Trainer - Criminal Investigations

Job summary

The Insolvency Service is a leading Government agency which plays a crucial role in providing essential services to the public and to business. The work we do is important to the proper functioning of markets, the economy in general and support for thousands of people each year who are in financial difficulty.

Inclusive and diverse teams are important to us. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups underrepresented in our workforce. The Insolvency Service strives to ensure that the agency is a safe, inclusive, and welcoming place for everybody to bring their true self to work and to help the agency to achieve its diversity objectives. We have 10 active employee network groups available to join or become an ally, these include, Carers Network, Disability & Health, FACES Network Group, Grass Roots, LGBT+, Mind Matters, No Limits, Part Time Workers, The Shed, and Women’s Network Group.

We offer full-time, job share and flexible ways of working in this role. We value capability, technical skills and experience and we place great emphasis on lifetime development to support our people. We encourage our employees to become more involved in areas they feel strongly about, whether it be for the benefit of the agency, through our Engagement network or in their own local communities via volunteering opportunities.

The Insolvency Service is a great place to work, learn and grow your career!

The Enforcement Group (TEG) aims to deliver and promote a range of investigation and enforcement activities, both civil and criminal in nature, to support fair and open markets. We do this by effectively enforcing the statutory company and insolvency regimes, maintaining public confidence in those regimes, and reducing the harm caused to victims of fraudulent activity and to the business community.

As a result of recent changes to legislation, an expansion in our remit to support a growing cross-government anti-money laundering priority, we are increasing our investigative capabilities. Subsequently, we require to adapt our training strategy, increase our training delivery capabilities ensuring we contribute to our Investigation and Enforcement Strategy for 2026-2030

These training roles within TEG has been created to build the resilience we will require to grow these functions.

Job description

Supported by and reporting to the Strategic Lead for Training the post-holder will have responsibility for the design, development and delivery of bespoke training programmes as well the facilitation of internal and external courses to support our criminal investigators and managers.

The role has a national and regional responsibility. The successful applicant will have a responsibility to support the investigators within region but also operate across the United Kingdom. Therefore a degree of travel and overnight stays will be expected.

There are 2 positions advertised. One role is based at our North West Regional Centre in Manchester and the other in our West Midlands Regional Centre in Birmingham.

Each role has a dual area function. You will have responsibility for supporting staff in your region, i.e . North or Midlands and West and in addition have a national role for facilitating and delivering training across the U.K. when required.

You will have the opportunity to influence and shape our learning programmes, playing a part in ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of enforcement training across our investigation teams and potentially our wider investigative disciplines.

You will be responsible for ensuring that our investigators, managers and leaders have the capability we need to deliver our business priorities as these functions grow.

You will work with colleagues across the agency, both at your regional office and on a national basis notably investigation leads, investigators, People & Communication, Capability and the other internal and external Business Partners.

The post will also provide an opportunity to liaise with colleagues from other parts of the Civil Service, to ensure that what we deliver is aligned with Government Counter Fraud Profession (GCFP) standards and wider Civil Service requirements.

This role would suit someone who has experience in developing discrete areas of learning within the criminal investigative discipline.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will have the responsibility to:

• design, deliver and implement training programmes in line with agreed priorities
• introduce trainee and/or apprentice training courses for investigators and potentially across our wider investigation teams
• develop, administer and secure the delivery of in-house technical training, ensuring that all training developed meets the CPD training requirements for our investigators
• work with colleagues at all levels within the Enforcement Group and peers across the agency to ensure there is access to learning opportunities which will enable colleagues to take forward their own professional, career and personal development
• create and update materials and guidance as required for the ongoing development and successful delivery of our training programme for criminal investigators
• work with business leads and subject matter experts to identify technical training requirement and develop bespoke training courses and seminars
• develop and undertake quality assurance, standardisation and continual evaluation activities in relation to our training regime.
• source training through external partners and liaising with providers and internal/external presenters as to the delivery of courses
• provide support and advice to learners and assessors/ line managers (e.g. facilitating learner support events) to ensure learners have the maximum opportunity for successful completion of their probation and learning programme

Person specification

You are able to keep your own and the team's efforts focussed on the goals that really matter and successfully manage, support and stretch yourself to deliver agreed outcomes by being proactive and taking ownership and accountability for decisions and commitments.

You will have the ability to lead and establish positive relationships with a range of stakeholders to support the delivery of business outcomes and possess good interpersonal skills and communication skills, written and verbal.

You will be based at your nominated regional centre but on occasion be expected to travel with overnight accommodation to facilitate and deliver training events / conferences. This travel and facilitation may range from 1-5 days depending on the training or event required.

