UC National Covert Enabling Advisor - Band C - Humint - Counter Terrorism Policing HQ

The CTP Undercover (UC) National Covert Enabling Advisor role will deliver enhanced assurance that the HUMINT capability is set up to succeed. Supporting the National HUMINT Unit’s (NHU) increased delivery requirements in meeting new business areas whilst continuing to deliver activity against diversifying CT demands. Ensuring continued world class collaboration and that our delivery teams are best prepared for new and emerging risks. The post will play a critical role in CTPs continued success in delivering covert operations under the PURSUE pillar of HMGs CONTEST strategy.

Key Tasks

• The Covert Enabling Advisor will provide updates for the CTP Deputy & Senior National Coordinator and support to the CTP UC Operational Security advisor regarding the use and delivery of the capabilities covert infrastructure.
• They will provide governance of policy and uphold procedures that are in place for the lawful delivery of covert tactics.
• They will also lead and direct post‑operational reviews following the deployment of technical equipment or enabling capabilities to understand and capture learning from the investigations, in order to improve and advance this sensitive area of business across the UCU network.
• The role will provide governance of all centrally held enabling assets such as vehicles, premises and tech, and assurance that they are maintained by the central/regional teams and readily available for covert operational activity.
• The post holder will design plans and contingencies for deployment and lead testing exercises to check these.
• They will manage records of what UCU assets the capability hold and have access to from partners across the CTP network, providing a concise single live repository of information recording the use and availability of assets & infrastructure for priority CTP operations.
• They will manage a process to oversee various covert assets and associated infrastructure.

Other Responsibilities

• Lead and project manage the development of new technologies and tactics for the CTP Undercover capabilities.
• Lead budgetary management of research and development, testing and acquisition costs of covert asset resources and technologies.
• Oversee the national and international deployment of covert infrastructure in-line with policy.
• Manage the use of covert infrastructure by applying a cost/benefit analysis.
• Facilitate arrangements for backstopping training and policy changes in conjunction with the NHU Policy and Strategy Team.
• Advise on legal procedural matters in conjunction with stakeholders and partner agencies associated with covert assets and collaborated infrastructure.
• Devise joint working practices, policy and guidance with key partners.
• Ensure that any changes are correctly de‑conflicted with relevant NHU teams recorded and published as required.
• Maintain national policy and guidance in conjunction with NHU Policy lead.
• Negotiate delivery of key objectives across the HUMINT network where organisations have different processes to manage covert assets.
• The role carries a high workload tied into critical operational time frames dependent on access to assets to support infrastructure.
• Maintain a wide sphere of scanning activity to ensure NHU can advise and direct the CTP HUMINT capability on sensitive covert activity i.e. government policy, new legislation, NPCC policy.
• Ensure related CTP covert assets and infrastructure are applying necessary operational security requirements.

Vetting

This post requires access to the most sensitive intelligence material on a daily basis. Applicants must hold or be prepared to undergo National Security Vetting (NSV) Developed Vetting (DV) level before taking up the post. This post requires British nationality (some dual nationals may be ineligible) and an Enhanced Security Check (eSC)/Developed Vetting (DV) clearance. As the post holder will have access to very sensitive information, there are limitations on travelling to a small number of countries and we will undertake additional security checks as part of the recruitment process. Applications from candidates with close connections to certain countries may take considerably longer to process, or in some cases result in a withdrawal of an offer of employment. Further details will be provided at the conditional offer stage.

Confidentiality Agreement

Applicants should also be aware of the need to sign a confidentiality agreement on taking up the post.

Our Colleague Commitments

Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) continues to prioritise an inclusive and supportive working environment and culture, where all of our people feel a strong sense of belonging and are empowered to reach their full potential. CTP keeps the nation and everyone in it safe from all manner of threats and, as those threats evolve, so do we – Inclusion, Diversity and Equality (IDE) is the key to supporting our greatest asset, our people. We ensure all colleagues feel respected, supported and valued to fully participate in the delivery of our mission – “working to keep people safe from Terrorism”. IDE is at the heart of our approach to make the composition of Counter Terrorism Policing more representative of the communities we serve. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds.

Essentials Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• The post holder will need to possess extensive experience of operational Undercover operations.
• Experience of building and / or maintaining effective operational enabling capabilities in order to promote successful operational delivery.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of UC/CHIS legislation applying to covert policing.
• The post holder will need to use negotiation skills to manage front line operational covert teams in order to make best use of available assets.
• Knowledge & experience of managing CHIS and/or UC operations.

Additional Essential Criteria

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage effectively (written and verbal) with personnel at all levels.
• Proven ability to conduct complex risk assessments to prioritise tactical options.
• Good assessment and analytical experience as it relates to effective operational problem solving.
• Experience in providing effective operational and tactical advice to senior leaders.
• Ability to present strong convincing arguments and maintain credibility/composure when confronted with differing opinions from senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Ability to work under pressure and tight time constraints.
• Ability to identify opportunities for improvement initiatives.
• Ability to work collaboratively with partners and maintain positive working relationships.
• Hold a UKIC HUMINT qualification i.e. National Security Agent Handling (NSAHC) course or similar.
• Hold a full UK drivers licence.
• Willing to travel across the UK.
• There will be very limited opportunities for working from home, however the role holder could work from one of the regional offices with regular paid travel to the London office.
• Must hold current Developed Vetting.
• Must be willing to undergo an enhanced Developed Vetting process.
• Experience of counter terrorism activities with particular relevance and experience to covert logistics.
• Experience of covert operations within UKIC or a non‑Police government function.
• Hold a Project/Change management qualification.
• Hold a College of Policing HUMINT qualification at management level i.e. Controller/AO/COMUC/OPSY.
• Experience of working on projects with internal and external partners.
• Experience of working as part of a joint team between partners.

Disability Confident Statement

The Met is committed to being an equitable and inclusive employer for disabled people, striving to have a diverse and representative workforce at all levels. We encourage applications from people from the widest range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and long‑term conditions, ethnic minority groups and women. As a Disability Confident Leader, the Met has committed to making disability equality part of our everyday practice. We ensure that people with disabilities and those with long‑term conditions have the opportunity to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations. The Met is committed to making reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process to ensure disabled applicants can perform at their best. If you need any reasonable adjustments or changes to the application and recruitment process, please include this information within your application form. All matters will be treated in strict confidence.