Senior Digital Forensic Operations Officer

Job summary

The Senior Digital Forensic Operations Officer role combines leadership of scene-based digital forensic practitioners with the delivery of high-quality forensic services in support of serious and organised crime (SOC) investigations. The postholder will work closely with a wide range of investigative teams across the UK, providing tactical and strategic advice to maximise digital forensic opportunities and ensure the effective identification, capture and preservation of evidential material.

Job description

The Senior Digital Forensic Operations Officer role combines leadership of scene-based digital forensic practitioners with the delivery of digital forensic services in support of investigations into SOC.

The postholder will work in collaboration with a diverse range of investigative teams across the UK, providing both tactical and strategic advice on digital forensic capabilities to maximise opportunities for the identification, capture and preservation of evidential material across a range of electronic devices, including computers and mobile devices.

Given the level of responsibility and the dynamic operational environment, candidates must possess a strong digital forensic knowledge base, alongside proven skills in the acquisition and preservation of digital evidence.

Successful candidates will undertake a period of structured onboarding and mentoring within an NCA Digital Forensics laboratory. This will include completion of mandatory safety and legislative training in preparation for deployment to crime scenes.

The NCA is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive working environment. We actively welcome applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds, including neurodivergent candidates, and will provide reasonable adjustments where required.

This role requires regular national travel, including deployments at unsociable hours. Candidates must be willing and able to drive long distances, work extended hours when required, and undertake overnight stays. Participation in an on-call rota is also an essential requirement of the role.

You may be deployed to support a range of investigations, including those involving Child Sexual Abuse (CSA). By applying for this role, you are confirming your willingness to undertake work in this area. The NCA recognises the potential impact of such work and provides access to Occupational Health Services. In addition, candidates assigned to CSA roles will be required to undergo a psychological assessment prior to appointment. Applicants should carefully consider these requirements before applying.

Information about Forensic Services

Forensic Services delivers a broad range of specialist forensic capabilities in support of the NCA’s mission to tackle SOC. Our multidisciplinary team of forensic professionals applies expertise across a variety of scientific and technical disciplines to support investigations. This includes attending crime scenes to identify and recover evidential material, as well as conducting detailed analysis and examination within laboratory environments.

Our work plays a critical role in supporting an effective and fair criminal justice system. We provide objective, impartial and timely forensic evidence across all stages of the investigative and judicial process. All activities are conducted in accordance with the Forensic Science Regulator’s Codes of Practice, which underpin the quality, integrity and reliability of our services.

Forensic Services comprises the following functional areas:

• Forensic Operations - Works in partnership with investigative teams to deliver traditional forensic capabilities, supporting operational activity both at crime scenes and within accredited laboratory environments.

• Forensic Assurance - Provides oversight of forensic service delivery through governance, quality assurance, and continuous improvement, including the development and adoption of innovative forensic approaches.

• Digital Forensics - A specialist team delivering both scene-based and laboratory digital forensic capabilities, supporting NCA operations through the identification, acquisition and analysis of digital evidence.

Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership - Lead and supervise a team of scene-based digital forensic Officers, allocating deployments and operational activity to ensure effective and timely delivery.

Strategic and Tactical Operational Planning - Develop and implement digital forensic collection strategies to maximise evidential recovery across a range of crime scene types. Coordinate deployments, acting as a subject matter expert to support operational effectiveness.

Communication and Stakeholder Engagement - Work closely with investigation teams to identify forensic requirements, providing clear advice and guidance on digital forensic capabilities and techniques.

Operational Activity - Participate in operational deployments, projects, and investigations, supporting the collection of intelligence and evidential material to disrupt and degrade criminal activity.

Oversight of Digital Forensic Submissions - Assess, triage and prioritise digital forensic submissions, supporting exhibit review processes to ensure efficient, high-quality, and value-driven service delivery.

Accreditation and Compliance - Contribute to the development, implementation and maintenance of quality standards (e.g. ISO 17020/17025), ensuring compliance within the digital forensic environment.

Performance Management and Reporting - Maintain accurate records and produce evidential reports, witness statements and, where required, provide testimony in court.

Staff and Team Development - Promote continuous improvement by sharing learning from operational deployments and identifying training opportunities to support professional development through internal programmes and external providers.

