Trainee Intelligence Officer - Croydon/Stratford - Croydon - Ruskin Square

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. Ready for a challenge that really matters? Do you have an enquiring mind and a passion for solving complex problems? Love making decisions based on evidence and analysis? If so, this could be the role for you.

These are some of the most exciting opportunities in Government and Law Enforcement. We're looking for dynamic, enthusiastic individuals who thrive in fast-paced environments, adapt to changing priorities, and bring energy and curiosity to everything they do. If you're ready to dive into varied, meaningful work where every decision counts, we'd love to hear from you.

Job description

You will be trained to gather and develop intelligence from a variety of sources. The role requires attention to detail, tenacity, resilience and flexibility. You will need to exercise sound judgment and discretion, applying legislation, policy and procedure. The products you develop will be used to attack organised crime groups through onward referrals for criminal prosecution or tax intervention against criminals and seizure of unlawful goods and the proceeds of crime. You will be required to travel within the UK and occasionally overseas and deploy on operations including surveillance of subjects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Gather, analyse, develop and disseminate intelligence to support investigations while using sound judgement to assess evidence and identify risks.
• Undertake wide-ranging desk-based duties, including interrogating HMRC and external systems, conducting third-party enquiries, recording and reporting outcomes.
• Develop quality cases for intervention and criminal prosecution across all HMRC regimes, such as complex cyber-attacks, money laundering, tax fraud and smuggling of tobacco and alcohol in addition to new and emerging threats.
• Collaborate with counter-fraud professionals and law enforcement partners within HMRC and external law enforcement agencies across the UK and overseas, sharing expertise and working as part of a wider team to protect the UK.
• Prepare and present evidence within the criminal justice system, including drafting witness statements, attending court and giving evidence as required.
• Working to a standard that can withstand inspection by Team Leaders, the Courts and external authorities.
• Complying with legislation by undertaking the role of Disclosure Officer in relation to material, created or obtained during an investigation.
• Conduct covert surveillance operations, both foot and static, as part of intelligence-led investigations, showing resilience and adaptability under pressure.

Person specification

We're looking for adaptable, resilient individuals with strong analytical skills and attention to detail. You'll thrive under pressure, make evidence-based decisions, and maintain high standards that withstand legal scrutiny. You should be confident in gathering intelligence, assessing evidence, and applying legislation accurately. Collaboration is key, so you'll work effectively with partners and embrace innovation, including digital tools. Tenacity, problem-solving ability, and professionalism when facing challenges are essential.

Training and Assessment Period

Please ensure you understand the following requirements before you apply: We recruit candidates based on aptitude and potential and will provide full training to give you the skills and experience needed to succeed. Successful candidates will need to undertake a training period of approximately 12 months. This will include online and on-the-job learning, a three-month course including 3-weeks residential and a 1-day Public and Personal Safety Training course with annual refresher training. The Public and Personal Safety Training includes physical activity and requires an appropriate level of fitness. You must be able to take part in, for example, jogging, stretching and movement exercises, self-defence and restraint techniques. Throughout the 12 months, you will have a Practical Training Officer to guide you through the process and will receive support from your management team and colleagues. Successful completion of all training is vital for the role. We provide candidates with as much support as possible but those who do not complete - and pass - all required training, cannot remain in the role and may need to be moved to an alternative role within HMRC. If that is not possible, your employment may be terminated. Other specialist training may also be required, dependent on the team you are placed in and the changing nature of surveillance work. Personal development will continue after the initial 12-month period and throughout your career.

Essential Criteria:

Hold a full valid UK driving licence at the time of application and be willing to drive official vehicles. 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.

Flexibility Payment

Once successfully trained, you will be in receipt of a Flexibility Payment, in addition to your salary and will be required to work additional hours above and beyond a normal working pattern. This commitment includes:

• Short notice changes
• Some evening/weekend/bank holiday work
• Working an additional 275 hours per annum (not required during training)
• Being on-call - 1 week in 4, pre-rostered (not required during training)

Flexibility Payment (FP) has different levels, each of which provides a different type and quantity of flexibility and additional attendance.

Flexibility Payment 1a (whilst training)

FP Level 1a buys flexibility and contactability which enables HMRC to change your work pattern at short notice to meet business needs. FP Level 1a secures 75 or more changes of duty per annum with no upper limit. FP Level 1a is paid whilst you are training, and you will become eligible to receive payment one month after taking up duty. FP Level 1a is paid at the rate of £4,100 per annum (irrespective of whether you are in HMRC's National or London pay areas).

Flexibility Payment 2 (once fully trained)

FP Level 2 buys the flexibility and contactability of Level 1a, plus periods of on call at the rate of 1 week in every 4 (pre-rostered) and 275 additional hours per annum. You will become eligible for FP Level 2 when you successfully complete your training assessment period. This usually takes about 12 months. However, training timescales are estimates and not guaranteed. This will vary depending upon course availability and other factors. FP Level 2 is paid at the rate of £12,400 per annum (HMRC National pay area) or £13,300 per annum (HMRC London pay area).

Note: At FP Levels 1a and 2, your standard hours and additional hours when you become eligible, are flexible to be worked at any time needed by the business including at night time, weekends and public holidays. FP is reviewed annually - on a business needs and personal basis - and may be subject to change.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,423, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £10,262 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.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability and Experience.

How to Apply

After submission of the first stage of your application, you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Verbal Test, Civil Service Numerical Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application. The selection process consists of 4 stages:

• Stage 1. Short Application & Online Tests
• Stage 2. Full Application
• Stage 3. Sift
• Stage 4. Interview

Interviews will take place face to face. 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. We understand mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we will not be able to reopen your application for you.

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.

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.