Digital Investigator - National Digital Investigation Unit

Job summary

Discover what it’s like to work in a compliance role that makes an impact. Could you help us shape a stronger, fairer future? Your next career move starts here.

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.

HMRC is faced with increasingly complex frauds committed by well-resourced and, often, digitally informed and aware criminal groups.

This post sits within the CODE Digital Operations command that includes the Communications Data Unit (CDU) and the National Digital Investigation Unit (NDIU). This command recognises the importance and synergy between these two technical areas.

This is an opportunity to join CODE Digital Operations during a crucial period of expansion, development of capability and impact.

The National Digital Investigation Unit (NDIU) specialise in digital problem solving, drawing upon operational experience and pragmatic application of datasets, such as but not limited to Communications Data, Open Source Intelligence, vehicle telematics, ANPR data and digital forensics (handset downloads).

Job description

The NDIU is a team of Digital Investigators, which provide ongoing and dynamic operational advice and support to Risk Intelligence Service (RIS) and FIS case teams and wider internal ‘customers’ such as, the Priority Criminals Unit, Internal Investigations, Protected Persons Unit and the Operational Security network to name a few.

Developing effective digital strategies is fundamental to NDIU assisting investigation teams to achieve meaningful operational outcomes.

The NDIU is a national team, the role involves regular travel with overnight stays to attend training courses or work alongside colleagues, particularly within the first two years on the team.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a command that enhances HMRC’s response to sophisticated organised crime and serious fraud.

Our work is varied, rewarding and impactful, investigating the most harmful tax frauds and criminal groups.

Using innovative digital approaches and techniques, you will be making decisions that will help tackle fraudsters who present the highest threat to the UK Exchequer.

You will be working with like-minded people, who constantly look for opportunities to add value and share knowledge to drive investigations forward.

Person specification

As a Digital Investigator you will:

• Become proficient in the application of Digital Investigation techniques, exploiting social media, closed sources and emerging communication systems, using several bespoke third-party solutions.
• Consider and create bespoke digital strategies to assist and support high priority, complex and sensitive HMRC investigations.
• Provide advice to support proactive and reactive operations, including live deployments, to identify data acquisition and exploitation opportunities. Advice ranges from sustained dedicated support over many months to short term assistance.
• Provide guidance to Senior Investigation Officers/Investigators on the use of technology in investigations, using experience and knowledge to develop and progress digital strategies, in difficult or complex investigations.
• Gather intelligence and evidence on individuals, corporates, and organised crime groups to progress and enhance criminal investigations into attacks on our tax systems.
• Utilise digital investigation skills and bespoke tools to interrogate, evaluate and interpret relevant digital data sets.
• Identify, collate and exploit data from external and internal data sources to develop the most holistic picture of an individual.
• Conduct research, including internet and social networking analysis, to an evidential standard.
• Flexibility to travel within the role. There will be a bespoke training package depending on the previous experience of the successful candidate, which will require travel.
• Be part of 1 week in 4 on-call cadre. This is in line with Flexibility Payment 2.

Essential Criteria

• A sound knowledge of Communications Data.
• An understanding of Digital Investigation opportunities and capabilities.
• An interest in current and emerging communications technologies.

This role requires experience of conducting criminal investigations and a thorough working knowledge of Criminal Justice procedures. Including the following legislation and corresponding Codes of Practice:

• Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA)
• Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA)
• Police Act 1997 (PA)
• Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA)
• Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act 1996 (CPIA)
• Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE)

Further Location Information

Please ensure that you only apply for a location that you are willing and able to work from, as we will only make one offer of employment. Any additional notes included in a ‘Further Location Preferences (optional)’ field within the application form, will not be considered. Please be aware that you cannot change your location preference after submitting your application.

Office Closures

If your location preference is for the following site, it’s important to note that this is not long-term site for HMRC and we will require you to move to a new building in the future, subject to our location strategy and the applicable employee policies at that time.

For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations (opens in a new window)

This site is:

• Benton Park View, Newcastle - moving to Pilgrims Quarter, Newcastle

You will be given more information about what this means at the job offer stage.

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.

Details of the Flexibility Payment can be found in the attached document.

Qualifications

Please advise on your CV that you are an accredited criminal justice professional or intelligence analyst, that you can commit to any required training, and that you hold at least one of the following:

- HMRC BTEC Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Enforcement (Criminal Investigation)
- HMRC Accredited Counter Fraud Qualification Level 4 Diploma
- University of Portsmouth Counter Fraud Professional Accreditation Board (CFPAB) Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist.
- University of Northumbria CFPAB Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist.
- University of Portsmouth CFPA