Senior Officer, Targeted Intercept Operations

Job summary

The Senior Officer, Targeted Intercept Operations leads the delivery of lawful targeted intercept operations under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, managing a team to collect, analyse and develop intelligence from criminal communications. It plays a critical role in generating actionable insight that informs operational activity against serious and organised crime (SOC).

Job description

Operating within the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, the Senior Officer, Targeted Intercept Operations leads and manages a team of Targeted Intercept Officers (TIOs) responsible for the lawful targeting, collection and analysis of criminal communications. The role is central to delivering timely, high-quality intercept intelligence, transforming complex communication data into actionable tactical and strategic insight that directly supports operational priorities and the disruption of serious and organised crime.

The post holder oversees the end-to-end management of intercept activity within a fast-paced operational environment, ensuring resources are effectively prioritised and aligned to threat, risk and national strategic objectives, including the NCA Annual Plan and National Control Strategy. This includes directing workload, authorising tasking requests and maintaining oversight of intelligence development to ensure maximum operational impact, including supporting arrests, seizures of drugs, money and firearms, and the prevention of harm.

Accountable for compliance, the role ensures all activity is conducted in accordance with legislative, policy and governance frameworks, including oversight of Warrantry and Communications Data applications. The post holder maintains the highest standards of integrity in the handling, assessment and dissemination of sensitive intelligence, ensuring confidentiality, proportionality and a clear duty of care.

The role requires strong analytical and decision-making capability to interpret complex information from multiple sources, assess risk and drive informed operational decisions. It also involves identifying opportunities to enhance processes and improve efficiency within the function.

In addition, the post holder is responsible for developing and supporting staff, fostering capability and resilience within the team, and leading by example to embed organisational culture, values and professional standards within Targeted Intercept Operations.

Please note that security vetting requirements vary by location. Candidates applying for Warrington must be able to achieve SC (Enhanced) clearance prior to commencing in role, and must be able to achieve DV STRAP within 12 months of starting in role.

Those applying for London must be able to achieve DV (Enhanced) clearance PRIOR to commencing in the role, and must be able to achieve DV STRAP whilst in post. Further details are provided in the Vetting Guidance later in this advert.

Duties and Responsibilities

Operational Leadership - Lead and manage a team of TIOs, setting direction and overseeing delivery in a fast-paced operational environment. Coordinate and prioritise workloads across TIOs and intelligence staff, authorising tasking to ensure effective alignment with operational priorities.

Intelligence Delivery - Direct the lawful gathering, analysis and dissemination of intercept intelligence in line with legislation and policy. Contribute to the development of tactical and strategic intelligence to support the NCA Annual Plan, National Control Strategy and wider operational priorities.

Compliance & Warrantry - Oversee the drafting and submission of Warrantry and Communications Data applications to support intelligence collection. Ensure all intelligence activity, handling and dissemination is compliant with legislation, policy, and confidentiality requirements.

Risk Management - Identify, assess and manage operational risk, ensuring appropriate mitigation in accordance with legislative and policy frameworks.

Quality & Assurance - Maintain high standards in the quality, security and integrity of intelligence products, ensuring appropriate handling and duty of care.

People & Development - Manage, coach and develop staff to enhance capability and performance.

Culture & Values - Lead by example to embed NCA culture, identity and values within Targeted Intercept Operations.

Person specification

Communication - Communicate clearly and effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, adapting style and approach as required.

Analysis - Analyse information from multiple sources to develop accurate and meaningful intelligence insights.

Problem Solving - Apply knowledge and understanding to identify issues and develop effective, practical solutions.

Decision Making - Make informed, risk-based decisions within a dynamic operational environment.

Change & Improvement - Identify and implement opportunities to improve processes and operational efficiency.

Qualifications

Candidates must demonstrate that they have already successfully completed the NCA Intercept Training Programme (ITP) or an equivalent intercept training programme delivered by another intercepting agency. Where an equivalent programme has been completed, candidates will be required to undertake and successfully pass the NCA ITP within 12 months of appointment. Failure to achieve the NCA ITP may result in redeployment to an alternative role.

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Changing and Improving

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £49,392, National Crime Agency contributes £14,308 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 and Experience.Your application will be assessed against the following: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 submit a concise CV that clearly demonstrates how you meet the essential skills, knowledge and experience outlined in the person specification.

AND

Evidence how you meet the essential criteria:
Candidates must demonstrate that they have already successfully completed the NCA Intercept Training Programme (ITP) or an equivalent intercept training programme delivered by another intercepting agency.

Your CV should include a full employment history with key responsibilities and achievements, as well as details of all relevant qualifications and professional development.

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

• Communicates clearly and effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, adapting style and approach to suit different audiences.

• Ability to analyse information from different sources.

• Makes clear, informed decisions and takes accountability for the outcomes.

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.

- Communicates clearly and effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, adapting style and approach to suit different audiences. .

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 Pre training assessment (PTA ) which will be tested on via the details listed below.

Candidates who have not passed the NCA ITP who are successful at sift will be invited to attend an in person pre training assessment. The assessment will be held in either London or Warrington, details of which will be shared with candidates who successful pass the sift stage. Candidates who do not pass the assessment will not progress to the interview stage. If you are successful you will be invited to the second assessment.

Assessment 2

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

• Changing and Improving

• Leadership

Experience

• Communicates clearly and effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, adapting style and approach to suit different audiences.

• Ability to analyse information from different sources.

• Makes clear, informed decisions and takes accountability for the 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 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.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

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

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)