Higher Executive Officer - Investigation Officer, Criminal Investigations Team - South

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 7 employee network groups available to join or become an ally, these include LGBT+, FACES, Break the Stigma, Disability & Health, Part Time Workers, Women’s and Carers.

We offer full-time, part-time time, job share and flexible ways of working. 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, though 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.

We provide the frameworks that deal with insolvency and the financial misconduct that sometimes accompanies or leads to it. Our aim is a corporate insolvency regime which is regarded as fair and that gives businesses and investors confidence to take the commercial risks necessary to support economic growth. Furthermore, we target misuse of government backed Covid recovery funds.

Our structure

The Insolvency Service is an executive agency of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy with headquarters in London. We are currently implementing a five year strategy to, over time, mange our business through 11 Regional Centres in Manchester, Nottingham, Ipswich, Stratford East, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Croydon, Exeter, Cardiff, Birmingham and Leeds.

The Criminal Investigation Team is responsible for conducting criminal investigations into insolvency and corporate related criminal offences which support the Agency’s objective to tackle financial wrongdoing. The team works closely with our civil investigation teams, and our Legal Services Directorate internally, and other Law Enforcement partner organisations to ensure that we fulfil our role in delivering Governmental strategies.

We are recruiting a criminal investigator for the Criminal Investigation Team in the southern region who will play a key role in the team, carrying out criminal investigations mainly under the Insolvency Act 1986, Companies Act 2006, Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986, Fraud Act 2006, and Theft Act 1968, reporting to the Senior Investigation Manager and the Chief Investigator.

The role can be based in Stratford in London, Croydon or Exeter and regular attendance will be required in accordance with the hybrid working model of 40% office attendance. Regular travel to obtain witness statements and to interview suspects will be required in addition to meetings with stakeholders and other regulators. Occasional overnight stays may be required. The jobholder will be required to be flexible regarding the length and timing of the working day to meet the demands of the business.

The main duties of the role are:

• Investigate a range of criminal offences including complex fraud, bankruptcy, insolvency and Covid related offences. Obtain detailed statements of witnesses in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1967, Magistrates Court Act 1980 and the Criminal Justice Act of 1988 and 2003
• Interview persons suspected of offences under the provisions of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE)
• Prepare case files with detailed evidence based reports on the findings of investigations in accordance with the management of disclosure material under the Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act 1996 (CPIA). These will be to a high standard suitable for testing in Criminal Courts, often to tight timescales
• Work closely with line management to effectively manage your caseload, reviewing the progress of cases, maintaining quality and meeting legislative demands. Ensure quality in the preparation of cases, leading to criminal proceedings or disclosure to other regulators
• Work closely with the Agency’s prosecution and advisory lawyers and counsel, take the lead and drive follow up action arising from criminal cases. Contribute to discussion with lawyers and counsel, being a witness in appropriate cases and attending court as a witness/disclosure officer. Work closely with other investigation/prosecution/enforcement disciplinary agencies and stakeholders to ensure enforcement action is progressed appropriately and promptly, ensuring value for money
• To contribute to the performance of the team and the achievement of the team targets as well as embedding continuous improvement practises as business as usual activity, as well as maintaining investigation standards

Essential skills

• A proven, extensive and demonstrable criminal/fraud investigation background, which ideally should have been gained within a Government Department Agency, Police Service, or similar organisation - within the last 2 years
• A team player with excellent communication skills, used to working in partnership with fellow law enforcement professionals and colleagues
• Excellent analytical skills
• Membership of the Government Counter Fraud Programme, or willingness to join
• A demonstrable knowledge of the rules of criminal evidence including CPIA, PACE, Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) is essential, together with a working knowledge of Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA)
• Ability to plan operations and initiatives, ability to prioritise cases against competing procedures and deadlines
• A calm, authoritative and adaptable approach. Keen problem solving skills, flexibility and drive
• A full UK driving licence is essential and own vehicle is desirable.

Desirable skills

• Knowledge of legislation affecting bankruptcy and companies
• Professionalising Investigations Programme (PIP) level 2 accredited investigator. Or an accredited member of the Government Counter Fraud Profession

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

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

• Flexi time and flexible working arrangements. In line with The Insolvency Service flexible / hybrid working policy a minimum 40% of contracted hours must be worked in the office. However, it will be a requirement of the job role to work in the office more frequently when required, to meet business needs.
• 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 privilege day
• Competitive maternity, paternity and parental leave.
• 5 days paid leave for learning and development
• 5 days paid for volunteering
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loan
• 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.

Civil Service Pension

• 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

Job contact :

Name :
Peter Fulham
Email :
peter.fulham@insolvency.gov.uk

Recruitment team :

Email :
InsolvencyRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk