Trainee Investigator

Inquisitive mind? Do you want to make a difference and be involved in the investigation of some of the UK’s most serious and complex fraud and corruption cases at our Central London office?
If the answer is yes look no further, as the SFO's Trainee Investigator programme may be just for you. Every trainee’s experience on the programme is unique; you will be given the freedom to grow as an investigator whilst developing a broad range of skills.
The Serious Fraud Office investigates and prosecutes the most difficult Fraud and Corruption cases; no case is too big or complex to be tackled. The SFO invites you to apply for the opportunity to investigate serious economic crime and contribute to the government’s anti-crime agenda and enhance the UK’s reputation as a safe place to do business.
You do not need any previous investigative experience – what’s important to us is that you have the talent and aptitude to be an investigator and as a civil servant you will be expected to demonstrate the highest ethical standards in your professional and personal life. Initially you will learn what we do and, importantly, how we investigate. In partnership with the College of Policing, the SFO provides a comprehensive investigation training programme and you will work with, and be supported by professional investigators, lawyers and accountants.
We offer a clear career pathway starting with the training programme which will last up to 2 years and following successful completion of which you will join one of our Operational Case Divisions as an Investigator, You will be based in central London in a mainly office based role. However, the nature of investigation work will mean you are required to work away from the office from time to time but this will always be with a reasonable notice period. The SFO welcomes applications from people who wish to work alternative or hybrid working patterns although all staff must understand that high levels of personal commitment are needed to ensure the requirements of the role are met. This includes a requirement to be available to attend the office between 9-5pm for up to 6 weeks to undertake internal training during the course of the Programme., Our investigators evaluate large volumes of material in detail and our Trainees will be mentored to undertake a range of tasks including:
+ Taking an active part in the investigation of serious fraud or bribery, including developing lines of enquiry, gathering evidence.
+ Preparing notices under Section 2 CJA 1987, POCA legislation and RIPA, for example to require individuals and companies to produce documents or answer questions.
+ Participating in searches of business and residential premises working in conjunction with the police and/ or wider law enforcement community.
+ Reviewing large quantities of material to identify relevant information and progress lines of enquiry.
+ Analysing financial records in order to identify relevant information and evidential material, along with understanding and interpreting the analysis in order to ask the right questions and present your findings.
+ Planning and conducting interviews of victims, ordinary and professional witnesses and obtaining written statements on matters relevant to the investigation and planning and conducting the interviews of suspects.
+ Attending and making appropriate contributions to case conferences to ensure the team is updated on relevant case information and has input into active lines of inquiry.
+ Contributing to the disclosure process in order to satisfy the obligations of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act (1996). Assist in the construction of event and decision logs.
+ You may be required to give evidence in support of SFO cases on the basis of work undertaken

Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Making Effective Decisions
+ Delivering at Pace
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Working Together
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
+ Delivering at Pace

Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
+ Proficiency in analysing and interpreting numerical data (e.g. bank statements)., This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability, Experience and Technical skills.
The Selection Process is in two stages:
Stage One:
You will need to complete the initial “short” application form to register your interest in applying for the role.
You will then be invited to complete the two online assessments; one numerical and one verbal.
If you pass both online assessments you will be invited to complete the rest of the application form. In this section you will be asked to:
1. Provide a 250 word example of how you meet the technical criteria “proficient at analysing and interpreting numerical data (e.g. bank statements)”
2. Provide a 250 word example of how you meet the key behaviour for the role at the required level, Delivering at Pace.
3. Respond to an additional question of up to 500 words about your experience.
The technical and behaviour examples will be the ‘lead’ criteria for the role and only candidates who meet the required standard for these will have their additional experience question assessed.
Stage Two:
Candidates who are successful at Stage One will be invited to attend an interview. At present it is anticipated these will be carried out by video-conferencing but further details will be made available to successful applicants in their invitation.
You will be asked questions that assess three behaviours;
• Making Effective Decisions,
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
These questions will explore specific examples of when you have demonstrated these behaviours. You will also be asked strength based questions; an explanation of strengths is provided on page 8 of the attached candidate pack.
For more information on the selection process, and an indicative timetable, please refer to the Candidate Pack attached to this advert.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
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).

Successful completion of the Training Programme will mean promotion to a Band D Investigator role in one of our Operational Divisions.

Alongside your salary of £28,506, Serious Fraud Office contributes £8,258 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Option to join the Civil Service pension scheme. For further details, click here http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/pensions
Generous annual leave provision of 25 days which increases to 30 days after five years’ service plus an additional day in recognition of the Queen’s Birthday and the option to buy or sell up to five days’ leave per year. Different terms may apply if you are already a Civil Servant.
Discretionary performance-related bonus scheme.
Interest-free season travel ticket, bicycle loan and cycle to work scheme.
Access to the Rental Deposit Salary Advance Scheme which assists employees in meeting the costs of deposits for privately rented homes.
Opportunities for learning and development.
Flexible working arrangements and family-friendly policies.
Voucher for eyecare and discounted spectacles.
Access to a range of discounts through membership of the Civil Service Sports and Social Club, CSSC Sports and Leisure. http://www.cssc.co.uk/
Maternity and paternity leave provision over and above the statutory entitlements.
Access to My CPS Rewards Gateway. My CPS Rewards offers staff a range of rewards and savings including:
• Discounts with high street retailers
• Savings on grocery shopping at a range of supermarkets
• Special salary sacrifice and recognition schemes
• Reloadable gift cards and e-cards
• Instant vouchers
Any move to the Serious Fraud Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk