Lead Investigator – Anti-Corruption Unit

As an ACU Lead Investigator, you will be welcomed into a dynamic and inclusive investigative team working in the field of Anti-Corruption. The IOPC is on a journey to develop its culture, perspectives and ethos to support the organisation’s core outcomes and this is your opportunity to enter into the varied world of IOPC investigations, allowing you to develop your mindset and approaches to contribute to improving the police complaints system in England and Wales.

As an ACU lead investigator you will be working predominantly in the covert policing sphere and will be responsible for leading and providing direction, control and oversight of sensitive, high risk and often complex investigations. The role is also key to building positive working relationships with stakeholders, for identifying and sharing good practice and for improving the quality and impact of our work.

Please note, that in order to be successfully hired for the role of ACU Lead Investigator you will need to pass SC Clearance. Part of this clearance will require you to be able to demonstrate you have resided in the UK consecutively for the past 5 years.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Leading independent IOPC Anti-Corruption investigations in England and Wales including making strategic investigative decisions, conducting a range of investigative tasks, completing investigative reports, and ensuring investigations are conducted in line with legislation and procedure.
• Providing direction and control of directed, supervised, and managed investigations in England and Wales including setting the scope of investigations, negotiating the investigative strategies and quality assuring throughout.
• Engaging with assigned policing areas in order to improve working relationships and engagement with stakeholders, upskilling stakeholders on IOPC practice and improving the quality and volume of covert referrals.
• Sharing and promoting learning in the field of covert investigations at both the strategic and operational levels and acting as a single point of contact between policing areas to share learning and best practice both internally and externally.
• Collaborating with stakeholders to manage risk in the highly confidential field of Anti-Corruption, escalating when appropriate.
• Assisting the wider IOPC investigations function as required by undertaking core investigative tasks including statement taking, exhibit management, scene management and disclosure.
• Taking an active role on the IOPC on call rota, responding to incidents, and attending scenes out of normal office hours as required.
• Taking personal responsibility for completing your investigators portfolio, maintaining your investigative skills and covert policing knowledge, and actively pursuing both routine and specialist CPD, supported by supervision and the L and D team.
• Support the wider IOPC organisation with specialist knowledge and advice relating to covert policing, acting as a subject matter champion for the theme and providing advice on investigations.

Person specification

Essential

• Qualification, Accreditation and/or experience in Covert Law Enforcement
• Good general education [minimum two A levels or equivalent]
• Driving licence valid for driving in England & Wales

Desirable

• Covert Authorities Trained/Accredited
• Experience managing covert tactics to gather intelligence and evidence.
• Managing covert investigations through to an overt outcome.
• Applying for authority to achieve covert deployments.
• Managing and influencing external stakeholders and forming ongoing professional relationships.
• Quality assurance of work, internally and externally.
• Making effective decisions based on analysis of existing and emerging information.
• Evidence of effective oral and written communication skills including report writing.
• Experience of engaging effectively with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Delivering a high standard of work within demanding timescales.
• Identification and managing operational, organisational, and strategic risk.
• Working effectively in a changing environment.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to show initiative and adapt in a changing covert law enforcement and Anti-Corruption 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 effective decisions.
• Demonstrates the confidence and ability to cope with challenging situations.
• Ability to identify and respond to the diverse needs of individual and stakeholder groups.