Flexibility and Operational Readiness - Operate effectively across varied and dynamic environments, prioritising activity to ensure the optimal recovery and preservation of digital evidence. Undertake regular travel, including attendance at NCA hubs (Warrington, Bristol and London) for training, accreditation and operational requirements.

Training Requirements
Successfully complete and maintain required training, including Partial Powers training and assessment, within agreed timescales.

Please note - Successful candidates will be required to pass a mandatory five-day Officer Safety Training (OST) course. Applicants should carefully consider their ability to meet this requirement before applying.

Person specification

Digital Forensic Experience - Significant experience working within a digital forensics environment, with a strong understanding of forensic principles, methodologies and tools.

Management and Leadership - Proven experience of leading and managing teams, including task allocation, performance oversight, and supporting team development in an operational environment.

Evidence Capture - Demonstrable experience in the acquisition and handling of digital media to evidential standards, ensuring integrity, continuity and admissibility.

Legislation and Compliance - Sound knowledge of relevant legislation governing the lawful capture, handling, and preservation of digital evidence (e.g. PACE, CPIA, IPA), and its practical application in investigations.

Making Effective Decisions - Experience of making timely and well-reasoned operational and investigative decisions, with clear accountability for outcomes.

Seeing the Big Picture - Ability to understand the wider operational and organisational context, aligning forensic activity to strategic objectives and investigative priorities.

Culture and Continuous Improvement - Demonstrable commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive team culture, with the ability to drive continuous improvement and measure success through team performance, engagement, and outcomes.

Licences

Full UK or International Driving Licence - Candidates must hold a valid driving licence permitting them to drive a car in the UK. This may include a full UK driving licence or an appropriate international driving licence recognised for use in the UK, as the role requires regular travel to NCA sites and other locations across the country.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills

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

• Demonstrable experience in the acquisition and handling of digital data to evidential standards, ensuring integrity, continuity and admissibility.
• Proven experience of leading and managing teams, including task allocation, performance oversight and team development.
• Proven experience in identifying, assessing and effectively managing risks, with the ability to implement appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Demonstrable commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive team culture, with the ability to drive continuous improvement and measure success through team performance, engagement, and outcomes.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £45,326, National Crime Agency contributes £13,130 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

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.Your application will be assessed against the following:Technical - this will be assessed by 250 word examples on:

• Demonstrable experience in the acquisition and handling of digital data to evidential standards, ensuring integrity, continuity and admissibility.

• Proven experience of leading and managing teams, including task allocation, performance oversight and team development.

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 your CV are as follows: Please provide a concise and up-to-date CV that clearly demonstrates how you meet the Person Specification outlined in this advert, with particular reference to your Digital Forensic Experience, and Management and Leadership Skills.

Your CV must include:
- A full employment history, with explanations for any gaps in employment within the last five years.
- Details of all relevant qualifications, certifications and professional training.
- Evidence of your experience working within a digital forensics environment.
- Evidence of your experience leading or managing a digital forensic team, including responsibilities for quality management and service delivery.

All information provided should be relevant, clearly presented, and supported with examples where appropriate. Your CV must be no longer than two pages and presented in a font size of no less than 10pt.

PLEASE NOTE - Your CV will be used for Longlisting. This means that it will be assessed on a scale of 1–7, with a minimum score of 4 required to progress to full sift. Candidates who do not provide sufficient evidence in their response will receive a score of 3 or below; in such cases, the remainder of the application will not be assessed and will be recorded as “0 – Not Assessed” across all remaining criteria.

A panel will assess how well your application demonstrates the requirements outlined above.

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

• Making Effective Decisions

• Managing a Quality Service

Technical

• Demonstrable experience in the acquisition and handling of digital data to evidential standards, ensuring integrity, continuity and admissibility.

• Proven experience of leading and managing teams, including task allocation, performance oversight and team development.

• Proven experience in identifying, assessing and effectively managing risks, with the ability to implement appropriate mitigation strategies.

• Demonstrable commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive team culture, with the ability to drive continuous improvement and measure success through team performance, engagement, and outcomes.

Assessment OutcomeOutcomes 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.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

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 : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk
• 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.

Attachments

Offer T&Cs Opens in new window (docx, 135kB)