Facial Image Officer

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.
The Forensic Information Databases Service (FINDS) provides a national service that manages the inputs, outputs, and data integrity of the forensic information databases, namely the National DNA Database, the National Fingerprint Database (IDENT1), and the National Footwear Database. Each of these databases identifies links between DNA or marks found at scenes of crime with DNA, ten prints or shoe impressions obtained from arrestees (and on occasion other individuals such as vulnerable persons and missing persons).
FINDS are onboarding the new service of managing the data integrity of the Unified Collection of Custody Images (UCCI) which will be stored within IDENT1. Each custody facial image will be stored alongside the associated fingerprint image. This will be a new Team within FINDS, is expected to start small but to grow in the near future.
The main responsibility of the Facial Image Team is to maintain the accuracy and integrity of the UCCI within IDENT1, ensuring it is lawfully aligned with the associated fingerprint sample. Providing a central customer base for the UCCI and system expertise supplying advice, support, and problem resolution to UK policing. Using their expertise to ensure that the intelligence provided to UK forces via the information stored on these databases is not compromised., The Facial Image Officer provides operational support to police forces and key stakeholders, researching and monitoring for occurrences of data anomaly to initiate corrective actions. These responsibilities help to assure the quality and integrity of the data held within the national systems.
This is a critical role for maintaining public confidence in the national forensic databases in supporting policing in reducing crime, maintaining order, and bringing criminals to justice.
The current building location for this role is London - 2 Marsham Street., + To ensure the integrity and quality of Facial Image data held on the IDENT1 system is maintained. Achieved through regular review of reconciliation data and subsequent investigation and resolution of reconciliation issues in accordance with SOP and the QMS.
+ Offer expert knowledge and experience to all UK police forces and suppliers, providing support and clear guidance required to ensure the integrity and quality of the person related data held on IDENT1 and associated databases.
+ To contribute to the Facial Image Team service delivery effort to meet customer requirements, in accordance with the FINDS data assurance strategy and to set KPI and SLA targets.To provide metrics and updates to the Operations and Assurance Manager, and the FINDs Head of Unit to aid the improvement and accuracy of IDENT1.
+ To comply with and have commitment to the FINDS QMS and all pertinent regulatory requirements.
+ Participates in and contributes to the delivery of Operational Change Programmes and Continuous Improvement activities.
+ Maintains effective working relationships with Key Stakeholders and Customers including: Home Office colleagues, Law enforcement Agencies of England and Wales, Northern Ireland and the Scottish Police Authority, CPS and Forensic Service Providers, and suppliers of the system.
+ Any reasonable request within the limits of skill, experience, competence, and training.
Working Pattern
Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis with the option of compressed hours working. As this is a new workstream, the complexity of the training and validation activity means that any successful candidate must be prepared to attend the office on a full-time basis during the first 6 months of employment., We will endeavour to conduct the selection process in line with the dates indicated below, but cannot guarantee that these will not, where necessary, be revised.
As part of the application process, you will first be asked to confirm your eligibility by providing some basic personal information.
After submission of this first stage, you will be invited to complete the following Civil Service Work Strengths test.
1. Online Test – by 18th November 2024.
If you successfully pass the Civil Service Work Strengths test, you will be invited to complete the full application form. Please complete the online test as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended). If you fail to complete the online test(s) or full application before the deadline, your application will be withdrawn.
Guidance for the Civil Service test(s), will be available when you are invited to take the test(s). The tests are administered online and accessed via the Civil Service Jobs website.
You cannot complete the tests on a mobile phone or tablet.
Following successful completion of your test/s, you will then be asked to complete the full application form.
2. Application – by 18th November 2024.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:
+ CV detailing job history/qualifications/skills.
+ Personal Statement (maximum 750 words).
+ Evidence of the Behaviour 'Working Together' (maximum of 250 words per Behaviour).
Your CV should consist of your career history, qualifications and skills/experience, including any key achievements in each role. Your CV will be used to provide further context on your personal statement and scored against the essential criteria.
The Personal Statement should be aligned to and demonstrate how you meet the skills and experience set out in the essential criteria, detailed in the job description.
For guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV, Personal Statement and Behaviours), you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.
3. Sift – week commencing 18th November 2024.
The sift will be held on the CV, Personal Statement and Behaviour 'Working Together'.
Should a high volume of applications be received, an initial sift will be conducted on the CV. Candidates who pass the initial sift will then be progressed to a full sift that will consist of the Behaviours 'Managing a Quality Service' and Personal Statement.
Candidates who fail to meet the minimum pass score for the CV will not have their Personal Statement or behaviour scored and will only receive a sift score for the CV.
4. Interview – week commencing 9th December 2024.
If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview that will be:
+ Behaviour (as listed in the job advert) based questions., You will only be able to select a single location preference so please ensure this is a location that you are prepared to travel to. If you are offered a role at your preferred location and you decline, your application will be withdrawn.
Reserve list
A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made. There is no guarantee that being held on a reserve list will lead to a job offer. Further information can be found on our website.
Standards
All Civil Servants are expected to comply with the Civil Service Code, and its core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.
Additional Security checks
As well as successfully obtaining UK Security Vetting clearance, candidates will be subject to a range of additional checks. The range of checks carried out will depend on whether you are a current Home Office employee, existing civil servant or an external new entrant as well as the role requirements. Further details are included in the Notes to Candidates.
Non-Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV)
You should currently hold, or be willing to obtain, Non-Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV) Level-3 vetting (including financial checks). This is essential for the role. For further information visit About the Police National Vetting Service , Warwickshire Police.
Problems during the application process
If you experience problems accessing this advert, or you think you’ve made a mistake on an initial application, please contact hocandidates.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk, including the vacancy reference, at least two working days before the vacancy closes. Further information can be found on our website.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
If you are invited to an interview, you will be required to bring documentation for the purposes of establishing your identity.
You will need to meet the nationality requirements for this role and obtain the necessary security clearance to take it up. For meaningful security checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. Learn more on our website. Security Checks - Home Office Careers
Visa sponsorship
We do not sponsor individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas.
Reasonable Adjustments
If a person with disabilities is at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
+ Contact Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.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
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.
Feedback
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).

+ Experience of working in a Law Enforcement Agency environment (such as Police Services or Border Control) or from within the Forensic Industry.
+ Applicants will need to demonstrate an understanding of the policies and procedures impacting on the Police, system suppliers and Criminal Justice System to ensure that the data obtained is accurate and interpreted correctly, in the context of the environment of the database.
+ Demonstrates understanding of the current UK Government legislation relating to taking, processing and retention of biometrics, and their associated data on other national systems.
+ Awareness of priorities and policy in the Policing, other Law Enforcement Agencies and Criminal Justice Sector.
+ Analytical and Problem Solving skills, with a particular focus on attention to detail.
+ Resilience with the ability to respond to challenges positively and effectively.
+ The role holder will be relaying information of a complex nature to an audience from a range of backgrounds. Therefore, a high level of interpersonal skill with good communication skills, and a strong customer and business focus is essential.
Desirable criteria
+ Knowledge of the workings of central government departments and the drivers, targets, and measures of business performance in a public service environment.
+ Experience of adhering to Quality Management Systems (preferably ISO 9001 or ISO 17025) and of Continuous Improvement methodologies (Lean 6 Sigma).

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Working Together
+ Changing and Improving
+ Delivering at Pace
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
+ Working Together, In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:
+ Learning and development tailored to your role.
+ 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.
+ Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office.
See more of our benefits on our careers website.