Job Description

Details

-----------

Reference number

416091

Salary

43,046 - 44,751
Dependent on successful completion of mandatory training. Officers who are fully trained and deployable in NCA firearms tactics, surveillance and advanced driver trained or Armed surveillance biker trained may be eligible for a pay uplift to 44,751.




This is a "Spot Rate" role on a grade of 3 to 4 achieved by evidence of skills and experiences with the top grade at 44,751.




This role currently attracts a Recruitment and Retention allowance of 3000 per annum. This is subject to annual review and is not guaranteed.




Roles based in London will receive an additional London Weighting (Annually) of


4040
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP

Job grade

Executive Officer
Constable

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

NCA - Investigations

Type of role

Investigation


Operational Delivery

Operational Research

Policing

Working pattern

Full-time, Job share

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

------------

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

Location

------------


Birmingham, Bristol, Calder (Wakefield), Gillingham, Slough, Tolworth (Kingston Upon Thames), Warrington

About the job

-----------------

Job summary

We are seeking to recruit experienced surveillance operatives and welcome applications from candidates who are;

Currently accredited Police advanced drivers Hold a College of Policing Q1/Q100 qualification (or recognised equivalent) Hold Professionalising Investigation Program (PIP) level 1 or level 2 (or a recognised qualification/accreditation to investigate crime issued by a Government body).

The role of an Authorised Firearms Officer in the NCA is to provide an armed and unarmed covert and overt response in accordance with business requirements that contribute towards the achievement of the Agency strategic objectives. Officers will be trained and deployed in various roles depending on agency need, these include but are not limited to; Unarmed Surveillance, MOE/Arrest capability, Taser support to surveillance and/or arrests, Armed Surveillance and Mobile Armed Support to Surveillance (MAStS).


This DD area incorporates our response to organised immigration crime (OIC), the Command's London-based multi-threat and borders teams, and the Special Operations Unit (SOU).

Job description

Operations and investigations -

Participate in operations and investigations, gathering information, intelligence and evidence in order to build knowledge of serious and organised crime and support the achievement of Agency objectives.

Deployment -

Deploy on unarmed operations including surveillance and arrest enquires in support of agency objectives. Deploy operationally as a Firearms Officer, Commander or Advisor in accordance with own training in support of Agency firearms operations including arrests, armed surveillance and MAStS.

Planning and implementation -

Provide advice on legislation, policy and tactical options to assist in the planning and implementation of investigations and operations.

Acquisition and development of intelligence -

To contribute to the acquisition and development of tactical and strategic intelligence focused on serious and organised crime affecting the UK.

Tactical and strategic support -

Ensure the quality, secure handling and dissemination of intelligence, maintaining confidentiality, sensitivity and duty of care in line with Agency policy.

Case management

- Role may require case management, and to create, maintain and update departmental records, including operational or programme activity spreadsheet, case files and monthly reports. Security and confidentiality - Ensure the quality, secure handling and dissemination of intelligence, maintaining confidentiality, sensitivity and duty of care in line with Agency policy.

Collaboration -

Build good working relationships with both internal and external partners.

Flexibility

- Have flexibility to assist with other agency priorities / investigations when required.

Public and Personal Safety Training (PPST)

- It is an essential requirement for successful candidates to pass an eight-day Public and Personal Safety Training (PPST). Applicants are urged to consider whether this is achievable prior to applying. The PPST combines cognitive input, armed and unarmed defence theory and practical techniques and, as such, requires a level of physical exertion due to the nature and repetition of the drills. The practical techniques include use of body weapons, movement and positioning, strikes (armed/unarmed) blocks, restraint and control. We will expect officers attending the course to have a standard of physical fitness. Progressive full body warm-ups are conducted each day to minimize risk of injury to the officer. It is expected that the officer is capable of a ground descent and ascent, unaided and within a reasonable timeframe. This is important both individually and in team tactics. Candidates must pass the PPST during the first 6 months of starting in the role. Failure to do so would mean you would not be able to continue in the role and your employment with the NCA will end. Barring any exceptional circumstances, the NCA would not seek to find you an alternative role within the agency. An officer who passes the PPST will still be required to successfully pass their 12-month probation period to ensure continued employment with the NCA.

Person specification

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Communication -

Good communication skills with the ability to listen, empathise, provide support and adapt language, form and message to meet the needs of different people and audiences.

Legislation -

Good understanding of UK or International legislation affecting NCA/Police Service Investigations.

Risk Management -

Good understanding of risk management in an operational environment.

Conflict management -

Proven experience of conflict management in an operational environment.

Covert working -

Proven experience in working in a covert environment.

Please Note:

Candidates must be able to evidence deployment on two surveillance operations in the preceding 6 months as per CoP requirements.

Candidates who are successful at the application stage of this process will be invited to a two-day assessment centre. This will be run by the firearms trainers and will include but is not limited to; a Surveillance assessment, National Decision Model scenarios, a fitness test (Level 7.6 beep test) and possibly some range shoots. Full details of the assessment process will be made available to successful candidates.

At this stage these are being planned for;

6th - 7th August 2025 and 27th -28th August 2025

Attempts are being made to secure venues so that one event is in the North and the other in the South of the country. Candidates that are unable to attend either event will be unable to proceed with the recruitment process. The dates and venues are to be confirmed and applicants will be updated. Any travel, subsistence or accommodation costs will be at the candidate's expense.

Candidates that are successful at the assessment centre will be invited to the final stage (excluding vetting, medicals etc) of the recruitment process which will be interviews on dates TBC September 2025.

Successful candidates must pass the NCA Specific Powers Exam (SPE) during their first 12 months of service (NCA probation period). Failure to pass the exam in two attempts may lead to probation not being confirmed and to termination of employment contract.


