National Crime Agency (NCA)
Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS) Controller
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East Midlands (England), East of England, North East England, North West England, South East England, South West England, West Midlands (England), Yorkshire and the Humber
Job Summary
Information about the Command
The role of Intelligence is to develop the right operations, which target and disrupt - by the most effective means - the offenders who seek to cause the highest harm to the UK.
A diverse directorate with a wide variety of unique functions and specialist skillsets in our ranks, some of which we deliver as the national provider for the wider Serious Organised Crime (SOC) system. From our niche technical capabilities, to our overseas network of International Liaison Officers (ILO) and our Tasking teams, there are many component parts which contribute to the efforts of the directorate and the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Information About The Business Area
Intelligence Collection coordinates NCA collection capabilities against the NCA’s highest priorities. Intelligence Collection includes forensics, open source, covert human intelligence sources, undercover officers and technical collection capabilities. This includes responding to threats and exploiting opportunities relating to the use of electronic communications by Subjects of Interest using the various powers conferred within the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA). This is a dynamic and diverse arena with constant and rapid change, suiting those officers who thrive on near constant challenge.
Job Description
A critical role responsible for the lawful, ethical and effective management of NCA Officers handling Covert Human Intelligence Sources in support of priority NCA investigations and intelligence collection.
Role Description
The CHIS Controller will ensure that all engagement with sources is compliant, secure and aligned with organisational policies and relevant legislation, including the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) and the Covert Human Intelligence Sources Code of Practice.
Working closely with operational teams, intelligence specialists and partner agencies to ensure that CHIS activity delivers high quality intelligence while maintaining the safety and welfare of all individuals involved.
To Note:
- Regular travel nationally and internationally will be expected as part of this role
- Interviews will be conducted in person in London around the second week of July
Person specification
- Manage, oversee and support the deployment of CHIS in accordance with legislation, policy and procedural requirements.
- Conduct risk assessments, review operational plans, and ensure all activity is proportionate, necessary and properly authorised.
- Maintain accurate and timely records of CHIS activity, ensuring legal compliance and audit readiness.
- Management of CHIS Handlers. Providing direction, guidance while ensuring operational integrity and safeguarding standards.
- Assess intelligence from sources to ensure accuracy, relevance and value to investigations.
- Liaise with operational leads, investigators and partner agencies to support intelligence led activity.
- Ensure the safety and welfare of CHIS is prioritised at all times, applying effective risk mitigation strategies.
Skills, Knowledge And Experience
- RIPA/CPIA trained/experienced.
- Proven experience of leading, managing and overseeing the deployment of diverse/ remote based operational teams within a multi-agency environment
- Successfully leading or supervising people or a team to deliver against business objectives and performance indicators.
- Effective decision making with accountability for decisions made.
- Leading multiple projects
- Conducting intelligence development activities
- Communication - Able to convey information in a clear way using the most effective medium and with the audience in mind.
- Innovation - The ability to think of, research and apply new ideas. Encourage and support innovation. Willing to experiment and follow ideas. Identify improvements. Manage delivery of initiatives.
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On-call working
1 week in 3, 24 hours coverage to respond to urgent requirements (Subject to change)
Qualifications
- Trained CHIS Controller at Enhanced Level (former National Level 4) or another agency equivalent.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Working Together
Salary and Benefits
- Alongside your salary of £55,575, National Crime Agency contributes £16,100 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
- All NCA employees are members of the UK Civil Service and eligible for the Civil Service pension scheme, alongside your salary the NCA contributes £16100. Further information on the benefits of the scheme is available on the Civil Service Pension Website.
- New entrants to the NCA receive 26 days annual leave, rising to 31 on completion of 5 years continuous service, plus 8 bank holidays.
- If qualifying criteria is met new joiners from UK Police Forces or the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC) will have service with those employers taken into account for continuous service purposes for annual leave entitlement only, this will be up to a maximum of 31 days leave (including 1 privilege day).
- Other Benefits Include:
- Flexible working, including flexi-time, compressed hours and job sharing (in line with business requirements)
- Family friendly policies, notably above the statutory minimum
- Learning and Development opportunities
- Interest free loans and advances, including season tickets, childcare and rental deposits
- Housing schemes - Key Worker status
- Discounts and Savings with a wide variety of services including Cycle to Work, Smart Tech schemes, dental insurance, gym discounts and savings on everyday spending, available through the Reward Gateway, Edenred and Blue Light Card schemes.
- Staff support groups/networks
- Sports and social activities, including membership to the Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC)
Further information is available on the NCA Website.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
How We Will Assess You
Your application will be assessed against the following:
Experience - This Will Be Assessed:
- Experience of the supervision and management of Covert Human Intelligence Sources to support serious organised crime investigations in the UK and overseas.
- Experience of managing risk to Covert Human Intelligence Source operations in high threat, time constrained environments
- Ability to demonstrate the development of Covert Human Intelligence Source and staff productivity, leading to operational delivery or success.
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A panel will assess how well your application demonstrates the requirements outlined above.
Assessment 1
The format of this assessment will be Interview which will be tested on the criteria listed in the Success Profiles at Assessment section.
Success Profiles at Assessment
Behaviours
- Leadership
- Working Together
Experience
- Experience of the supervision and management of Covert Human Intelligence Sources to support serious organised crime investigations in the UK and overseas.
- Experience of managing risk to Covert Human Intelligence Source operations in high threat, time constrained environments
- Ability to demonstrate the development of Covert Human Intelligence Source and staff productivity, leading to operational delivery or success.
Strengths
Strengths are tested at interview stage - the strengths tested are not shared before the interview.
Security and Vetting
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is SC Enhanced. All security clearances will be managed by the NCA.
For more information on security vetting please visit: UK Security Vetting guidance for applicants and Demystifying Vetting and see our vetting charter at: The Vetting Charter.
Vetting Requirements - SC Enhanced
Prior to commencing the role, you will need to successfully complete SC Enhanced clearance and then achieve both DV Enhanced and DV STRAP clearance within the first 12 months in post.
The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
The requirement for DV Enhanced clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 7 of the last 10 years.
To obtain DV STRAP you must be willing to undergo STRAP induction and must hold full UK nationality or dual nationality, where one component is British. Applications will be considered on a case by case basis.
Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.
If you fail to obtain the increased clearance within 12 months of starting, your contract of employment is at risk of termination.
For further information on National Security Vetting checks please visit the following page Demystifying Vetting
Things you need to know
Operational Roles
The National Crime Agency Is a Law Enforcement Agency And As Such We Are Part Of The Criminal Justice System. Therefore If You Are Going Into An Operational Role We Need To Be Aware If Any Of Our Officers Have, Either Before They Join Us Or Afterwards, Any Of The Following:
- Any criminal conviction (including Court Martial), or caution or fixed penalty notice for disorder or theft;
- Any adverse judicial findings;
- Any charges or summonses where the proceedings are not complete;
- Any misconduct or gross misconduct findings or where proceedings are not complete.
You will be asked to complete a declaration covering the above if offered a role with the NCA.
Each case will be considered on its merits and a positive declaration does not automatically mean that your application will not be progressed. However, should you fail to disclose a relevant matter then your application or employment will be adversely affected. If in doubt, please declare it at this stage.
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