Job Introduction
Our Operational Directorate are at the heart of delivering our main organisational goal of conducting robust and fair investigations into the policing system. The varied investigative work of our Operational Directorate is often high-profile and rewarding, whilst allowing for many career progression opportunities throughout the Directorate who are ready to support you on your career journey.
The Directorate of Major Investigations (DMI) provides organisational capability and capacity to deliver large scale, resource-intensive investigations, that are generally complex and high-profile including investigations of national significance. The DMI invariably take on low-volume/high-impact investigations, however, volume is increasing. These investigations require significant levels of resource in order to deliver timeliness and effectiveness. Over time the DMI’s caseload has grown substantially. The level of resource required to deliver investigation activity, combined with the complexity and size of the investigation will determine the types of investigations that are allocated to DMI for delivery. The DMI will also take on investigations as directed by our organisational priorities, for example, thematic areas such as Child Sexual Abuse (CSA).
The purpose of the role of Digital Investigation Specialist (DIS) is to work as part of a national dedicated digital team, using their digital expertise to enhance IOPC investigations, providing advice and guidance to Investigations colleagues on the collection, review, and presentation of digital evidence.
The DIS will provide technical expertise on cyber-digital investigation issues encountered by Lead Investigators during IOPC investigations, coordinate digital submissions to external forensic suppliers, and where appropriate to conduct digital review of devices and associated download material to produce evidential material for use in proceedings
The DIS will also support the DIU Manager, within the agreed sign off structure within DMI in strategic initiatives, to achieve operational objectives.
We'll assess you against these Level 2 behaviours during the selection process:
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Developing self and others
- 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 four sift questions based on the essential criteria.
This vacancy may close early if a high volume of applications are received
Main Responsibility
- Support the end-to-end investigative process by identifying digital opportunities, recovering evidence, managing forensic submissions, reviewing key evidence, and producing investigative material to deliver against lines of enquiry.
- Provide expertise internally surrounding cyber-digital evidence in IOPC investigations, managing risk and maximising opportunities.
- Assess and report on threat, harm and risk posed to IOPC investigations nationally through changes in technology, legislation, policies, or patterns in offending. Work collaboratively with the strategic lead to ensure continuous improvement and IOPC effectiveness in cyber-digital capabilities.
- Take ownership for identifying and delivering learning and development opportunities for enhancing IOPC digital capabilities.
- Build and maintain appropriate professional relationships with relevant stakeholders to ensure that IOPC understanding of relevant legislation and policy remains current.
- Contribute to policy/process development to reflect emerging changes in legislation, technology, codes of practise and guidance.
- Work collaboratively to promote innovation and improvements to quality and standards, to achieve and maintain investigative excellence.
- Engage with external stakeholders to provide advice and explanation of digital investigation techniques, evidence, products, and policy.
- Quality assure the management of digital material throughout its lifecycle to ensure the organisational process has integrity.
- Attend proceedings and provide evidence, (including expert testimony if qualified and authorised when required.)
- Deliver a high-quality, efficient, and cost-effective service to investigations with a significant digital element – offering technically sound, evidence-based advice and challenge, including to senior staff.
- Provide operational advice on cyber-digital lines of enquiry, managing risk and maximising opportunities.
- Deliver a specialist operational capability at incident scenes, taking ownership to preserve and recover digital evidence in accordance with national standards and good practice.
- Recover, present, and utilise cyber-digital evidence during investigations in accordance with policy and national good practice.
- Produce reports and statements in relation to specialised, technical digital lines of enquiry and explain these findings in proceedings when required.
- Act as a single point of contact for the IOPC to plan, manage and process digital forensic submissions with external suppliers.
- Utilise specialist forensic software to extract and review key evidence, delivering against lines of enquiry.
- Ensure that digital material obtained by the IOPC is stored and managed in line with IOPC policy and security standards.
- Identify and report on threats and opportunities to the IOPC’s cyber-digital investigation capability.
- Take responsibility for developing and maintaining knowledge of technological, legislative, social, and political developments in your business area
- Assist the DIU manager to support the knowledge and development of IOPC staff at all levels in the cyber-digital arena.
- Undertake proactive research into the latest hardware and software products, techniques, and good practice available, including applications, and assess how they may support IOPC investigations and make recommendations.
- Undertake specialist training and accreditation in line with the technical requirements of the role.
- Promote the effective use of digital technology in the police complaints system, supporting learning recommendations and organisational policy.
- Assist the Operations Directorate in achieving its key deliverables.
The Ideal Candidate
Essential
- Investigative experience and to hold relevant IOPC accreditation or an equivalent investigative accreditation.
- Driving licence valid for driving in England & Wales.
Experience
- Evidence of effective oral and written communication skills, including report writing.
- Delivering a high standard of work within demanding timescales.
- Identification of operational and organisational risk.
- Working effectively in a changing environment.
- Stakeholder negotiation and influencing.
- Experience processing digital evidence in accordance with relevant policy and guidance.
Skills and Abilities
- Ability to show initiative and adapt in a changing environment.
- Ability to recognise the development needs of yourself and be proactive in addressing them.
- Ability to prioritise and manage tasks effectively to deliver quality outcomes within demanding timescales.
- Ability to work effectively in a team with diverse ideas and people.
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and adapt communication styles as appropriate.
- Ability to analyse complex information, identify the key issues and make recommendations.
- Ability to identify and respond to the diverse needs of individual and stakeholder groups.
Technical Competence
- Ability to use specialist software relating to cyber-digital investigations to extract, analyse and report on data.
- Have knowledge and understanding of the law and procedure in connection with the following areas:
- Digital Forensics
- Network investigations
- Digital exploitation
- Wi-Fi Opportunities
- Open-source research
- Communications data
- ANPR
- CCTV
- Key legislative knowledge of:
- PACE
- CPIA including PII
- ECHR
- Data Protection
- IP act 2016
- RIPA 2000 Part 3
Successful candidates will need to complete relevant training and work towards a recognised accreditation such as ICDIP.
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, from extra time to formatting changes, to name a mere few. If you require any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process, please email humanresources@policeconduct.gov.uk
Package Description
- 27.5 days paid annual leave (increasing with service to 32.5 days)
- Options to carry over, buy or sell annual leave
- Civil Service pension
- PAM employee assistance programme
- Access to Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC) membership
- Staff networks focused on each of the protected characteristics – run for staff, by staff
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity behaviours
Additional Information:
The IOPC is not eligible to participate in the Civil Service transfer process, therefore successful candidates will not be able to transfer to the IOPC on their existing terms and conditions.
Any move to 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
The IOPC does not participate in the UK Visa Sponsorship Scheme therefore, candidates will have to provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK if offered a role with us.
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, therefore a standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be carried out for the successful candidate during the pre-employment process.
About the Company
As a completely independent organisation, the IOPC seeks to uphold the rights of the public and investigate the most serious matters, including deaths following police contact, to promote learning and influence change in policing. The IOPC is an organisation steeped in history, influenced by significant figures such as Stephen Lawrence and Sir William Macpherson. We are looking for people to uphold our core values, and in return we will give you a supportive and inclusive work environment to flourish in.
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.
- As a silver standard Stonewall employer, we continue to commit to being a LGBTQ+ employer through the work of our Pride LGBTQ+ Staff Network, creating welcoming environments for lesbian, gay, bi and queer people.
- 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 dedicated 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 Operation Hotton, 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.
