Communications Data Investigator (Single Point of Contact)

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Please note: Both Trainees and Experienced applicants will be considered.
HMRC is the UK’s tax, payments and customs authority and we have a vital purpose: we collect the money that pays for the UK’s public services and help families and individuals with targeted financial support.
HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service (FIS) is responsible for the department’s civil and criminal investigations.
FIS provides HMRC with an effective investigation arm to enforce the Department’s compliance policies. This enables the Department to deliver against the strategic responsibilities across all the taxes and duties it administers. This includes complex offshore evasion, international smuggling of illicit excise goods, exports of controlled weapons and technology, labour market abuses, VAT and Self-Assessment repayment frauds and a host of other fraud attacks targeted at the tax system.
FIS is home to a wide range of people with a variety of skills and professional backgrounds – including accountants, cybercrime specialists, criminal justice professionals, tax professionals and operational delivery support teams to name but a few. We use a range of powers and approaches to protect funding for UK public services, investigating the most harmful tax cheats and ensuring nobody is beyond our reach.
Digital Operations sits within HMRC’s wider Fraud Investigation Service (FIS). Working across Law Enforcement and government, Digital Operations 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., Join HMRC’s Communications Data Unit (CDU) within FIS Digital Operations for an exciting opportunity to support high-profile investigations. The CDU provides specialist assistance to HMRC teams working on Organised Crime, Civil Investigations, Financial Investigations, Internal Investigations, and Offshore Corporate and Wealthy cases, as well as to Risk Intelligence Service (RIS) teams.
These roles are based in the Manchester team at HMRC’s regional centre, Three New Bailey, New Bailey Street, Salford, Manchester, M3 5FS. Occasional travel, including overnight stays, will be required to collaborate with the London team at Stratford Regional Centre (14 Westfield Avenue, London E20 1HZ) and attend training or meetings at other HMRC locations nationally.
As a key team member, the post holder will use advanced systems to lawfully acquire communications data, playing a crucial role in tackling serious tax evasion and fraud investigations.

Person specification
Every day is different. The CDU is the centre of excellence in the lawful acquisition of communications data. The CDU prides itself on always learning and sharing knowledge to drive effective communications and digital strategies.
You will solve investigation problems and help teams to achieve their objectives at pace. The successful candidate will contribute and make a difference to every investigation.
As part of the role, you will:
+ Be part of a team providing expert advice and support to operational teams in the acquisition and use of communications data.
+ Be part of a team ensuring that applications for communications data under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA) comply with the legislation and the IPA Codes of Practice.
+ Participate in operational planning where communications data is key to the success of an investigation.
+ Use a variety of HMRC and external service providers’ online systems to lawfully acquire communications data.
+ Represent HMRC at meetings with external partners and maintain professional relationships with service providers.
+ Have the ability to communicate complex technical issues effectively to others, less technically competent.
+ Maintain the College of Policing Accreditation through Continuous Professional Development annual mandatory training.
Training Requirements:
This role requires a significant training commitment to ensure proficiency in specialist areas of communication data investigation.
Initial Training: Approximately 20 weeks of training will be required, including time with the CDU team in Manchester and London. Travel and occasional overnight stays may be necessary for training events, team meetings, and partner agency discussions.
Mandatory Accreditation:
+ Successful candidates must complete the College of Policing Communications Data Investigator Single Point of Contact (SPoC) Accreditation Course.
+ This includes a one-week online course followed by a one-week residential course at the College of Policing (Ryton-on-Dunsmore).
Mentoring and Ongoing Development:
+ One-to-one mentoring will be provided in the office to support learning.
+ Following accreditation, candidates must complete a CDU training workbook/evidence log to demonstrate competency in all areas of CDU work., + There may be a requirement to obtain Developed Vetting (DV) following completion of training to assist in more sensitive areas of FIS Digital Operations work areas.
+ Further information regarding security vetting can be found in the following link; https://www.gov.uk/guidance/security-vetting-and-clearance
+ Candidates must pass the College of Policing Communications Data Investigator Single Point of Contact (SPoC) accreditation course which is required to perform the role of Communications Data Investigator (see the training section)., Applicants who wish to work alternative working patterns are welcome to apply. The preferred working pattern may or may not be available, agreement will be subject to business need, and any request to work an alternative working pattern should be made prior to your acceptance of the provisional offer.
Depending on individual circumstances and the requirements of the role we may be able to make reasonable workplace adjustments such as flexible working, adjusting breaks and time to complete tasks, providing alternative office equipment, software etc. A successful applicant would be able to discuss this with their manager.
Appointment will be conditional upon satisfactory conduct and discipline checks and security vetting.
Candidates must live within reasonable daily travel of Manchester Regional Centre.
Integrity Declaration Statement
All applicants will be required to declare any past convictions, criminal findings, or police cautions, regardless of whether they are ‘spent’. You must also declare any disciplinary proceedings relating to previous employments. The disclosure of this information will not automatically disbar you from employment with FIS, but we need to be aware of any event or issue which could impinge on your credibility if questioned in court.
FIS may conduct background checks and any offer will be withdrawn if you fail to disclose any relevant material that causes conflict with you being able to complete the duties of the role.

Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Working Together
+ Making Effective Decisions
+ Changing and Improving, We acknowledge that AI can assist you in your application. Find our guidelines here.
Sift
In the event of a large number of applications being received, an initial sift may be held on the personal statement.
At full sift your CV, and your Personal Statement will be assessed, with the successful candidates being invited to interview.
We may also raise the score required at any stage of the process if we receive a high number of applications.
Interview
During the panel interview, your experience will be assessed, and you will be asked behaviour-based questions to explore in detail what you are capable of, and you will be asked strength-based questions to also explore what you enjoy and your motivations relevant to the job role.
This is an example of a strengths-based question:
“It is often said that the customer's needs should come first. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?”
There is no expectation or requirement for you to prepare for the strengths-based questions in advance of the interview, though you may find it helpful to spend some time reflecting on what you enjoy doing and what you do well.
Interviews will take place via video link. Sift and interview dates to be confirmed. Interview notes will not be permitted.
Eligibility
Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. We understand mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we will not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, please contact us via: unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk – Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example – ‘Please re-open my application – 381998 & vacancy closing date 15/01/2025’.
To check that you are eligible to apply for this role, please review the eligibility information before submitting your application.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles – if this applies to you, we’ll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.
Merit List
After interview, a single merit list will be created, and you will only be considered for posts in locations you have expressed a preference for. Appointments will be made in strict merit order in line with the set number of roles in each location.
Criminal Record Check
Applications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.
Reasonable Adjustments
We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
+ Contact the UBS Recruitment team via unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Additional Security Information
Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.
Important information for existing HMRC contractual homeworkers:
Please note that this role is unsuitable for contractual homeworkers due to the nature and/or requirements of the role.
Terms and Conditions
Customer facing roles in HMRC require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement, this will be tested as part of the selection process.
HMRC has a presence in every region of the UK. For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations.
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences.
Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application(s) will be withdrawn from the process.
Recording of interviews is prohibited unless explicit agreement is sought in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations.
Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
New entrants will join on the minimum of the pay band.
If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window)., Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of the Recruitment Principles.
In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly via ubsrecruitmentcomplaints@hmrc.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their website.

+ This post requires National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level and you must hold SC vetting or be willing to apply for SC vetting., + Candidates would benefit from a keen interest or relevant experience in communications and digital data.
+ This will help the chosen candidates lead the way in analysing data from Telecommunications Operators to support case teams in developing effective communication and digital tactics to defend against criminal attacks on the UK tax system.

Alongside your salary of £29,475, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £8,538 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.
We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.
+ Pension - We make contributions to our colleagues’ Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary.
+ Family friendly policies.
+ Personal support.
+ Coaching and development.
To find out more about HMRC benefits and find out what it’s really like to work for HMRC hear from our insiders or visit Thinking of joining the Civil Service