Digital Forensics Technical Manager - Nottingham

About the job

Discover what it's like to work in a compliance role that makes an impact. Could you help us shape a stronger, fairer future? Your next career move starts here. Cybercrime & Forensic Services (C&FS) provides critical support to FIS investigations as part of CODE nationally through the provision of important forensic services. C&FS are responsible for supporting warrant executions to preserve and analyse digital evidence through to investigation and presentation in court.

The Forensic Science Regulator (FSR) has provided clear instruction that all forensic service providers within the criminal justice system must be compliant with the FSR Codes of Practice as well as relevant ISO standards for the conduct of forensic activities. There are several areas across C&FS which need to comply with the FSR Codes and require support.

This is a unique opportunity to be part of the team responsible for critical elements of our services provided to HMRC investigation teams. You will ensure that all aspects of digital forensics activity are carried out to the highest standard, adhering to forensic strategy and principles, and meeting FSR requirements.

Job description

Digital Forensics Technical Managers report to the Senior Technical Managers, who in turn report to the Technical Lead, who sits on the C&FS Senior Leadership Team. Working alongside operational forensic practitioners, the Digital Forensics Technical Managers are responsible for developing and delivering documented technical procedures, maintaining quality checks, the competency framework and validation of tools and procedures, as well as ensuring maintenance of obtained UKAS accreditation to the required standards.

Digital Forensics Technical Managers deal with a wide variety of digital evidence as well as handling, extracting, processing, analysing and presenting findings in a factual and forensically sound manner for further investigation and court. The Technical Management team also supports the wider digital forensic team with operational forensic tasks. Digital Forensic Technical Managers are also responsible for conducting operationally led research and development to create novel solutions to challenges that arise with evidential items.

Person specification

The successful candidate for the Digital Forensics Technical Manager role will be undertaking the following duties:

• Implementing and maintaining records within the C&FS Quality Management System for Standard Operating Procedures, staff competency assessments, validation of both procedures and tools.
• Supporting the wider technical management team in conducting their duties to support the Quality Management System for forensic procedures.
• Collaborate with the Quality Assurance team to ensure compliance with the FSR: Code of Practice and ISO17025 / ISO17020.
• Assess and manage Risks within FMEA frameworks.
• Coordinate Proficiency Test and Inter/Intra Laboratory comparison schemes.
• Represent HMRC C&FS at external assessments conducted by UKAS.
• Conducting some aspects of operationally driven research and development, conducting research into new technology and documenting findings.

The successful candidate will also be expected to:

• Capture, process and analyse digital devices for presentation to the Criminal Justice System.
• Attend search of premises with FIS investigation teams to preserve and triage digital data.
• Attend court as a professional witness.
• Carry out any duties commensurate to the role that is determined by senior leadership.
• To have a methodical approach to problem solving with technical skills being required.

Essential Criteria:

• Demonstrable experience of supporting the writing of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), within a Forensic Science Regulator: Code of Practice compliant environment.
• Demonstrable experience in Digital Forensics conducting forensic examinations of digital devices, using industry standard forensic tools.
• Demonstrable experience of assessing and testing staff competency, or helping to identify any nonconformance within working practices.
• To have a methodical approach to problem solving with technical skills being required.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Desirable Criteria:

• Operational search and seizure experience at scenes.

Training

Depending on existing experience and qualifications, you will be expected to undertake training, ranging from in-house training to external courses. There will be a 6 month training and assessment period.

Public and Personal Safety Training (PPST)

Depending on existing experience and qualifications, you will be expected to undertake training, ranging from in-house training to external courses.

Additional Security information

This post requires the successful candidate to hold or be willing to hold Security check (SC) clearance Licences A Full UK Driving Licence. We recognise that some people cannot drive due to a disability or underlying health condition and may not be able to meet this requirement. Where this applies, you can apply but will need to declare that you require a reasonable adjustment at the point you receive a provisional offer. The vacancy holder will then discuss your specific requirements to consider if this can be reasonably accommodated in this role.

