Job Introduction

Job Introduction:

The Independent Office for Police Conduct exists to investigate complaints fairly and thoroughly. The IOPC has the power to initiate, carry out and oversee investigations. It is also responsible for monitoring the way complaints are handled by local police forces.

As Customer Contact Centre Advisor within the IOPC you can expect to work in a progressive and dynamic organisation with declared and strong core values. The work will be fulfilling and offer considerable opportunities for personal growth and satisfaction.

As a Customer Contact Centre Advisor, you will be welcomed into a dynamic and inclusive customer focused team working representing the IOPC as the first point of contact to the organisation, presenting a professional image providing accurate advice and information to a range of external customers and stakeholders. The IOPC

is on a journey to develop its culture, perspectives and ethos to support the organisation’s core outcomes and this is your opportunity to enter into the varied world of IOPC customer service, allowing you to develop your mindset and approaches to contribute to improving the police complaints system in England and Wales.

Working as part of the Customer Contact Centre you will have a spectrum of responsibilities that encompass all elements of the contact centre. This will include providing a responsive telephone information service, responding to correspondence and complaints received from a range of external parties, including members of the public, police forces, MPs, solicitors and other agencies.

You will be expected to support the delivery of excellent customer service, providing the best possible experience with the approach of ‘getting it right first time’ to manage customer expectation and to reduce avoidable contact. The complexity of enquiry or complaint will vary as will the demand of work at any one time. You will work within a defined framework and fulfil individual targets to maximise contribution to team and directorate performance.

We'll assess you against these Executive Officer (EO) Level behaviours during the selection process:

Communicating and Influencing
Managing a Quality Service

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, to find out more, please click here.

Throughout the recruitment process we will also assess your Experience, Strengths, Technical Skills and Values.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete 4 Sift Questions based on the essential criteria.

If successful following sift, you will be invited to attend a 2 stage process, including a written assessment and a Success Profiles interview. Anticipated assessment and interview dates are estimated to take place W/C 16 + 23 March 2026.

Main Responsibility

Provide a responsive service to a range of customer queries and complaints ensuring prompt resolution of issues received by phone/email/letter/online form.
Process direct complaints received from members of the public to the appropriate police force or authority with minimal handling and representation.
Be alert to and identify high profile matters and matters of public interest, and direct complaints that it may be appropriate not to forward to the force because of exceptional circumstances, and draw these to the attention of the Customer Contact Centre Manager.
Establish customer needs and provide appropriate information - which may range from advising on the role of the IOPC, the process for making a complaint or appeal to more general requests for information or signposting to other agencies
Respond to comebacks, complaints, MPs’ letters and other correspondence.
Take ownership of calls, queries and complaints, seeking to resolve issues to reduce subsequent contact providing the best possible experience for the customer

Please refer to the Job Description for full role responsibilities.

The Ideal Candidate

The Ideal Candidate:

Essential

Evidence of strong oral and written communication skills
Confidence and ability to communicate with people at all levels
Ability to be patient, resilient, sensitive and diplomatic when dealing with the public and stakeholders
A capacity to conduct enquiries, obtain information and to use sound judgement to reach conclusions

Experience

Proven relevant experience of working in a customer focused advice or information handling environment
Experience of dealing with challenging people over the phone
Experience of responding to customer queries and complaints in writing

Skills and Abilities

Good organisational skills and ability to manage own workload
Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and database systems

We believe that diverse perspectives contribute to a more innovative and dynamic workplace. We actively encourage applications from individuals who are typically under-represented or disadvantaged in society. This includes women, people from ethnically diverse backgrounds, parents and carers, and disabled candidates, including neurodiverse candidates.

We are committed to providing equal opportunities for all applicants and creating an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued and supported.

The role requires standard DBS clearance.

National security vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Reasonable Adjustments:

The IOPC is a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we want to help you demonstrate your full potential whatever type of assessment is used. We are open to providing you with the tools you need to succeed. Whilst this list is not exhaustive, please see potential reasonable adjustments below that we can provide:

Extra time for presentations or interview questions
Formatting changes such as colours for text or background on written assignments
Questions presented in writing during interviews

If you require any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process, please email recruitment@policeconduct.gov.uk

Package Description

What we Offer:

27.5 days paid annual leave (increasing with service to 32.5 days)
Options to carry over, buy or sell annual leave
Voluntary Health Cash Plan provided by BHSF
Civil Service pension
Civil Service maternity leave package
PAM employee assistance programme
Access to Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC) membership
Cycle to work scheme
Opportunity to enjoy the latest home and electronics in a more affordable way provided by Vivup
Car Leasing Scheme
Staff Networks focussed on each of the protected characteristics - run for staff, by staff: Enable Network, Age Network, Welsh Network, Pride and LGBTQ+ Network, Sex and Family Network, Race, Religion and Belief Network
Learning and development tailored to your role.
An environment with flexible working options
A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

Additional Information:

Any move to the Independent Office for Police Conduct from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may, however, be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Although we are currently unable to guarantee a longer or more permanent contract, if the role can be extended or made permanent, the successful post holder may be offered the role first without further interview.

In line with the IOPC recruitment and Selection Policy, we recommend that the internal colleagues make an early application within the first seven days, so that we can see if there is enough interest within the organisation to keep the role internal for the full advert live period. We will review the number of applications after the first seven days and the role may be advertised externally after this period. Please see the Recruitment and Selection Policy Guidance, which is available on the Hub, for further information.

Emotional Consideration:

In performing this role, you [may/will] have [regular/occasional] exposure to distressing material which will likely be impactful, traumatic and challenging. Given the nature of the work, [it is also possible that] you will have contact with individuals who are experiencing extreme distress. The IOPC recognises this and offers all staff a range of wellbeing provisions, including TRiM (Trauma Risk Management), peer-to-peer support, a dedicated Wellbeing Advisor, and access to free confidential counselling. All staff are strongly encouraged to proactively access and engage with the support available. If you would like to speak about this element of the role with somebody already doing similar work at the IOPC please contact recruitment@policeconduct.gov.uk and this can be arranged.

Rydym yn croesawu ymgeiswyr i ymgeisio am rolau trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg fel eu dewis iaith.

#IND

About the Company

Be yourself:

The IOPC is committed to promoting equality and valuing diversity in everything we do. Our vision is to be, and to be seen as, a leader in inclusive employment and services, demonstrating this ethos in everything that we do.

We are pleased to share that we are a signatory of the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. The Charter is composed of five calls to action for leaders and organisations across all sectors.
Being a Disability Confident employer, the IOPC is dedicating to removing the barriers for disabled people to thrive in the workplace.
Our Staff Networks are constantly working to make the IOPC the leaders of inclusive employment, from our Allyship Programme to Welsh Language Standards and our Know the Line Policy, we are constantly seeking new ways to create an environment for all to develop and thrive.

Apply