HMRC - Investigation Officer FIS Strategic Exports & Sanctions Enforcement

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HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is one of the largest Government Departments and one of the country’s biggest organisations. Almost every individual and business in the UK is a direct customer of HMRC. Whilst HMRC is primarily known for the collection of taxes and other financial concerns, HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service (FIS) is responsible for the department’s civil and criminal investigations. 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., Within FIS sits the Strategic Exports and Sanctions Enforcement Team who are responsible for enforcing export licences concerning military, dual-use goods, and counter proliferation (CP) activity. We are also responsible for enforcement of Sanctions, including Russian Sanctions.
The work of the team is complex, interesting, and rewarding. FIS Strategic Export & Sanctions Enforcement Team fulfils the principal export control enforcement function on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade, the UK Export Licensing Authority.
This is an exciting opportunity to join the FIS Strategic Export & Sanctions Enforcement Team. You will be working closely with 60+ individuals based in Stratford, Croydon, and Manchester Regional Centres. The role of this joint team is to detect breaches of UK export controls, other counterproliferation (CP) legislation, including trade sanctions, and take appropriate enforcement action to promote compliance within the UK exporter community. This will include disrupting illicit attempts to procure strategic goods from the UK and where appropriate reporting cases to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for consideration of criminal proceedings. The team are growing this year to deliver against the UKs commitment to deliver increased compliance and enforcement of the measures aimed at denying Russia the benefits of G7 economies.
The team are responsible for the criminal enforcement of imported/exported sanctioned goods, along with new Trade Services sanctions including management consulting, accounting, public relations, IT consultancy (including the design of IT systems and software applications), architectural services, engineering, advertising, auditing, Internet, and monitoring services.
Sanctions enforcement is one of the primary focuses for the team and is part of a X-Whitehall approach. The workload has significantly increased over recent years due to a raft of new sanctions legislation being introduced. The team is growing to meet the demands of the increased workload.
Becoming a Fraud Investigator for HMRC does not require you to have any prior knowledge or experience in investigation or tax. Instead, we are looking for positive, dynamic, and enthusiastic individuals with a passion for learning, and an ambition to develop strong analytical and investigatory careers, who have a drive to learn and thrive in a varied and challenging role.
Once you have completed your initial training, you will be responsible for the progression and enhancement of criminal investigations and or intelligence development work undertaken by the case team. You will use powers granted to HMRC under a range of legislation to manage casework and resources to deliver criminal investigations in line with targets and business priorities.
The role of an Investigation Officer is not always a standard 9-5 position, you may be expected to work evenings and weekends, sometimes at short notice. HMRC pay a Flexibility Payment (FP) to recompense for this which enables different levels of flexibility to be accommodated.
This role can, at times be physically demanding and applicants are required to have an appropriate level of fitness to obtain an occupational health fitness certificate and pass Public & Personal Safety Training (PPST)which is a compulsory element of the role.
You will undertake operational activities such as search of premises, seizure of goods and detention of goods. You will be expected to have the ability to dynamically apply laws, always adhering to legislation and policy.
You will also undertake arrests, conduct search of person, interview under caution and attend court to give evidence and/or act as deputy disclosure officer in criminal prosecutions and/or financial recovery hearings., As an Investigation Officer (IO) engaged on Counter Proliferation duties within Strategic Exports and Sanctions Enforcement you will be expected to:
+ Demonstrate excellent communication skills and ability to manage workload efficiently and proactively progress investigations.
+ Responsible for the progression and enhancement of criminal investigations and or intelligence development work undertaken by the case team.
+ Be accountable for decisions and activities undertaken during investigations. Decisions will be subject to scrutiny and inspection by Senior Investigation Officers, the Court System, and external authorities.
+ Undertake a wide range of desk-based duties, including the analysis of material, preparation of written material and official documents, including Search Warrants and Production Order applications, case files and detailed reports.
+ Compile high quality case reports and evidential bundles for submission to the relevant prosecutor.
+ Undertake the role of Deputy Disclosure Officer / Deputy Reviewing Officer in relation to reviewing and revealing material, created, or obtained in the course of an investigation, to the prosecutor in line with legislation.
+ Undertake operational activities such as search of premises, seizure of goods and detention of goods. Dynamically apply laws, always adhering to legislation and policy.
+ Deliver briefing and de-briefing activities to identify improvements and best practice, sharing that knowledge appropriately., A sift will be undertaken on your personal statement against how you meet the essential criteria with 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, you will be asked questions based on the behaviours listed below 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.
If interviews are required, they will take place via video link. Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
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, please contact us via: ubsrecruitmentexcellence@hmrc.gov.uk – Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example – ‘Please re-open my application – 367652 & vacancy closing date 12/09/2024’
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 3 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, merit lists will be created for each location advertised within the vacancy. If you are successful at interview, you will be placed on the merit list for any locations you have expressed an interest for. Appointments from each merit list will be made in strict merit order.
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 Excellence Team via ubsrecruitmentexcellence@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.
Other Information : Flexibility Payment
This post attracts a Level 2 Flexibility Payment (FP) that is paid monthly with salary. This FP allows HMRC flexibility to change your work pattern, at short notice, to meet business needs.
You will be expected to undertake periods of ‘on call’. You will also be expected to work additional hours, at weekends and outside your normal working hours/days (including bank holidays).
In applying for a position and accepting the FP you agree that you can and will meet those attendance requirements.
FP levels are reviewed annually – on a business need and personal basis – and may be subject to change.
If you currently receive the Flexibility Payment which may include Transition Protection and/or a Maintained Pension Value, moving to a new role may affect your payments.
Note: Payment of FP is dependent on successful completion of role specific training (if required).
You will not receive Flexibility Payments until you have successfully completed Phase 4 of Foundation Training. This usually takes about six months from when you take up duty

• . You will then become eligible for Level 1a and expected to deliver the attendance required by this level.

You will receive payment a Level 1a until you successfully complete your Training and Assessment Period (TAP) at the end of Foundation Training. This usually takes about 18 to 24 months from when you take up duty
• . You will then become eligible for Level 2 (your Level 1a payments will stop) and expected to deliver the attendance required by this level.


• Timescales are estimates and not guaranteed. They will vary depending on course availability and when you are ready to complete your TAP. We will confirm your course dates when you take up duty.

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., 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.

+ Confident communicator with good verbal and written skills.
+ Resilient, dedicated, and flexible, prepared to deal with challenge and/or confrontation.
+ Good judgement, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
+ Inquisitive, open-minded, and objective, with attention to detail.
+ Committed, conscientious, self-motivated, and organised even when completing multiple tasks.
+ Good analytical, IT and digital skills.
+ Work with integrity, impartiality, and excellence.
If successful, you must undertake and pass HM Government Baseline Personnel Standard (BPSS) basic security checks to start. You must already have or be able to achieve Security Check clearance. You must consider that you may be asked to be put forward to obtain Developed Vetting.

Alongside your salary of £28,341, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £7,652 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 27% 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