Criminal Enforcement Officer

We are currently looking for a Criminal Enforcement Officer to join our Criminal Enforcement Unit Function within the Safety & Surveillance group.

This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role is a home‑based role but will require occasional travel to 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU or South Mimms, Hertfordshire. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Who are we?

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.

The Criminal Enforcement Unit is a dedicated law enforcement function within the MHRA, leading interventions to tackle the most serious criminal threats to the public from the illegal sale and supply of medicines and medical devices.

MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit (CEU) is a multi‑disciplinary function that sits within the Safety and Surveillance Group. The Group brings together into a single integrated structure devices and medicines safety expertise with criminal enforcement capabilities. The CEU takes action to protect the public by preventing, disrupting and detecting the illegal trade in human medicines and medical devices.

What’s the role?

The overall purpose of the Criminal Enforcement Officer (CEO) role is to support and deliver a range of core capabilities that enable the CEU to meet its strategic aim. Candidates are expected to have experience in a criminal or regulatory enforcement background including assisting with the delivery of multiple business support capabilities, for example assessing and responding to referrals, data recording and the issuing of warning letters.

Key responsibilities:

• Contributing to the delivery of impactful strategic and/or tactical criminal threat reduction interventions.
• Delivering allocated tasks to the highest professional standards, actively encouraging, supporting and participating in a culture of continuous improvement, and modelling Civil Service and corporate values and behaviours.
• Participating in multi‑disciplinary teams to develop and deliver threat reduction interventions. This may include task‑specific teams, cross‑functional teams and small project delivery teams.
• Supporting and contributing to the delivery of projects and portfolio responsibilities to enhance the operational effectiveness of the CEU and the wider Agency.
• Embracing a flexible approach to work to meet demand across the function and wider CEU.

Who are we looking for?

Oursuccessful candidatewill have:

• Recent experience in the law enforcement profession or UK intelligence community of one or more of the following:
  • delivering internet intelligence and investigation and OSINT collection capabilities
  • delivery of multiple operational and/or business support capabilities
  • applying the 4P strategic response framework to identify and deliver innovative non‑criminal justice interventions.
  • assessing and responding to referrals
  • issuing of warning letters
  • Evidence of data recording

Person Specification

See Job Description

Method of assessment: A=Application, I=Interview

Behaviour Criteria:

• Working Together (I)
• Changing and Improving (I)
• Managing a Quality Service (I)

Experience Criteria:

The requirement is for recent experience in the law enforcement profession or UK intelligence community of one or more of the following (A, I):

• Recent experience in the law enforcement profession or UK intelligence community of one or more of the following:
  • delivering internet intelligence and investigation and OSINT collection capabilities
  • delivery of multiple operational and/or business support capabilities
  • applying the 4P strategic response framework to identify and deliver innovative non‑criminal justice interventions.
  • assessing and responding to referrals
  • issuing of warning letters
  • Evidence of data recording

Desirable criteria

We are especially keen to hear from candidates who have experience in one or more of the following areas in a law enforcement environment:

1. Coordinating and assisting with multiple operational support functions including criminal enforcement deployments and evaluating and responding to crime and incident referrals.
2. Conducting an internet intelligence and investigation (III) activities to identify and disrupt online threats.
3. Contributing to the delivery of innovation projects and portfolio responsibilities to enhance criminal enforcement.
4. Assisting with responses to external requests including Freedom of Information, DPA, Parliamentary Questions and press.

Technical Criteria:

The requirement is for one or more of the following (A, I):

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and a proven ability to write well‑focused, penetrating reports fully independently, that articulate complex matters clearly and concisely in a way that aids comprehension.

Strengths Criteria:

• Adaptable (I)
• Focused (I)
• Problem Solver (I)

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification!

Please note: The job description may not open in some internet browsers. Please use Chrome or Microsoft Edge. If you have any issue viewing the job description, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk.

The selection process:

We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates, find out more here.

• Online application form, including questions based on the Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profiles. Please ensure all application questions are completed in full; your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank. Our applications are CV blind, and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV when reviewing your application.
• Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.

In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of: recent experience in the law enforcement profession or UK intelligence community.

Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role. Applications are scored based on the competency‑based answers provided – ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time. You can view the competencies for this role in the job description.

Use of AI in Job Applications

Applicants must ensure that anything submitted is factually accurate and truthful. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.

If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk as soon as possible.

Closing date: 25 January 2026

Shortlisting date: From 26 January 2026

Interview date: 09 February 2026

Candidates will be contacted within a week of the sift and the interviews completed to inform them of the outcome.

If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk.

Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check as well as animal rights and pro‑life activism checks. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Certain roles within the MHRA will require post holders to have vaccinations, and in some circumstances, routine health surveillance. These roles include:

• Laboratory‑based roles working directly with known pathogens
• Maintenance roles, particularly those required to work in laboratory settings
• Roles that involve visiting other establishments where vaccination is required
• Roles required to travel overseas where specific vaccination may be required.

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.

Any move to the MHRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax‑Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility here.

Successful candidates may be subject to annual Occupational Health reviews dependent on role requirements. If you have any queries, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk.