HM Prison and Probation Service
Intelligence Researcher (Ref: 22900)

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Job Summary
Please refer to Job Description
Job Description
Overview Of The Job
The Researcher will support the Intelligence Analysts in developing the intelligence picture on a range of threats and risks impacting on their geographic or thematic area. Intelligence assessments will look across prison and probation contexts at ‘high priority’ offenders, offending groups and operational security vulnerabilities in their area.
The post holder will obtain, evaluate, prepare and supply information for the Intelligence Analysts, in line with priorities for the Intelligence Unit. They will also disseminate the intelligence product in compliance with relevant legislation, codes of practice, standards, procedures and guidelines.
The post holder will report to an Intelligence Analyst in the Units. The post is a flexible resource within the function and the post holder may be asked to undertake work for another Unit to respond to changes in priorities.
This post is based in a regional Hub of the Security, Order and Counter Terrorism Directorate. Whilst the post has a ‘base’, occasional travel to HMPPS headquarters, prison establishments, prison regional offices and National Probation Service Division offices as well as law enforcement partners’ offices may be required.
Summary
This is a key support role in the intelligence analytical function. The post holder will be expected to provide high quality intelligence research to the Intelligence Analysts.
The post holder will need to obtain and work with large volumes of information in both written and numeric form, some of which will be held in bespoke databases. They should be confident in organising information, using software where appropriate to do this. They will also require strong numerical and written skills and an eye for detail so that information is presented accurately.
The post holder will need to build productive relationships with a range of internal and external partners in order to obtain relevant information when it is needed and manage and respond to expectations of intelligence customers.
The post holder will also require strong administrative skills and the ability to manage and prioritise their own workload.
The post has no operational requirement. However an understanding of prisons, probation and/or law enforcement operating environment would be an advantage.
The post holder must act with the highest levels of personal and professional integrity and champion these qualities in others. They must be vetted to Security Check (SC) standards.
Responsibilities, Activities And Duties
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
- Obtain and evaluate information relevant to intelligence questions from a range of sources, in line with a collection plan agreed with the Intelligence Analyst. This may include, for example: interrogating HMPPS’ databases (e.g. Delius, NOMIS, OaSys, Mercury intelligence system); researching ‘open source’ information; obtaining HMPPS’ performance data; identifying relevant research (including HMPPS’, wider government and academic sources); seeking expert opinion; and information held by partner agencies.
- Prepare and supply information to the intelligence analyst. This will require organising information, using software where appropriate. Activities may include, for example: cross-referencing data sets; producing graphs, tables and charts; writing summaries of source documents; providing extracts of databases; and recording meetings/interviews.
- Establish and maintain a catalogue of source information relevant to intelligence questions.
- Maintain a catalogue of intelligence products and a database of intelligence customers. Disseminate intelligence products in line with handling requirements and in compliance with relevant legislation, codes of practice, standards, procedures and guidelines.
- Identify and pursue opportunities to enhance the intelligence picture by seeking new sources of information and maintaining good working relationships with internal and external partners who can supply information.
- Handle all information and intelligence in line with HMPPS’ policies, and relevant legislation.
- Take an active role in HMPPS’ intelligence analyst community, supporting own and colleagues’ professional development.
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The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.
Behaviours
- Making Effective Decisions
- Managing a Quality Service
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
Ability
- MS Word and Excel
- Strong numeracy and literacy skills
Person Specification
Please refer to Job Description
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
- Managing a Quality Service
Salary and Benefits
Alongside your salary of £29,107, HM Prison & Probation Service contributes £8,432 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).
- Access to learning and development
- A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
- A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
- Annual Leave
- Public Holidays
- Season Ticket Advance
For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.
Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ
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.
https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.


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Security
Successful candidates must undergo a standard (or equivalent) criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window). See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a standard (or equivalent) criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window). See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality Requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
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