** Cover Officer Supervisor

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.

Immigration Enforcement is responsible for enforcing the governments immigration laws, tackling illegal migration, removing foreign national offenders and immigration offenders from the UK. We also aim to disrupt the organised criminal groups that exploit the vulnerable for their personal gain. Learn more on our careers pages.

Immigration Enforcement (IE) plays a critical role in tackling the criminality associated with organised immigration crime. Our Criminal and Financial Investigation (CFI) teams are at the forefront of this work, focusing on disrupting and dismantling organised crime groups that facilitate immigration abuse. This includes utilising specialist financial investigation capabilities to recover the proceeds of crime and remove criminal assets, ensuring that illegal activity is both challenged and deterred.

CFI operates as part of a multi-layered UK law enforcement approach. By working in close partnership with the National Crime Agency (NCA), territorial policing and other government departments and agencies, our teams take decisive action against individuals and networks who seek to profit from illegal migration.

Working in CFI is both challenging and rewarding. You will be part of a highly capable and collaborative team, where colleagues support and challenge one another, and where you will be encouraged to develop your skills, knowledge and experience in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

The Covert Projects Unit (CPU) is a specialist, nationally accredited undercover unit responsible for the management and oversight of all covert undercover activity across the Home Office in the United Kingdom.

CPU provides critical capability in the delivery of covert investigations, maintaining a cadre of fully trained and accredited Undercover Operatives and Cover Officers. The unit ensures that covert activity is conducted professionally, lawfully, and in line with strict governance frameworks, supporting the successful delivery of complex investigations.

The Cover Officer Supervisor will be responsible for the effective day-to-day staffing and management of the service. This includes line management, financial oversight, and ensuring appropriate support and wellbeing arrangements are in place for staff.

The postholder will provide strategic oversight, governance and operational supervision of undercover policing activities, ensuring all deployments are lawful, necessary, proportionate and compliant with relevant legislation, national guidance and professional standards.

The role is central to safeguarding the safety and wellbeing of undercover operatives. The Cover Officer Supervisor will also act as deputy to the Covert Operations Manager Undercover (COM-UC), and the successful candidate will be expected to work towards obtaining the A8 COM-UC qualification once in post.

Key Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include but arent limited to:

• Provide governance, accountability and day-to-day management of the operational undercover unit.
• Conduct, review and maintain dynamic risk assessments to support safe and effective operations.
• Maintain accurate and auditable records in line with relevant policy, legislation and operational requirements.
• Prepare role-related evidence, give evidence in court, and conduct operational briefings and debriefings.
• Oversee the application, review, update, renewal and cancellation processes in compliance with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and the Criminal Conduct Act 2021.
• Assess and manage risks associated with undercover operations, ensuring appropriate mitigations are in place.
• Manage disclosure requirements in accordance with the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act.
• Contribute to stakeholder engagement and partnership working to support effective operational delivery.

You may be required to undertake the same or a similar role within a different team or teams, where possible at your base location or within reasonable travel distance, depending on business priorities. With appropriate training and support, this will provide opportunities to broaden your experience and skill set.

Working Pattern

Due to business requirements, this role is offered on a full-time basis only.

Shift Working

Successful candidates will need to be able to attend for all shifts including early starts, late night finishes, and overnight shifts. These shifts may be outside of public transport operating hours.

Training

You will receive full training and support to do the job. You work as part of a team where there is always someone around for advice and support.

This role can be physically demanding and if successful you will be required to complete and pass specialist training including Personal Safety Training (PST) Level 3, which develops skills in personal safety, arrest and restraint techniques. This demands physical activity and physical contact with delegates on the course. You will be required to complete a PST health declaration and, if necessary, attend a medical examination. A formal offer will be conditional upon you being physically fit to undertake and pass the training.

Further information on what the training involves can be found on our website.

Essential Criteria

• Qualified Cover Officer, with the qualification gained through an accredited process such as the College of Policing training and assessment centre A3 CoP qualification.
• Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Human Rights Act, Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, Criminal Conduct Act, Data Protection Act, and Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act.
• Clear and effective communication skills, with the ability to convey information accurately and professionally.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage confidently and constructively with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.
• A proactive problem-solving mindset, with the ability to assess issues, identify options and support effective decision-making.