The post holder will be required to be part of an on call 24/7 rota. This may be subject to change and the frequency will be directed by your line manager. If you do perform on-call duties, where eligible, you will be entitled to an On-Call allowance for each session you are on-call (additional remuneration applicable to spot rate roles grades 6-4 and non-spot rate roles grades 6-3). The current expectation on operational firearms officers is approximately one week in four. On call days are not necessarily concurrent. (i.e. one week - Mon - Thurs, another week Fri - Sun).


Please note:


We have active vacancies and successful candidates will be added to a pipeline vacancy list.


The NCA places significant investment into the training of its Authorised Firearms Officers. As such, Lateral transfers will not be supported for the first 2 years post an officers completion of the Initial Tactics Course.

Licences

Currently accredited Police advanced drivers. To be evidenced by a Certificate

Qualifications

Holds a College of Policing Q1/Q100 qualification (or recognised equivalent).




Are Professionalising Investigation Program (PIP) level 1 or level 2 (or a recognised qualification/accreditation to investigate crime issued by a Government body).




All candidates will be subject to surveillance assessment and professional discussion. This will cover training undertaken and recent deployment experience to assess a candidate's compliance with College of Policing deployment criterion.




Officers joining the NCA on a PIP equivalent basis must attain the required PIP accreditation, and this will include taking all relevant exams and could include the requirement to complete an assessed portfolio of workplace-based evidence.




Full guidance and information can be found in the NCA applicant guidance attached to the advert on advertiser's site.

Behaviours

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


Working Together Changing and Improving

Technical skills

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


Good understanding of risk management in a covert operational environment. Good understanding of UK or international legislation affecting NCA/Police Service Investigations. Proven experience of conflict management in an operational environment. Experience in Improving culture within a team and measuring success.

Benefits

------------


Alongside your salary of 43,046, National Crime Agency contributes 12,470 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
All officers in the NCA are members of the UK Civil Service. You will be eligible for:

Civil Service pension scheme 26 days annual leave rising to 31 on completion of 5 years continuous service. If qualifying criteria is met new joiners to the NCA from UK Police Forces or UKIC will have service with those employers taken into account for continuous service purposes for Annual Leave entitlement only, this will be up to a maximum of 31 days leave (including 1 privilege day). Training and development opportunities Special leave Flexible working and family friendly policies Cycle to work scheme Blue Light scheme A range of sporting and other activities on offer We can provide flexible working arrangements if the role in question is suitable. This includes flexi-time, job sharing, and compressed hours (working contracted hours over a shorter period).

For further details on benefits please visit our benefits and support page.

Things you need to know

---------------------------

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
If you wish to apply for this vacancy, you must submit your application by 23/07/2025, 23:55.

Application Process

-----------------------


In your application you may be asked to provide a selection from among the following: A statement outlining your suitability for the role, Answer specific questions about behaviours, experience, and technical skills, Upload a copy of your CV. You will be asked to set out your career history, including relevant training and qualifications, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please provide reasons for any gaps in employment within the last two years. Please ensure that the dates of any accreditations you are relying on are entered. For further application guidance, please visit

https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/careers/applying-and-onboarding

Once submitted, receipt of your application will be acknowledged.

Sift Process

Candidates must pass this criteria for their application to be progressed.

CV

- Please upload your CV detailing required qualifications as detailed within this advert. Please also detail any relevant deployment information.

PLEASE NOTE YOUR CV WILL BE USED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND WILL NOT BE SCORED.

Technicals

in 250 words per technical demonstrate how to meet the below:

Good understanding of risk management in a covert operational environment. Proven experience of conflict management in an operational environment. Good understanding of UK or international legislation affecting NCA/Police Service Investigations. Experience in Improving culture within a team and measuring success.

Interview Details

Candidates who are successful at the application stage of this process will be invited to a two-day assessment centre. This will be run by the firearms trainers and will include but is not limited to; a Surveillance assessment, National Decision Model scenarios, a fitness test (Level 7.6 beep test) and possibly some range shoots. Full details of the assessment process will be made available to successful candidates.


Candidates who are successful at the assessment centre will then be invited to an interview assessing the below:

Technicals

Good understanding of risk management in a covert operational environment. Proven experience of conflict management in an operational environment. Good understanding of UK or international legislation affecting NCA/Police Service Investigations. Experience in Improving culture within a team and measuring success.

Behaviours

Working Together Changing and Improving

Interview Outcome

---------------------


In the event of a tie-break at interview, then the panel will use the lead criteria (behaviour/technical /experience) to determine merit order.

If the leading scores are still tied, the panel will then assess desirable criteria to determine merit order.

If scores are still tied following the review of desirable criteria, then the panel will revert to sift scores to determine merit order.Candidates will be alerted of the outcome of their interview via the Agency's recruitment portal.Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.If your application is successful and we are unable to offer you a post immediately, you will be invited to join our reserve list. If over the next 12 months we are able to offer you a position, we will contact you as soon as possible.Once we make you an offer you will then go through our vetting and pre-employment checks processes.

Full advert details for this vacancy can found on the advert on the NCA Recruitment Portal. Please follow the link to apply at advertisers' site.

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 .



See our vetting charter .
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) 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

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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 .
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 and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

---------------------------------


This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
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 : NCA Recruitment Team Email : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk
#

Recruitment team

Email : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint in relation to any stage of the recruitment and selection process please email central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk. please ensure that you refer to the campaign reference number. If you remain dissatisfied following the outcome of your complaint you have the right to contact the Civil Service Commission to pursue it further.


If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission.