L3/HEO - Investigator - Criminal Investigation Midlands and West

 Job Description

The Investigation and Enforcement Services Directorate (IES) aims to deliver and promote a range of investigation and enforcement activities both civil and criminal in nature, to support fair and open markets and to promote high standards of corporate behaviour. IES plays a key role in enforcing the statutory company and insolvency regimes to maintain public confidence in those regimes and to tackle the harm caused to victims of fraudulent activity. IES does this primarily through:

• Investigations into companies and individuals abusing the corporate and insolvency regime.
• Disqualification of unfit directors.
• Winding-up companies trading contrary to the public interest.
• Investigation and prosecution of criminal offences.
• Building awareness of enforcement action taken; and
• Working in partnership with other enforcement agencies across Government.

The Criminal Investigation Team is responsible for conducting criminal investigations into insolvency and corporate related criminal offences which support the Agency’s 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 Midlands and West 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 based in Nottingham, Birmingham  or Cardiff. 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:

• Investigate a range of criminal offences including complex fraud, bankruptcy, insolvency and Covid related offences. Obtain detailed statements of witnesses in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1967, Magistrates Court Act 1980 and the Criminal Justice Act 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 Agency’s prosecution and advisory lawyers and counsel, take the lead and drive follow up action 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.
• To contribute to the performance of the team and the achievement of the team targets as well as embedding continuous improvement  activity, as well as maintaining investigation standards.

Person specification

Essential skills

• 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 - within the last 2 years
• A 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)
• 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
• A full UK driving licence is essential and own vehicle is desirable

Desirable skills

• Professionalising Investigations Programme (PIP) level 2 accredited investigator

   Post can be based at either Birmingham, Cardiff or Nottingham