Criminal Investigator, South Region

The Insolvency Service is a leading government agency which plays a crucial role in providing essential services to the public and to business. The work we do is important to the proper functioning of markets, the economy in general and support for thousands of people each year who are in financial difficulty.

Investigation Services, within the Insolvency Services Enforcement Group, delivers civil and criminal enforcement activities that supports fair and open markets, maintains confidence in the company and insolvency regimes, and helps reduce the harm caused by fraudulent activity.

Inclusive and diverse teams are important to us. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups underrepresented in our workforce. The Insolvency Service strives to ensure that the agency is a safe, inclusive, and welcoming place for everybody to bring their true self to work and to help the agency to achieve its diversity objectives. We have 9 active employee network groups available to join or become an ally, these include, Carers Network, Disability network group, Employee Assistance, Representatives, FACES Network Group, LGBT+, Mind Matters, Part Time Workers, The Shed - Mens Network Group and Womens Network Group.

We offer full-time, part-time, job share and flexible ways of working. We value capability, technical skills and experience and we place great emphasis on lifetime development to support our people. We encourage our employees to become more involved in areas they feel strongly about, whether it be for the benefit of the agency, through our Engagement network or in their own local communities via volunteering opportunities.

The Insolvency Service is a great place to work, learn and grow your career!

The Criminal Investigation Team is responsible for conducting criminal investigations into insolvency and corporate related criminal offences which support the Agencys objective to tackle financial wrongdoing. The team works closely with civil investigation teams, our Legal Services Directorate internally, and other Law Enforcement partner organisations to ensure that we fulfil our role in delivering Governmental strategies. We strive to target offences under the Companies House Reform Legislation along with others including misuse of government backed Covid recovery funds.

We are recruiting criminal investigators for the Criminal Investigation Team South who will play a key role in the team, carrying out criminal investigations mainly under the Insolvency Act 1986, Companies Act 2006, Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986, Fraud Act 2006, Theft Act 1968 and Economic Crime and Transparency Act 2023. Reporting to the Investigation Manager and the Chief Investigator.

The role will be based in in Stratford, Croydon or Ipswich. Regular attendance will be required in the selected office in accordance with the hybrid working model of 60% office attendance. Regular travel to obtain witness statements and to interview suspects will be required in addition to meetings with stakeholders and other regulators. Occasional overnight stays may be required. The jobholder will be required to be flexible regarding the length and timing of the working day to meet the demands of the business. Occasional evening/weekend work may be necessary to be worked in compliance with the European Working Time Directive.

Responsibilities

The main duties of the role are to:

• investigate a range of criminal offences including complex fraud, bankruptcy, insolvency and Covid related offences
• obtain detailed statements from witnesses in accordance with provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1967, Magistrates Court Act 1980 and the Criminal Justice Acts of 1988 and 2003
• interview persons suspected of offences under the provisions of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE)
• prepare case files with detailed evidence-based reports on the findings of investigations, in accordance with the management of disclosure material under the Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act 1996 (CPIA) these will be to a high standard suitable for testing in Criminal Courts, often to tight timescales
• work closely with line management to effectively manage your caseload, reviewing the progress of cases, maintaining quality and meeting legislative demands
• ensure quality in the preparation of cases, leading to criminal proceedings or disclosure to other regulators
• work closely with the Agencys prosecution and advisory lawyers and counsel
• take the lead and drive follow up actions arising from criminal cases
• contribute to discussion with lawyers and counsel, being a witness in appropriate cases and attending court as a witness/disclosure officer
• work closely with other investigation/prosecution/enforcement disciplinary agencies and stakeholders to ensure enforcement action is progressed appropriately and promptly, ensuring value for money
• contribute to the performance of the team and the achievement of the team targets by embedding continuous improvement activity, as well as maintaining investigation standards

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

• a proven, extensive, and demonstrable criminal/fraud investigation background, which ideally should have been gained within a Government Department Agency, Police Service, or similar organisation
• that they are team player with excellent communication skills, used to working in partnership with fellow law enforcement professionals and colleagues
• excellent analytical skills
• membership of the Government Counter Fraud Programme, or willingness to join
• a demonstrable knowledge of the rules of criminal evidence including CPIA, PACE, Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RPIA) is essential, together with a working knowledge of Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA)
• the ability to plan operations and initiatives, ability to prioritise cases against competing procedures and deadlines
• a calm, authoritative and adaptable approach. Keen problem-solving skills, flexibility and drive
• knowledge of legislation affecting bankruptcy and companies

Essential Criteria

The successful candidate must have:

• relevant experience of investigating criminal/fraud investigations
• a full UK driving licence (own vehicle is desirable)

Further Information

The role requires the successful candidate to have, or to attain, National Security Vetting, at SC clearance level; current holders of SC (or above) can transfer their clearance across. The Insolvency Service will commence SC for those who require it as part of the onboarding process.

The successful candidates will be required to meet nationality and residency requirements so that National Security Vetting (NSV) checks can be conducted. If you want to learn more, visit United Kingdom Security Vetting: Applicant - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)