every element of modern life. It is about who we communicate with, how those communications takes place, when they happened and where we were at the time.
The need for criminals to communicate means that the requirement for Comms Data and it’s subsequent analysis underpins all the NCA’s operational activity, and as technology advances and digital opportunities grow, the demand for data acquisition is growing exponentially.

Duties and Responsibilities

Manage a team of Communications Data Investigator SPoCs ensuring competing demands are addressed and officers are developed and supported.Identify, prioritise and manage risk.Protect the NCA’s reputation by upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy.Proactively identify and exploit intelligence sources in collaboration with specialist teams.You will support senior management in proactively identifying areas for improvement and driving forward change.You will be managing resources and develop an agile and flexible workforce, ensuring officers are suitably skilled, well-led and highly motivated with access to the tools required.Support colleagues with upskilling, mentoring and other relevant development.Provide relevant Line Manager support to direct reports, and cover for colleagues

Person specification

• Experience in the acquisition and use of Communications Data and its impact on Operational Activity including a deep understanding relevant legislation.
• Thorough knowledge of the criminal use of communications data and the law enforcement response.
• Understanding of intelligence gathering capabilities and information management including experience of engagement with UK Law Enforcement and operational decision-making.
• Experience of managing, leading or developing a team in support of business objectives and Agency requirements.
• An awareness of changing legislation and/or emerging technology or capabilities, in particular those impacting the acquisition and interpretation of communications data to support the Agency's strategic priorities.

Qualifications

Accredited Communication Data investigator (Single Point of Contact) or previously held accreditation

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

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing

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 £16100. 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 and Experience.

How we will assess you

Your application will be assessed against the following:

Experience - This will be assessed:

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

• An awareness of changing legislation and/or emerging technology or capabilities, in particular those impacting the acquisition and interpretation of communications data to support the Agency's strategic priorities.
• Understanding of intelligence gathering capabilities and information management to support operational decision-making.
• Experience of managing, leading or developing a team in support of business objectives and Agency requirements.

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.

- An awareness of changing legislation and/or emerging technology or capabilities, in particular those impacting the acquisition and interpretation of communications data to support the Agency's strategic priorities. .

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
• Communicating and Influencing

Experience

• An awareness of changing legislation and/or emerging technology or capabilities, in particular those impacting the acquisition and interpretation of communications data to support the Agency's strategic priorities.
• Understanding of intelligence gathering capabilities and information management to support operational decision-making.
• Experience of managing, leading or developing a team in support of business objectives and Agency requirements.

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.

Vetting requirements - DV Enhanced

Prior to commencing the role, you will need to successfully complete DV Enhanced clearance and then achieve DV STRAP clearance within the first 12 months in post. 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

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 : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk
• 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.