Higher Investigation Officer - FIS Strategic Exports and Sanctions Enforcement

HM Revenue and Customs

Education
Benefits
Special Commitments

Contents

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

Manchester

About the job

Job summary

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Strategic Exports & Sanctions Enforcement Team (SE&SE) sits within HMRC’s wider Fraud Investigation Service (FIS) responsible for the department’s criminal investigation work.

SE&SE is responsible for the enforcement of UK export controls and trade sanctions. The export and trade in goods and certain services is controlled by a combination of UK legislation and UN sanctions.

SE&SE work with other UK authorities to develop our capabilities in detecting and countering international export controls and sanctions infringements.

SE&SE utilise a range of technical capabilities, intelligence tools and investigative work to detect, mitigate and investigate a wide range of suspected breaches, delivering HMRC’s contribution to the effective enforcement of the UK’s export licensing control, counter proliferation activity and sanction regimes.

Our operational teams conduct criminal investigations into alleged breaches of export controls and sanctions with a view to reporting cases to the Crown Prosecution Service (or other UK equivalents) or Customs Policy for consideration of prosecution or settlement by way of compound penalty.

Our operation teams, along with Customs Policy are responsible for supporting DBT to develop OTSI’s structure and operating models. Establishing new ways of working to ensure a cohesive and enduring collaboration, building strong relations through effective communication and management between HMRC and DBT. 

Our intelligence teams are responsible for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of intelligence to create disruption opportunities to prevent the export of controlled goods and operational packages for our operational teams.

Our intelligence teams are also responsible, together with Customs Policy for managing HMRC’s external counter proliferation relations, including the National Crime Agency and the licencing authority (Department for Business and Trade).

As part of our Counter Proliferation work SE&SE work in tandem with Border Force Counter Proliferation Team (CPT).

Job description

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. 

Strategic Exports & Sanctions Enforcement (SE&SE) undertakes a preliminary assessment into all credible intelligence / allegations of breaches of UK’s export licensing control, counter proliferation activity and sanction regimes. 

SE&SE has a range of enforcement options available such as education, warning letters, issuing compound settlements, seizures / disruptions and in the most serious of cases, referral to the Crown Prosecution Service or other relevant prosecuting body for consideration for prosecution.

As a Higher Investigation Officer (HIO) engaged in the enforcement of UK export controls and trade sanctions and Counter Proliferation duties within SE&SE you will be responsible for the delivery of complex criminal investigations, identifying the appropriate disposal method to generate deterrent impact. Often in untested legislation with significant scrutiny both from within HMRC and externally. 

You will be leading and managing case teams and officers who are either new to SE&SE or new to HMRC. As well as undertaking the role of Practical Training Officer you will also be required to act as assessing officer for trainees during deployments. 

The successful applicant must be able to inspire our people to keep them motivated and engaged to deliver stretching targets in an often-challenging environment. 

The role will require the successful candidate to work collaboratively to define priorities, drive delivery and influence portfolio activity. 

You will interact with a wide number of internal and external stakeholders including the Department for Business and Trade, Border Force, Police, National Crime Agency, Solicitors, Crown Prosecutors and colleagues from Other Government Departments and Agencies, both in the UK and international partners engaged in Export Controls, Sanctions, and Counter Proliferation work. 

The team has expanded significantly over the past 2 years in response to the increased workload. You will work across a geographically dispersed team, Croydon, Manchester and Stratford and regular travel may be expected, with occasional overnight stays. 

As part of our Counter Proliferation work SE&SE work in tandem with Border Force Counter Proliferation Team (CPT). SE&SE attend shifts to work alongside our CPT colleagues to enhance mutual understanding of the roles we each play in enforcing HMG’s policies regarding Export Control and Sanctions. 

Person specification

  • Provide strong, visible leadership both as a line manager and as a Practical Training Officer. Supporting your team to develop, monitoring performance, and providing challenge as necessary. 
  • Role model resilience, being alive to the wellbeing of others, thinking quickly and / or innovatively in potentially hostile situations.
  • Role model inquisitive, open-minded, and objective investigative skills, always paying attention to detail. Display good analytical, IT and digital skills.
  • 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.
  • Lead operational activities such as search of premises, seizure of goods and detention of goods. Dynamically apply laws, always adhering to legislation and policy.
  • 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.
  • Undertake the role of lead Disclosure Officer / 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.
  • Attend court to give evidence and/or act as disclosure officer in criminal prosecutions and/or financial recovery hearings.
  • Undertake monthly assurances both of FCMS and monthly sensitive case reports. 
  • Identify outcomes that meet disruptions criteria and assure the reports to the Disruptions Board.

Essential Criteria: 

  • This role requires recent experience (current knowledge) of conducting criminal investigations and a thorough knowledge of 

You must hold one of the following HMRC accredited or an equivalent Criminal Justice qualifications: 

  • Level 4 Diploma – Accredited Counter-Fraud Specialist/Officer, or Level 4 Diploma – Accredited Counter-Fraud Manager. 
  • BTEC Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Enforcement (Investigation). 
  • Professional Investigation Programme (PIP 2) 

(Candidates not holding a relevant qualification will not progress to the sifting stage) 

  • Candidates must have experience of conducting criminal investigations, including a working knowledge of Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 for posts in England and Wales
  • You will have a demonstrable knowledge of case management systems (Fraud Case Management or similar) 
  • Excellent leadership and communication skills, ability to manage workload efficiently and delegate and proactively progress investigations. 
  • Collaborative, working with others to achieve common goals and an appreciation of different styles of working to ensure mutual respect. 
  • Good analytical, IT and digital skills. 

Desirable Criteria: 

  • Previous experience of Export Control or Sanctions Enforcement. 
  • Experience of undertaking the role of Disclosure Officer or Deputy Disclosure officer. 

Qualifications

  • Level 4 Diploma – Accredited Counter-Fraud Specialist/Officer, or Level 4 Diploma – Accredited Counter-Fraud Manager.
  • BTEC Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Enforcement (Investigation).
  • Professional Investigation Programme (PIP 2)

Behaviours

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

  • Leadership
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £36,320, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £10,521 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 as 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 28.97% 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

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 : Stephanie Husk
  • Email : stephanie.husk1@hmrc.gov.uk
  • Telephone : 03000 551170

Recruitment team

  • Email : unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk

Further information

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.

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Confirmed 30+ days ago. Posted 30+ days ago.

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