Essential Criteria

You must possess a professional training qualification which includes the design, delivery and assessment of courses – minimum of Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training, within an investigative background

• experience of having designed or delivered a training strategy or programme
• experience or knowledge of criminal investigations which include best practice, including CPIA and disclosure requirements
• ability to respond quickly, flexibly and effectively to tight deadlines, including an ability to handle multiple competing workstreams
• strong interpersonal skills, with an ability to engage, challenge and influence senior managers and internal stakeholders
• excellent written and verbal communication skills
• well-developed presentation or representation skills with a willingness to present at or facilitate training events
• project management skills and/or excellent planning and coordinating skills
• a full UK driving licence is essential and own vehicle is desirable in order to travel for business need

Further Information

From 1st October 2026, applicants will be required to meet nationality and residency requirements so that National Security Vetting (NSV) checks can be conducted. If you want to learn more, visit NSV national requirements (opens in a new window).

Qualifications

Candidates must possess a professional training qualification which includes the design, delivery and assessment of courses – minimum of Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training, within an investigative background

Behaviours

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving

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

• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

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

• You will be required to display knowledge and experience of CPIA and areas of learning within the criminal investigative discipline.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £48,429, Insolvency Service contributes £14,029 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).

We want you to have a good work-life balance and want to support you in all that you do, so we offer a great benefits package including:

• flexible working arrangements and flexi-time
• full time new entrants to the Civil Service and those Civil Servants on modernised terms and conditions will be entitled to 25 days leave increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service
• in addition to this you are entitled to 8 public/bank holidays plus an additional day of privilege leave
• competitive maternity, paternity and parental leave
• 5 days paid leave for learning and development
• 5 days paid for volunteering
• a Cycle to work scheme
• staff have access to an employee assistance programme, Workplace Wellness, for confidential, independent support and advice during difficult times in either their professional or personal life

Your pension is a valuable part of your total reward package where the employer makes a significant contribution to the cost of your pension. Your contributions come out of your salary before any tax is taken. This means, if you pay tax, your take-home pay will not be reduced by the full amount of your contribution; and your pension will continue to provide valuable benefits for you and your family if you are too ill to continue to work or die before you retire. For more information, visit www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk

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, Strengths, Ability, Experience and Technical skills.

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

Online Tests

CV

Personal Statement

Behaviours

• Behaviour 1 – Delivering at Pace

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the CV, assessing candidates against the essential criteria. Only those who meet the essential criteria at this stage will proceed to a full assessment of their application. If a candidate does not meet the minimum requirements during the initial sift, the remainder of their application will not be reviewed. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview.

Before submission of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Judgement Test.

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (or no later than 48 - 72 hours of the application closing date, is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 22 July 2026. If you fail to complete the online tests before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the tests will be available when you are invited to take the tests. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

Online test maintenance

Our online test supplier will be performing scheduled maintenance between 4.00pm - 7.00pm on 19th July 2026. You will be unable to access tests during this period.

If you are in the middle of a test when the maintenance begins, your progress will be paused. You will be able to resume your test from where you left off via your application centre once the downtime has ended. Please note that you will not be able to launch any new tests while the system is offline.

CV Guidance

Your CV should provide a clear overview of your employment history, key responsibilities, relevant qualifications, and the skills and experience you’ve gained throughout your career including any notable achievements.

Note: Your CV will be scored as part of the assessment process and will be assessed against the criteria outlined in the job advert.

Personal Statement Guidance

Your personal statement should be no more than 750 words and should explain how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, in reference to the essential criteria and values in the person specification.

Interview

If successful at the sift stage, at interview, you will be assessed on the following:

Experience

Behaviours - assessed through:

• Behaviour 1 - Delivering at Pace
• Behaviour 2 - Communicating and Influencing
• Behaviour 3 - Changing and Improving

Technical Skills

Strengths

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Sift – w/c 27 July 2026

Interview – w/c 10 August 2026

Location - In Person at Manchester and Birmingham

Your interview will be conducted face to face. Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.

Visa Applicants
To sponsor a candidate under the Skilled Worker visa, a sponsorship licence is required. The Insolvency Service does not currently hold this licence and therefore, cannot legally sponsor Skilled Worker visa applicants.

Hybrid Working

Insolvency Service operates a hybrid working policy subject to business need, giving people the flexibility to choose when and where they work and collaborate with others.

Individuals are expected to work from one of the office locations stated in the advert to connect with their colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs. There is flexibility to split the working week, spending a minimum of 60% in the workplace, which includes the office, site visits, court etc.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Insolvency from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

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

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put 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 insolvlencyrecruitment.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.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

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.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).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 : IES Workforce Planning Team
• Email : IES_WorkForcePlanning@insolvency.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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

Further information

If you feel there have been procedural irregularities at any stage of the recruitment process or that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact hr.recruitment@insolvency.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive you can then contact the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

Insolvency Candidate Information Pack ppt Opens in new window (pdf, 6509kB)Applying for a Job - A Candidate Guide Opens in new window (pdf, 3061kB)