Financial Investigator in Belfast

The Financial Investigator will investigate, restrain and confiscate assets from criminals who are suspected of benefiting from criminal offences. The role holder will conduct cash seizure investigations through to forfeiture and progress through the judicial process. In addition, the Financial Investigator will provide information and advice to the organisation with regard to the Proceeds of Crime Act and the financial investigation process.

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, 37 hours per week (42 hours gross) with a requirement to work outside office hours when necessary to meet the demands of the role.

Salary: £37,694 - £38,990 plus £1,422 environmental allowance.

Main Activities:

• Identifying money laundering offences and obtaining evidence of financial crime to support investigations into organised crime, and conducting financial enquiries to assist other police investigations, for example, missing persons.
• Analysing financial material relating to confiscation investigations to target criminal assets.
• Collating and evaluating findings, and making recommendations to identify criminal benefit, assets, financial crime etc.
• Seizing cash from persons and premises and investigating the derivation of the cash and/or its intended purpose.
• Making formal written and verbal applications for the detention and forfeiture of the cash at court.
• Interpreting Proceeds of Crime related legislation and case law and relating the legislation to practical execution in investigations and court preparation.
• Checking ownership details for premises to be searched, assisting in the searching (role holder named on search warrant) and providing advice to police officers with regard to the seizure of financial related material and cash.
• Obtaining Search Warrants, Court Orders and other forms of authority in order to gather evidence and financial information from financial institutions, government departments and the business community, including professional bodies.
• Planning, conducting, and accurately recording interviews with suspects (where permitted) to comply with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.
• Complying with constraints imposed by the Human Rights Act 1998.
• Presenting evidence to court to support criminal prosecutions and subsequent confiscation proceedings and hearings.
• Obtaining and monitoring Financial Reporting Orders.
• Liaising with courts and the prosecution service to ensure cases are accurately progressed, including providing verbal confirmation of factual information to High Court and Crown Court Judges.
• Writing and submitting statements of information, witness statements, briefing documents, affidavits and reports to police officers, Prosecution Services Counsel and other Law Enforcement agencies.
• Attending meetings within the organisation, and also with external departments, agencies, private companies, professionals and members of the public, in order to promote awareness of financial crime and prevention techniques.
• Maintaining liaison and building partnerships within the Police Service and with external agencies including Serious Organised Crime Agency, Public Prosecution Service, other police services, Northern Ireland Civil Service departments, Financial Institutions and His Majesty's Revenue and Customs.
• Using computer databases and software applications to manage and develop the investigations, and maintaining accurate case management, document logs, policy logs and case activity records in relation to investigations.
• Mentoring staff to increase knowledge base, build confidence and to improve effectiveness within existing roles.

The duties and responsibilities outlined reflect the main elements of those associated with this position. It is not intended to be exclusive or exhaustive.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications & Experience:

• Current full accreditation as a Financial Intelligence Officer/Financial Investigator or previously fully accredited within the last 3 years.

Essential Skills:

• A minimum of 2 years experience conducting financial investigations, including:
• Practical experience of criminal and civil legislation e.g. Fraud Act, Theft Act, Social Securities Act, Freedom of Information Act, Human Rights Act etc.
• Practical application of anti-money laundering regulations and industry guidance.
• Gathering and analysing financial information from a range of sources.
• Conducting financial investigative interviews and providing financial investigative recommendations.
• Briefing others on financial investigation outcomes/results.
• Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Essential Other:

• The successful candidate must have access to a form of transport which will enable them to fulfil the responsibilities of the job in full. On occasion, travel will be required outside Northern Ireland.
• IT literate specifically in the use of Microsoft Office (including MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel and MS Outlook).

Additional Information:

Appointment will be dependent on the individual satisfying the vetting requirements for the post which will vary according to the work area appointed to. Please note that for all appointments there is a minimum requirement to have a three-year checkable history immediately preceding the submission of a vetting questionnaire. Shortlisting will be carried out based on the essential criteria. Successful applicants will be retained on a merit list for future opportunities arising. We would encourage you to check the spam within your email system for any relevant correspondence.