Higher Investigation Officer Strategic Exports and Sanctions

Location

Stratford, Greater London | United Kingdom

Job description

Job description

Within FIS sits the Strategic Exports and Sanctions Enforcement Team who are responsible for enforcing export licences concerning military, dual-use goods, and counter proliferation (CP) activity. We are also responsible for enforcement of Sanctions, including Russian Sanctions.

The work of the team is complex, interesting, and rewarding. FIS Strategic Export & Sanctions Enforcement Team fulfils the principal export control enforcement function on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade, the UK Export Licensing Authority.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the FIS Strategic Export & Sanctions Enforcement Team. You will be working closely with 60+ individuals based in Stratford, Croydon, and Manchester Regional Centres. The role of this joint team is to detect breaches of UK export controls, other counterproliferation (CP) legislation, including trade sanctions, and take appropriate enforcement action to promote compliance within the UK exporter community. This will include disrupting illicit attempts to procure strategic goods from the UK and where appropriate reporting cases to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for consideration of criminal proceedings. The team are growing this year to deliver against the UKs commitment to deliver increased compliance and enforcement of the measures aimed at denying Russia the benefits of G7 economies. 

The team are responsible for the criminal enforcement of imported/exported sanctioned goods, along with new Trade Services sanctions including management consulting, accounting, public relations, IT consultancy (including the design of IT systems and software applications), architectural services, engineering, advertising, auditing, Internet and monitoring services. 

Sanctions enforcement is one of the primary focuses for the team and is part of a X-Whitehall approach. The workload has significantly increased over recent years due to a raft of new sanctions legislation being introduced. The team is growing to meet the demands of the increased workload. 

As a Higher Investigation officer, you will be responsible for the delivery of complex criminal investigations that generate deterrent impact. Developing your people, increasing engagement & deploying resources in the right place at the right time to deliver against stretching targets are key to success in the role. You will have excellent communication skills. Working closely with HMG partners engaged in Counter Proliferation work at an operational level and represent HMRC at Counter Proliferation related cross Government meetings. You will interact with a wide number of internal and external stakeholders including the Department for Business and Trade, Border Force, Police, National Crime Agency, Solicitors, Crown Prosecutors and colleagues from Other Government Departments and Agencies engaged in counter proliferation work.

As a Higher Investigation Officer (HIO) engaged on Counter Proliferation duties within Strategic Exports and Sanctions Enforcement you will be expected to:

• HO Criminal Investigators may be asked to take on the role of a front-line manager (FLM), Practical Training Officer (PTO), Disclosure Officer or Case Worker. 
• Responsible for the direction and focus of criminal investigations and or intelligence development work undertaken by the case team. Be accountable for decisions and activities undertaken during investigations. Decisions will be subject to scrutiny and inspection by Senior Investigation Officers, the Court System, and external authorities.
• Use powers granted to HMRC under a range of legislation to manage casework and resources in order to deliver criminal investigations in line with targets and business priorities.
• Undertake a wide range of desk-based duties, including the analysis of material, preparation of written material and official documents, including Search Warrants and Production Order applications. Compiling high quality case reports and evidential bundles for submission to the relevant prosecutor.
• Undertake the role of lead Disclosure Officer / Reviewing Officer in relation to reviewing and revealing material, created, or obtained during an investigation, to the prosecutor in line with legislation.
• Lead operational activities such as search of premises, seizure of goods and detention of goods. Dynamically apply laws, always adhering to legislation and policy. Lead briefing and de-briefing activities to identify improvements and best practice, sharing that knowledge appropriately.
• Attend court to give evidence and/or act as disclosure officer in criminal prosecutions and/or financial recovery hearings. 
• This role can, at times be physically demanding and applicants are required to have an appropriate level of fitness in order to obtain an occupational health fitness certificate and pass Level 3 officer safety training (OST) which is a compulsory element of the role.

Essential Criteria

• The successful candidate will be able to effectively prioritise conflicting demands, work at pace, flexibly and under pressure, make effective decisions and ensure deadlines are adhered to.
• Communicating confidently along with the ability to challenge is another key requirement. Prospective candidates will be expected to demonstrate that they are comfortable operating at this level in a fast-moving dynamic environment.
• Demonstrable leadership, taking accountability for decisions made and role modelling inclusivity and professional standards.

Qualifications

This role requires recent criminal justice experience as a law enforcement professional working in operational/intelligence development work. Applicants must be accredited criminal justice professionals or intelligence analysts holding one or more of the following qualifications or equivalent:       

• BTEC Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Enforcement (Criminal Investigation) or equivalent   
• University of Portsmouth CFPAB Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist   
• University of Northumbria CFPAB Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist.  

Further information

If successful, you must undertake and pass HM Government Baseline Personnel Standard (BPSS) basic security checks to start. You may have or be able to obtain Security Check clearance. You must consider that you may be asked to be put forward to obtain Developed Vetting.

Job tags

Salary

£39.89k - £42.9k per annum