Head of Investigations

We are looking for an open-minded and collaborative Head of Investigations to help deliver the CCRC’s core purpose of finding and investigating suspected miscarriages of justice, someone committed to achieving our strategic aims of excellence in casework and enhanced engagement with applicants and stakeholders.
As Head of Investigations, you won't have your own cases, but you will provide advice and operational assistance on the exercise of our investigative powers and you will share your extensive experience and knowledge of criminal investigations to help guide our reviews. When necessary, you'll 'roll up your sleeves' and dig through files or conduct or assist in interviews with applicants and witnesses. We'll also look to you for advice on victim notification and risk assessments.
A highly-experienced senior police officer or equivalent, you will work closely with your own small team and with all our Case Review Managers. You'll be involved in some of our most complex and interesting cases, including those where we are directed by the Court of Appeal Criminal Division to investigate on their behalf, often in relation to jury irregularities. You'll also play a key role in any section 19 cases, where we require a Chief Constable to appoint an investigating officer to work to our directions., To provide leadership, advice and guidance on investigative practice and procedure to CCRC staff and Commissioners and thereby contribute to:
+ fulfilling the CCRC’s purpose of finding, investigating and referring suspected miscarriages of justice; and
+ achieving the CCRC’s strategic aims.
The Head of Investigations has line management responsibility for investigation team staff and is a member of the Casework Operations leadership team. The Head of Investigations is expected to create effective working relationships at all levels both inside and outside the CCRC.
Whilst based at home, the role does require regular travel throughout the UK, including overnight stays. Reasonable expenses will be covered by the CCRC.
Please read the Candidate Information Pack for the full job description details., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
o Making Effective Decisions
o Working Together
o Communicating and Influencing, 2. Criteria Questions - evidence of how you meet the criteria listed within the Person Specification. Once you have submitted your application form, if you have met the Lead Criteria you will be asked a number of questions to enable you to provide evidence of how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role. It is essential that you give evidence, using examples, of proven experience when addressing these questions.
Candidates will be asked to undertake a short online assessment, designed to test the key behavioural traits required for this role. This test will be sent to candidates on 9 January 2025, with a deadline of 15 January 2025.
The panel will complete the sift by 29 January 2025, or soon thereafter. Due to a high level of queries received, we kindly ask that you do not contact us for updates before this time. Regardless of the outcome, we will contact all applicants.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a panel interview during week commencing 10 February 2025 via Microsoft Teams.
The day before the interview, candidates will be asked to complete a case study task. Candidates will be provided with details of an example case via email and will have 3 hours to submit their response. This exercise will then be discussed at the start of the interview the following day for the panel to ask any relevant questions. Further information will be provided to shortlisted candidates.
This will be a blended interview based on Civil Service Success Profiles Behaviours, Experience and Strengths.
One of our HR colleagues will be on hand to answer any queries you may have throughout the process.
Please note, the above dates are subject to change. It may not be possible to accommodate alternative requests for assessment and interviews. Please refer to candidate pack for the indicative timeline.
As part of our application process, you will be prompted to provide details of any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process that you need. If you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments before applying, do contact the HR team in the first instance.
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 counter-terrorist 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:
o UK nationals
o nationals of the Republic of Ireland
o nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
o 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)
o 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)
o individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
o 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)

Extensive experience as a qualified investigator (Lead criteria) -
o Experience as a qualified investigator at junior and senior rank/grade up to and including at least Detective Chief Inspector or equivalent law enforcement agency grade.
o Extensive experience of managing major crime investigations, qualified in the role of Senior Investigating Officer to PIP3 level.
o Thorough understanding and experience of criminal law practices and procedures in England, Wales and/or Northern Ireland.
o Up-to-date knowledge of current regulations and procedures covering investigative practice e.g. Investigatory Powers Act 2016.
o Thorough understanding of disclosure under the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 and of obtaining PII authorisation for the non-disclosure of sensitive material.
o Experience of managing surveillance and other covert operations including handling, control, and management of CHIS.
Analytical and Decision-making skills -
o Analytical and thinking skills - the ability to understand complex information, to identify critical issues, recognise missing information and establish a reliable course of action
o Decision making skills – the ability to exercise sound judgement and a willingness to make evidence-based decisions within ambit of authority.
o Evidence of strategic and solution-focused thinking and actions.
Strategy, Stakeholders and Reputation -
o Experience of contributing to and managing issues of strategy and policy within the criminal justice environment.
o Experience of considering and managing organisational reputation and risk
o Experience of stakeholder engagement and communications
Communication -
o Excellent oral and written communication skills, including diplomacy and the ability to listen, persuade, influence, challenge and be challenged by others, both internally and externally
o The ability to build strong collaborative relationships and operate in a remote working environment
People Management -
o Experience of effectively managing and leading a team
o Experience of improving team/employee performance to meet organisation objectives/KPIs
Personal Qualities -
o An understanding of and commitment to diversity, and how it applies to this role
o Personal qualities – an open mind, collaborative, a positive problem-solver, determination, integrity, reliability and a desire to learn., Qualified in the role of Senior Investigating Officer to PIP3 level.

Alongside your salary of £55,750, Criminal Cases Review Commission contributes £16,150 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
We offer a wide range of benefits, including flexible working options. You can also look forward to:
o A Civil Service pension - this will see us making a significant contribution to your pension fund
o 29 days' annual leave allowance (pro rata), in addition to eight statutory bank holidays and special leave allowance for your birthday
o Generous paid maternity, paternity and shared parental leave (SPL) which is in excess of the statutory minimum
o We have flexible working patterns, including access to a flexible working scheme;
o We also operate a flexi time system which means you can build up to two additional days off per month
o Remote working (anywhere in the UK) - we will supply all the kit you need to work from home comfortably and safely
o Reimbursement for any travel, subsistence, and expenses
o 3 paid volunteering days per year
o Access to retail discounts and a cashback site
o Occupational Health Services and an Employee Assistance Programme
o Free eye tests and a contribution towards lenses or spectacles for VDU users
To find out more and apply, please visit our website.