Authorising Officer

Job summary

Who we are

The Investigatory Powers Act 2016 established the office of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner (IPC) and provides for the appointment of Judicial Commissioners (JCs) to approve and oversee the use of investigatory powers by public authorities. The current IPC is Sir Brian Leveson.

The IPC and JCs have the important function of balancing the public interest and the rights of the individual independently of Government, specifically protecting the public by reviewing whether public authorities’ interference with those rights is justifiable.

IPCO are committed to creating an increasingly diverse and inclusive workplace. Our people are our greatest asset and so we aim to foster a safe environment where diversity of thought is welcomed, work-life balance is valued and opportunity for growth is encouraged.

Communications data authorisations

The IPC is responsible for the work of communications data authorisations. The Authorisations Team considers applications for the acquisition of communications data (CD) from law enforcement and public authorities. The team is located across two offices in Birmingham and Manchester.

Communications data is the information generated which relates mostly to telephone communication or internet activity. The data describes the communication but not the content of this.

Communications data is now used in 95% of serious and organised criminal prosecutions and has been used in every major counter terrorism investigation over the past decade. As such, the acquisition of CD must be independently authorised and that is the function of IPCO as an independent body.

Job description

The role of an Authorising Officer, Authorising Officers are responsible for assessing public authorities’ requests to acquire communications data in compliance with the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 and other relevant legislation.

Your role will be to independently assess the necessity and proportionality of applications received from public authorities. Applications are received from across the UK, and you will have the responsibility for the final decision as to authorise, decline or return applications.

The applications IPCO receive contain large amounts of information and need to be fully considered. Each application should be considered on its own merit, and you will make timely and objective decisions based on the facts available.

The role of Authorising Officer is vital as communications data can either support or disprove an alibi and can identify links that may exist between suspects and a crime scene. Sometimes CD is the only way to identify these offenders, particularly where offences are committed online, such as child sexual exploitation or fraud.

Our operation is a fast-paced environment, with high volume workloads.

Due to the nature of this work, high levels of discretion will be expected from the successful candidates.

Person specification

Responsibilities IPCO welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. To work in this role, successful applicants will be expected to:

• Assimilate complex information quickly and use it to make effective decisions independently within the strict constraints of legislation.
• Understand the impact of their decisions, take responsibility, and have the confidence to justify them.
• Have effective written and oral communication skills and be comfortable engaging with a variety of stakeholders at different levels.
• Respond positively to changes in working systems, processes and teams and follow the productivity targets, showing commitment to continuous improvement in an environment where performance matters.
• Ability to work responsibly in dealing with confidential/sensitive information, being mindful of data security.
• Maintain ethical principles and adhere to IPCO core values, applying them to every aspect of your work.

Shift and hybrid working

This role is scheduled as a shift working role. IPCO Authorisations operates business hours of 0700 – 2200 and therefore the shift pattern includes early starts, evening and weekend working, as well as working on public holidays.

All staff working shifts receive an Annualised Hours Working (AHW) allowance. This is an additional allowance received alongside your basic salary, based on your attendance patterns for the year that compensates for working shifts. You will receive an annualised hours agreement, which is a written agreement between you and your manager, detailing the period the agreement runs for, your attendance requirements and your AHW percentages. This figure is currently circa 18%. This percentage calculation is assessed in line with the operational demands of the business and is subject to change and review. It is not guaranteed and may cease at any time.

It is your responsibility to ensure that shift working is suitable for you before accepting the offer.

IPCO are currently adhering to the Home Office hybrid working model, which enables staff to split their time working in the office and at home. Currently this is 60% of working hours spent in the office.

Please note that office attendance is mandatory as critical aspects of the role must be carried out on systems that cannot be accessed from home. It is your responsibility to ensure that office attendance is suitable for you before accepting the offer.

The role is only available on a full-time basis, due to operational requirements.

Training

You will be given the necessary training to fulfil the role of Authorising Officer. You will receive a comprehensive package of classroom-based, interactive and mentor-based learning, over a period of 7 weeks to develop an understanding of the relevant legislation and how to consider an application.

During this time, you will be fully supported by IPCO’s trainers and mentors. At the end of training, you will complete an assessment which must be passed before you can undertake the duties of the role.

The training course is run on a full-time basis on weekdays. During the initial 7-week training period, you will receive 0% AHW allowance to reflect the Monday to Friday working pattern.

Security Clearance

DV clearance is an essential requirement for this role. Successful candidates will be permitted to start with SC clearance whilst they undergo the NCA Enhanced and DV clearance processes. During the period where you hold SC clearance, you will only perform elements of the role which fall under SC clearance. If your DV clearance application is unsuccessful, you may enter Restructuring, Redeploymentor Redundancy.

Information supplied during the DV process may be required more than once to obtain access to all IPCO systems in this role.

Further information relating to security vetting can be found at United Kingdom Security Vetting: Applicant - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service

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

• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits