Insolvency Service

Contents

• Location
• About the job
• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information

Manchester

About the job

Job summary

This is an interesting and exciting role within Investigation and Enforcement Services directorate to conduct investigations into live companies where complaints or intelligence suggests they may not be trading in the public interest.

You will be required to use your own initiative to progress investigations to a successful conclusion and the role will involve the need to conduct remote field work including unannounced visits to company premises.

Job description

Our Live Investigation Teams conduct confidential fact-finding enquiries into live companies using powers derived from Section 447 Companies Act 1985. Under these powers, Investigators are authorised by the Secretary of State to require the production of documents and information from a company and from third parties, as well as having the power to enter and remain on premises used in the company’s business.

Investigators are responsible for progressing their own case/s and the investigation process requires a range of initiative, interpersonal, problem solving and evidence-gathering skills including investigative interviewing, dealing with conflict, data gathering, analysis and legal interpretation.

A comprehensive and detailed factual report is drafted by the Investigator and once an enquiry is completed, our team considers the appropriate course of action which may include, taking no further action, bringing winding- up proceedings in the public interest against the company, making appropriate disclosures and, potentially, bringing disqualification proceedings against a named director or directors.

Responsibilities

The main duties of an Investigator in the Live Investigation team include:

• Managing and progressing a portfolio of complex investigations conducted using compulsory powers under Section 447 of the Companies Act 1985 in accordance with internal guidance and Government Counter Fraud Standards and with a view to gathering evidence to establish whether the activities of a company are being carried on in the public interest.
• Reviewing and researching available source information.
• Attending (unannounced) at company premises to serve and exercise the Section 447 authority, overcoming objections and using interpersonal skills to obtain cooperation from company representatives.
• Making contact with company directors or third parties (e.g. solicitors, accountants, customers, suppliers, banks, etc) who may be reluctant to engage.
• Undertaking investigative interviews with company directors and other third parties.
• Identifying relevant accounting and other documents and making formal requirements for timely production and ensuring compliance.
• Logging, reviewing, and analysing the documents and information produced during the investigation to identify wrongdoing, misconduct, or potential criminal offences.
• Making timely, clear, reasoned, and robust recommendations to managers to progress the case to the appropriate conclusion.
• Dealing appropriately with confidential and sensitive information, understanding that a strictly enforced disclosure regime exists in relation to Section 447 investigations, and understanding the impact of other legislation on the investigation, e.g. FOIA & GDPR.
• Drafting evidence-based reports on the findings of an investigation to a standard suitable for testing in both civil and criminal courts or capable of forming the foundation for further action by other regulators.
• Liaising professionally and expeditiously with legal professionals instructed on behalf of the Secretary of State and colleagues elsewhere in the Service.
• Providing primary evidence in relation to investigations by way of affidavit or witness statement and appearing at Court to give oral evidence on behalf of the Secretary of State.

Part-time applications are welcome and are subject to a 30 hours minimum requirement.

Person specification

The successful candidate will need to have the following qualities:

Essential Skills

• Experience in a comparable environment
• Ability to respond quickly, flexibly and effectively to tight deadlines, managing and prioritising competing caseloads and tasks
• Good attention to detail and skills to analyse complex data sets to produce meaningful and compelling information
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, written and verbal

Desirable Skills

• Knowledge of Companies Act investigations
• Experience of courtroom procedures and acting as a witness
• Relevant professional training and qualifications

Essential Criteria

ISIP - The Insolvency Service has a training programme, the Insolvency Service Investigator Programme (ISIP), which is based on workplace assessment and training. Applicants must complete the programme within the 2-year period allowed. Alternatively, where applicants have either completed an associated ISIP, such as an Insolvent Investigator programme (or are part way through such a programme), they must undertake the respective modules of the Live Investigator ISIP programme (in order to finalise their training). Completion of this programme is a condition of employment. This programme is a key part of the Insolvency Service’s commitment to the Government Counter Fraud Profession.

Qualifications

ISIP - Candidates must already hold this qualification at the time of application, or they must be willing to complete the training within a 2-year period. Completion of this programme is a condition of employment.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £38,454, Insolvency Service contributes £11,140 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

We want you to have a good work-life balance and want to support you in all that you do, so we offer a great benefits package including: 

• flexible working arrangements and flexi-time
• full time new entrants to the Civil Service and those Civil Servants on modernised terms and conditions will be entitled to 25 days leave increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service 
• in addition to this you are entitled to 8 public/bank holidays plus an additional day of privilege leave
• competitive maternity, paternity and parental leave
• 5 days paid leave for learning and development
• 5 days paid for volunteering
• a Cycle to work scheme
• staff have access to an employee assistance programme, Workplace Wellness, for confidential, independent support and advice during difficult times in either their professional or personal life

Your pension is a valuable part of your total reward package where the employer makes a significant contribution to the cost of your pension. Your contributions come out of your salary before any tax is taken. This means, if you pay tax, your take-home pay will not be reduced by the full amount of your contribution; and your pension will continue to provide valuable benefits for you and your family if you are too ill to continue to work or die before you retire. For more information, visit www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk 

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Damian King
• Email : Damian.King@insolvency.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : InsolvencyRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

A candidate can raise a complaint to the Insolvency Service by emailing the contact point for applicants (as listed on the vacancy advert), if they think that: They have been discriminated against under the Equality Act 2010 there have been procedural irregularities at any stage of the recruitment process All complaints must be received by the contact point for applicants within 24 hours from the date the applicant is advised of their non-success at sift, assessment or interview. Complaints will be considered by an independent third-party outside of recruitment campaign. The decision will be conveyed to the applicant, in writing, within 5 working days of receipt of the complaint. The recruitment process will usually be put on hold until the complaint has been resolved. Complaints may also be made to the Civil Service Commission at any time if the individual believes their application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment principles (appointment on merit through fair and open competition). However, complaints must first have been raised to the Insolvency Service

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