Investigation Advisors - Forensic Opportunities Project

We are recruiting a number of experienced individuals to join our new Forensic Opportunities Project team. This project will focus on reviewing previously submitted applications, where the applicant was convicted of rape or murder and the identity of the offender is in issue. Your role will be to identify where there are forensic opportunities within these cases and pursue relevant lines of investigation.
Those within the project team will work closely with other Casework team members to effectively manage these cases, with a focus on making objective, evidence-based and well-reasoned recommendations.
The Forensic Opportunities Project is expected to last for 12 months and is an area of high priority for the CCRC, meaning some of our recruitment timescales might be a little condensed. We are also happy to receive applications from those looking to join the project on a loan basis (i.e. on CCRC terms & conditions)., The Forensic Opportunities Trawl (FOT) project will review closed CCRC applications where the applicant was convicted of rape or murder before 1 January 2016 and the identity of the offender is in issue. The objective of the FOT is to identify those cases where there are forensic opportunities and to pursue relevant lines of investigation, Investigations Advisers are responsible for carrying out the thorough and timely analysis, evaluation and assessment of cases at phase 2 of the CCRC’s forensic opportunities trawl, identifying those which present forensic opportunities and advising on investigative steps.
Key Tasks:
+ Managing a high volume of case analysis, evaluations and assessment, ensuring prompt progress of all cases.
+ Retrieving and reviewing all relevant case material from the CCRC’s records, including internal documents and material obtained from public and private bodies including investigation, prosecution, court, defence and forensic files.
+ Preparing an accurate, clear and concise summary of the case, identifying the case background, prosecution and defence cases, key prosecution and defence evidence, and the forensic issues at trial, appeal and previous CCRC applications.
+ Identifying any potential forensic opportunities which might affect the safety of the conviction.
+ Identifying cases where further information is required to complete the phase 2 assessment and tasking investigators or support staff to obtain that information
+ Tasking investigators or support staff to undertake further research as the case requires, including where appropriate, identifying whether exhibits which could yield forensic material are retained and where they are stored and located.
+ Applying the assessment criteria, making objective, evidence-based and well reasoned recommendations as to whether cases should pass to phase 3, or not, and the degree of priority to be afforded to the case.
+ Where cases pass to phase 3, providing advice on potential lines of investigation.
+ Presenting accurate data, findings and recommendations to oversight panels in writing and orally.
+ Providing advice to Case Review Managers on re-application cases which, but for the re-application, would have been within the parameters of the FOT.
+ Communicating effectively with stakeholders and colleagues in a remote working environment.
+ Liaising with the regular casework team as required eg to share lessons, seek advice, obtain information.
+ Maintaining accurate records of cases assessed, under assessment and yet to be assessed, including Word documents, Excel spreadsheets and the Dynamics case management system.
+ Identifying and sharing opportunities for organisational improvement within the project and regular casework
+ Ensuring compliance with the CCRC’s obligations on disclosure, security and confidentiality of information and under the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime.
+ Keeping up to date with developing law, practice and policy, taking responsibility for their own learning and development, seeking advice where appropriate, and sharing knowledge with colleagues.
+ Any other tasks identified commensurate with the role, We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Making Effective Decisions
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Delivering at Pace
+ Working Together, 2. Essential criteria - evidence of how you meet the criteria listed within the Person Specification. Once you have submitted your application form, if you have met the Lead Criteria you will be asked to address a number of questions which have been designed to assess the essential criteria of the role. It is essential that you provide evidence, using examples, of proven experience when addressing these questions (up to 500 words for each).
The panel will complete the initial sift on 26 November 2024, or soon thereafter. Due to a high level of queries received, we kindly ask that you do not contact us for updates before this time. Regardless of the outcome, we will contact all applicants.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a panel interview during week commencing 2 December 2024 via Microsoft Teams. This will be a blended interview based on Civil Service Success Profiles Behaviours and Experience.
On the day of the interview, in the morning, candidates will be asked to complete a case study task. Candidates will be provided with details of an example case via email and will have 1 hour to submit a written briefing. Candidates will then present their briefing at the start of the interview in the afternoon for the panel to ask any relevant questions.
Candidates will also be asked to undertake a short online questionnaire ahead of their interview, that aligns with the behaviours and strengths required for this role. Instructions will be provided to shortlisted candidates only.
One of our HR colleagues will be on hand to answer any queries you may have throughout the process.
Please note, the above dates are subject to change. It may not be possible to accommodate alternative requests for assessment and interviews. Please refer to candidate pack for the indicative timeline.
As part of our application process, you will be prompted to provide details of any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process that you need. If you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments before applying, do contact the HR team in the first instance.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist 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)

Our ideal candidates will be those who are PIP 3 qualified (or equivalent) and who have significant experience of putting this into practice. We are looking for people who have experience of leading and managing complex major & serious crime investigations, as well as of identifying forensic issues (including DNA developments), specifically within homicide or RASSO cases., + Lead: Successfully completed PIP 3 SIO Development Programme (College of Policing Core and Major Crime) or equivalent investigative qualification.
+ Comprehensive experience of leading and managing complex major & serious crime investigations including Homicide and/or RASSO offences.
+ Experience of identifying forensic issues including scientific developments such as DNA within Homicide and/or RASSO cases (including rape cases where identity is an issue).
+ Experience of identifying and implementing investigative strategies including forensics
+ Experience of managing multiple lines of enquiry within a high-volume caseload with competing deadlines and conflicting priorities
+ Strong analytical and reasoning skills and experience of researching and analysing complex forensic evidential issues and data.
+ Experience of identifying learning/best practice and implementation at organisational level.
+ Experience of police case management systems, forensic management systems and case file submission.
+ Excellent oral and written communication skills. Able to present information and views clearly, accurately and concisely, both face to face and in writing.
+ The ability to build strong working relationships and operate in a remote working environment
+ Enthusiasm for new technology, ability and willingness to use up-to-date IT equipment and packages including MS Word, Outlook and Excel.
+ Understands the CCRC’s role in the criminal justice system, the legal framework of the CCRC and the restrictions and powers granted to it, Successfully completed PIP 3 SIO Development Programme (College of Policing Core and Major Crime) or equivalent investigative qualification.

Alongside your salary of £48,825, Criminal Cases Review Commission contributes £14,144 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
We offer a wide range of benefits, including flexible working options. You can also look forward to:
+ A Civil Service pension - this will see us making a significant contribution to your pension fund
+ 29 days' annual leave allowance (pro rata), in addition to eight statutory bank holidays and special leave allowance for your birthday
+ Generous paid maternity, paternity and shared parental leave (SPL) which is in excess of the statutory minimum
+ We have flexible working patterns, including access to a flexible working scheme;
+ We also operate a flexi time system which means you can build up to two additional days off per month
+ Remote working (anywhere in the UK) - we will supply all the kit you need to work from home comfortably and safely
+ Reimbursement for any travel, subsistence, and expenses
+ 3 paid volunteering days per year
+ Access to retail discounts and a cashback site
+ Occupational Health Services and an Employee Assistance Programme
+ Free eye tests and a contribution towards lenses or spectacles for VDU users
To find out more and apply, please visit our website.