Senior Digital Forensic Operations Officer
Apply before
15/07/2026, 23:55
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Reference number
987
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Salary
£45,326 \- £54,909 (full salary band)
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RRA \- Recruitment and Retention Allowance (Per Annum)
£ 3000
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Role grade
G4
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Contract type
Permanent
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Command
Investigations
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Business Area
Multi\-Threat \& Borders \& Forensics
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Type of role
Digital, Investigation, Operational Delivery, Operational Research, Policing, Science
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Working pattern
Full time, Flexible Working
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Number of roles available
1
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Senior Digital Forensic Operations Officer
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Location(s)
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Tamworth
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About the Role
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Information about the Command
Investigations Command is the core crime fighting capability of the NCA. We take an intelligence\-led approach and concentrate on tackling the criminals and risks to the public which are beyond the capability or capacity of other law enforcement bodies. Our work is largely focused on investigating Organised Immigration Crime, Human Trafficking, Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Economic Crime, Firearms, Drugs, Kidnap and Extortion and Money Laundering. The Investigations Command provides a flexible, shared operational capability, designed to maximise the impact of the UK's collective resources against serious and organised crime. Our teams respond to a broad range of threats, many of which also remain a responsibility for police forces and other agencies as well as private industry.
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Information about the Business Area
This DD area comprises the Command’s national multi\-threat teams (in the north, central \& Wales, and the south), as well as the Command’s Forensic capability.
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Role Summary
The Senior Digital Forensic Operations Officer role combines leadership of scene\-based digital forensic practitioners with the delivery of high\-quality forensic services in support of serious and organised crime (SOC) investigations. The postholder will work closely with a wide range of investigative teams across the UK, providing tactical and strategic advice to maximise digital forensic opportunities and ensure the effective identification, capture and preservation of evidential material.
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Role Description
The Senior Digital Forensic Operations Officer role combines leadership of scene\-based digital forensic practitioners with the delivery of digital forensic services in support of investigations into SOC.
The postholder will work in collaboration with a diverse range of investigative teams across the UK, providing both tactical and strategic advice on digital forensic capabilities to maximise opportunities for the identification, capture and preservation of evidential material across a range of electronic devices, including computers and mobile devices.
Given the level of responsibility and the dynamic operational environment, candidates must possess a strong digital forensic knowledge base, alongside proven skills in the acquisition and preservation of digital evidence.
Successful candidates will undertake a period of structured onboarding and mentoring within an NCA Digital Forensics laboratory. This will include completion of mandatory safety and legislative training in preparation for deployment to crime scenes.
The NCA is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive working environment. We actively welcome applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds, including neurodivergent candidates, and will provide reasonable adjustments where required.
This role requires regular national travel, including deployments at unsociable hours. Candidates must be willing and able to drive long distances, work extended hours when required, and undertake overnight stays. Participation in an on\-call rota is also an essential requirement of the role.
You may be deployed to support a range of investigations, including those involving Child Sexual Abuse (CSA). By applying for this role, you are confirming your willingness to undertake work in this area. The NCA recognises the potential impact of such work and provides access to Occupational Health Services. In addition, candidates assigned to CSA roles will be required to undergo a psychological assessment prior to appointment. Applicants should carefully consider these requirements before applying.
Information about Forensic Services
Forensic Services delivers a broad range of specialist forensic capabilities in support of the NCA’s mission to tackle SOC. Our multidisciplinary team of forensic professionals applies expertise across a variety of scientific and technical disciplines to support investigations. This includes attending crime scenes to identify and recover evidential material, as well as conducting detailed analysis and examination within laboratory environments.
Our work plays a critical role in supporting an effective and fair criminal justice system. We provide objective, impartial and timely forensic evidence across all stages of the investigative and judicial process. All activities are conducted in accordance with the Forensic Science Regulator’s Codes of Practice, which underpin the quality, integrity and reliability of our services.
Forensic Services comprises the following functional areas:
Forensic Operations \- Works in partnership with investigative teams to deliver traditional forensic capabilities, supporting operational activity both at crime scenes and within accredited laboratory environments.
Forensic Assurance \- Provides oversight of forensic service delivery through governance, quality assurance, and continuous improvement, including the development and adoption of innovative forensic approaches.
Digital Forensics \- A specialist team delivering both scene\-based and laboratory digital forensic capabilities, supporting NCA operations through the identification, acquisition and analysis of digital evidence.
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Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership \- Lead and supervise a team of scene\-based digital forensic Officers, allocating deployments and operational activity to ensure effective and timely delivery.
Strategic and Tactical Operational Planning \- Develop and implement digital forensic collection strategies to maximise evidential recovery across a range of crime scene types. Coordinate deployments, acting as a subject matter expert to support operational effectiveness.
Communication and Stakeholder Engagement \- Work closely with investigation teams to identify forensic requirements, providing clear advice and guidance on digital forensic capabilities and techniques.
Operational Activity \- Participate in operational deployments, projects, and investigations, supporting the collection of intelligence and evidential material to disrupt and degrade criminal activity.
Oversight of Digital Forensic Submissions \- Assess, triage and prioritise digital forensic submissions, supporting exhibit review processes to ensure efficient, high\-quality, and value\-driven service delivery.
Accreditation and Compliance \- Contribute to the development, implementation and maintenance of quality standards (e.g. ISO 17020/17025\), ensuring compliance within the digital forensic environment.
Performance Management and Reporting \- Maintain accurate records and produce evidential reports, witness statements and, where required, provide testimony in court.
Staff and Team Development \- Promote continuous improvement by sharing learning from operational deployments and identifying training opportunities to support professional development through internal programmes and external providers.
Flexibility and Operational Readiness \- Operate effectively across varied and dynamic environments, prioritising activity to ensure the optimal recovery and preservation of digital evidence. Undertake regular travel, including attendance at NCA hubs (Warrington, Bristol and London) for training, accreditation and operational requirements.
Training Requirements
Successfully complete and maintain required training, including Partial Powers training and assessment, within agreed timescales.
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Person Specification
Digital Forensic Experience \- Significant experience working within a digital forensics environment, with a strong understanding of forensic principles, methodologies and tools.
Management and Leadership \- Proven experience of leading and managing teams, including task allocation, performance oversight, and supporting team development in an operational environment.
Evidence Capture \- Demonstrable experience in the acquisition and handling of digital media to evidential standards, ensuring integrity, continuity and admissibility.
Legislation and Compliance \- Sound knowledge of relevant legislation governing the lawful capture, handling, and preservation of digital evidence (e.g. PACE, CPIA, IPA), and its practical application in investigations.
Making Effective Decisions \- Experience of making timely and well\-reasoned operational and investigative decisions, with clear accountability for outcomes.
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