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: Your technical skills will be assessed by way of a 30 minute technical test assessing your knowledge of digital forensics.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of 37,682, HM Revenue and Customs contributes 10,916 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs. We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days. Pension - We make contributions to our colleagues' Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary. Family friendly policies. Personal support. Coaching and development.

To find out more about HMRC benefits and find out what it's really like to work for HMRC hear from our insiders or visit Thinking of joining the Civil Service.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Experience and Technical skills.

How to Apply

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide the following:

• A name-blind CV including your job history and previous experiences. Please limit your job history to up to your last 5 roles with 100 words per role.
• A 750-word personal statement. Your personal statement should be used to describe how your skills and experience would be suitable for the advertised role, using practical examples. Please refer to the Essential Criteria and Person Specification as outlined in the advert.
• Please complete a separate statement (Max 250 words) for the Desirable Criteria where applicable. This is not essential for the role but may be considered by the vacancy-holder where candidates have the same scores at interview.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Sift

In the event of a large number of applications being received, an initial sift may be held on the CV. At full sift your CV and your Personal Statement will be assessed, with the successful candidates being invited to interview. We may also raise the score required at any stage of the process if we receive a high number of applications.

Interview

During the panel interview, you will be assessed on Experience and Technical question. During the panel interview, your experience will be assessed by way of a 10 minute presentation and technical skills assessed by way of a 30 minute technical test. You will also be asked experience-based questions to explore in detail what you are capable of. The presentation topic will be provided to candidates prior to interview. Interviews will take place face to face at either Nottingham regional centre or Stratford regional centre. Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Eligibility

Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. Mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we may not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, or have withdrawn yourself in error and need your application reinstated whilst the campaign is still live, please contact us via email.

Exceptionally, candidates who are not successful at this grade may be considered for appointment to similar roles at a lower grade where the eligibility criteria are met. If this applies, we will contact you directly.

The HMRC app can help you with your application. The HMRC app can provide you with your past 5 years' employment history, making the process of filling in your application quicker and easier.

If successful in your application, you will need your National Insurance number for the onboarding process.

How to download the HMRC app and sign up for an account: Download the free HMRC app from the App Store or Google Play store. If you have an HMRC online account already, sign straight in using your ID and password. If not, you can prove your identity by answering some questions or providing your photo ID. You'll then be able to access the app quickly and easily by signing in using a 6-digit PIN, your fingerprint, or facial recognition.

You can find guidance for technical issues on GOV.UK: Technical support with HMRC online services.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles - if this applies to you, we'll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.

Criminal Record Check

Applications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.

Merit List

After interview, a single merit list will be created, and you will only be considered for posts in locations you have expressed a preference for. Appointments will be made in strict merit order in line with the set number of roles in each location.

Hybrid working at HMRC

HMRC is an office-based organisation, and colleagues are expected to spend 60% of their working time in the office. Our offices provide opportunity for interaction, collaboration which aids learning and development and a sense of community. Where the role allows it, and where the home environment is suitable, colleagues can work from home for up to 2 days a week, averaged over a calendar month (or a proportionate amount of time for colleagues who work less than full time).

Reasonable Adjustments

We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should contact the UBS Recruitment team as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. Complete the "Assistance required" section in the "Additional requirements" page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.

Technical Support

If you are experiencing problems that cannot be resolved by our 'help' section, then technical support is available. You will receive a reply in 2 working days.

Additional Security Information

Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.

Important information for existing HMRC contractual homeworkers: Please note that this role is unsuitable for contractual homeworkers due to the nature and/or requirements of the role.

Terms and Conditions

Customer facing roles in HMRC require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement, this will be tested as part of the selection process.

HMRC has a presence in every region of the UK. For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations.

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences. Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application(s) will be withdrawn from the process. Recording of interviews is prohibited unless explicit agreement is sought in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations.

Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert. Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

New entrants will join on the minimum of the pay band. Please note that, if you are applying for roles on a part-time basis, the salary agreed will be pro-rata, reflective of the working hours agreed within your contract.

If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section. For more Information for people applying for, or thinking of applying for, roles at HM Revenue and Customs, please see link: Working for HMRC: information for applicants - GOV.UK.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check.

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), 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.