** Digital Forensic Practitioner

Job summary

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.

Immigration Enforcement is responsible for enforcing the government’s immigration laws, tackling illegal migration, removing foreign national offenders and immigration offenders from the UK. We also aim to disrupt the organised criminal groups that exploit the vulnerable for their personal gain. Learn more on our careers pages.

As part of Criminal and Financial Investigation (CFI), Cyber & Digital Capabilities (CDC) provides comprehensive digital forensics services to support Immigration Enforcement operations and criminal investigations. This includes the acquisition of data from digital devices as well as the subsequent processing and analysis to provide actionable evidence for criminal investigation teams.

Job description

An exciting opportunity for a high-performing individual to join a fast-paced digital forensic unit within a rapidly evolving area of CFI. The role involves the forensic extraction and analysis of data, as well as enhancing audio, video, and photographic evidence using specialist tools. You will produce high-quality outputs to support complex investigations and assist case teams.

All Criminal and Financial Investigation staff are required to disclose any adverse judicial decisions or internal disciplinary matters under Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act (CPIA). Applicants need to bear this in mind when considering their eligibility for this post.

Please be aware that this role involves viewing data contained on electronic devices and therefore poses the risk of viewing indecent material.

You may be required to undertake the same or a similar role within a different team or teams (where possible, at your base location or within reasonable travel distance), depending on business priorities. With appropriate training and support, this will provide opportunities to broaden both your experience and skill set.

Key Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Forensically secure and retrieve data from digital devices in accordance with ISO 17025 and the Forensic Science Regulators (FSR) Codes.
• Analyse and report results to evidential standards, in a format that can be readily understood and evaluated suitable for investigations.
• Provide technical support for Officers viewing data extracted from digital devices.
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date records, ensuring the integrity and continuity of exhibits through robust chain-of-custody procedures.
• Providing expert advice and guidance to investigators and attend court to present evidence when necessary.
• Assist as appropriate in the execution of search warrants, providing specialist advice and guidance on the correct methods of seizing and removing digital devices and other internet enabled equipment.

Working Pattern

Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis.

Shift Working

Successful candidates will need to be able to attend for all shifts including early starts, late night finishes, and overnight shifts. These shifts may be outside of public transport operating hours.

Travel

Travel within the UK and some overseas travel may be required as part of this role.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to produce clear, concise reports relating to information recovered from digital devices, providing specialist interpretation.
• Excellent team worker who is able to network and is confident when dealing with other Government colleagues and/or external stakeholders.
• Experience of using Microsoft office suite (Excel, word, and PowerPoint) and confident in utilising various computer packages to achieve a desired outcome.
• Resilient, with the ability to quickly adapt and respond to changing circumstances or priorities and operate in an environment of change and ambiguity.
• Previous digital forensic experience or experience in analysing data from electronic devices.

Desirable Criteria

• Completion of the College of Policing courses Core Skills in Data Recovery, CCTV level 1, and CCTV level 2.
• A degree (or equivalent) in a digital forensics, computing, or data analysis-based discipline or equivalent Industry training.

Licences

Due to the nature of the work and/or the geographical area, driving is a key requirement for this role. Applicants must have a full valid UK manual/automatic driving licence.

Technical skills

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

• GSE: Applying Knowledge (Foundation)
• GSE: Developing / Maintaining Expertise (Foundation)
• GSE: Regulatory Knowledge (Foundation)

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

• GSE: Applying Knowledge (Foundation)

Benefits

In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:

• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.
• 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service to 30 days.
• Eight days of public holidays, plus one additional privilege day.
• This role currently attracts Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA) of 27.75% of salary, which equates to an additional £9,550 per annum based on salary minimum. Further information can be found on our website.
• See more of our benefits on our careers website.

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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 Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

This gives us the best p