Data Exploitation Officer

Job summary

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HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service (FIS) is responsible for the department’s civil and criminal investigations.

Covert Operations, Digital Exploitation (CODE) sits within FIS. Working across Law Enforcement and government, CODE provides investigative tools and covert techniques to front-line investigations and works with key partners to develop and provide access to new technology and systems to enable investigators to respond to serious and complex tax evasion and crime.

Sensitive Collection is one of HMRC's most cutting edge, fast-paced and impactful tools, working closely with other CODE teams, operational investigation and intelligence teams, as well as other Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC).

Targeted Interception (TI) as a key component of Sensitive Collection provides FIS investigation and RIS intelligence teams with interdiction and evidential gathering opportunities gained through the lawful interception of criminals' communications.

TI also provides an unparalleled insight into criminal intent and behaviour, used to drive tactical operational activity and inform strategic responses across all aspects of HMRC related serious crime.

Sensitive Collection is undergoing significant transformation as we develop and adopt new capabilities and practices, continuing to evolve into a highly skilled, cross-functional, Tier 3 Sensitive Communications Exploitation Business Unit, able to rapidly acquire, process and derive intelligence value from a range of sensitive communications sources.

FIS CODE Sensitive Collection is a dynamic, demanding and highly sensitive work area where you will be expected to react quickly to changing priorities and work flexibly around the dynamic needs of the business to ensure meaningful sensitive intelligence delivery and provision of time critical advice and direction to serious crime investigations.

Job description

Would you enjoy working in an exciting and interesting covert area of work workings hands on with advanced covert tactics and methodologies?

Are you a motivated team player, excellent at problem solving, capable of making decisions and reacting quickly to changing priorities?

Do you have an understanding of key legislation, instructions, and procedures including: Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA), RIPA, Police Act and Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE)?

If so - this might be the role for you!

As a TI Data Exploitation Officer you will work closely with other Sensitive Collection colleagues within an analysis cell supporting TI Operations. You will represent the Data Exploitation Team within this cell and will be responsible for understanding case objectives and helping to define a data exploitation analysis strategy.

You will proactively support the Case Manager in identifying opportunities to exploit data using analytical techniques and collection capabilities, provide analysis on large data sets, and present your findings in a manageable way to support case strategy and objectives. You will have the opportunity to liaise with colleagues across suites to foster knowledge sharing, develop business requirements, and feed into capability development, as well as sharing knowledge across the broader analytical community within sensitive communications where appropriate.

You will be provided with classroom based and on-the-job training to develop your operational knowledge and data exploitation skills.

You can expect a varied and fulfilling career within this business area with the opportunity to work with unique and specialist data sets. No two days are ever quite the same. Your work will be integral in the disruption of serious crime in the United Kingdom and beyond.

Flexibility Payment

This post attracts a Level 2 Flexibility Payment (FP) that is paid monthly with salary. This FP allows HMRC flexibility to change your work pattern, at short notice, to meet business needs.

You will be expected to undertake periods of On Call. You will also be expected to work additional hours, at weekends and outside your normal working hours/days (including bank holidays).

In applying for a position and accepting the FP you agree that you can and will meet those attendance requirements.

Note: Payment of FP is dependent on successful completion of role specific training and you will move to Level 2 FP eligibility in stages (see the attached document for details).

FP levels are reviewed annually – on a business need and personal basis – and may be subject to change.

Person specification

The successful applicant will be expected to:

- Apply analytical techniques to various data sources in support of case objectives.
- Support Case Manager in identifying opportunities to exploit data using analytical techniques and collection capabilities.
- Support development of new capabilities through managing processes, testing, piloting, and feeding back as part of an implementation team.
- Work with our Data Analysis and System Management function to develop repeatable techniques and new capabilities to extract insights on data.
- Proactively maintain current and correct knowledge on relevant legislative requirements, legal gateways, policy and process regarding data management and sensitive collection capabilities.
- Possess high levels of motivation, initiative, and problem-solving abilities.
- Possess good attention to detail and be able to review and adapt Standard Operating Procedures to meet business need.
- Excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively with departmental colleagues and other Law Enforcement and Intelligence partners.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Hybrid or home working is not available as there is a daily requirement to attend the office to work on closed IT systems at higher classifications than Official Sensitive. Therefore the role requires office attendance 5 days a week and possibly some weekends.

This post is open to ‘UK Nationals Only’.

Additional Security Information

The successful candidate will be required to apply for Developed Vetting (DV) clearance level once in post but must already hold or be willing to obtain Security Check (SC) clearance level before starting the role. Please see Additional Security Information section below for further details.

Essential Criteria:

1. A demonstrable knowledge and practical application of using digital skills to conduct analysis across a variety of data sources including an understanding of how this can be used to drive intelligence development of progress an investigation.

2. Applicants must hold one of the below qualifications OR have Criminal Justice Investigation experience AND be required to attend and pass the HMRC Accelerated Pathway Training Course to obtain the Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist qualification.

· BTEC Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Enforcement (Criminal Investigation/Investigation)
· BTEC level 3 Advanced Diploma in Enforcement (Intelligence)
· BTEC level 4 in Counter Fraud Intelligence Specialist
· Level 4 Diploma - Accredited Counter-Fraud Manager
· Level 4 Diploma - Accredited Counter-Fraud Specialist/Officer
· University of Portsmouth CFPAB Accred