Vacancy -- Criminal Investigation Specialist

Working for the Civil Service

The Welsh Government's recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

Vacancy Details

Chief Operating Officer’s Group
Registration and Enforcement Team
SEO - £41,700 - £49,370
A starting salary of up to point 3 (£45,970) may be considered for candidates who demonstrate the essential skills, knowledge and experience to an exceptional level.
Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)
Permanent
Other location
This role can be based in either the CIW Merthyr, Carmarthen or Llandudno Junction Office. Colleagues are expected to work from a blend of locations, including some time working at home, as required. The agreed office location will be the designated place of work and any remote or home working arrangement does not constitute a change to your designated place of work or contractual terms and conditions. The successful candidate will be expected to pay for their commute to their normal place of work. Travel across Wales may be required.
TBC

Purpose of Post:

CIW is the independent regulator of social care and childcare. CIW registers, inspects and takes action to improve the quality and safety of services for the well-being of the people of Wales. Inspection and enforcement are key functions in the delivery of safe, high quality regulated services to the citizens of Wales. 

The primary tasks of the Criminal Investigation Specialist will be to oversee the criminal enforcement function of the Inspectorate. The Criminal Investigation Specialist will assist and support in the effective, timely and efficient management of criminal investigations. 

The Criminal Investigation Specialist will report to the Head of Registration and Enforcement and will have a critical function to perform in ensuring the effective and timely delivery of CIW’s criminal investigation functions across the full spectrum of regulated services under the Registration and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 and the Children and Families (Wales) Measure 2010. 

Key tasks:

As a Criminal Investigation Specialist your main responsibilities will be:

  • Undertaking a range of criminal investigations ensuring they are conducted in accordance with best practice and relevant legislation e.g. PACE , RIPA, CPIA, GDPR.
  • Leading inspectors undertaking a range of criminal investigations ensuring they are conducted in accordance with best practice and relevant legislation e.g. PACE , RIPA, CPIA, GDPR.
  • Overseeing the work of inspectors and allocation of cases, supporting inspectors to proactively manage their investigations, providing technical guidance, to ensure timely delivery of case work to the required standards.
  • Mentoring and imparting investigation knowledge to inspectors.
  • To be responsible for allocating work to designated inspectors in a timely and efficient way and in accordance with organisational processes and requirements.
  • Supporting the development of staff in the team by providing induction training, briefings and acting as mentor or coach with staff members.
  • Assisting with the delivery of effective quality assurance audits and reviews as required.
  • To ensure the provision of regular reflective practice sessions for inspectors.
  • Observation and monitoring of investigation practice to identify and share good practice and areas for professional development.
  • Attending court as a witness.
  • Contributing to discussions with Legal Services and Counsel.
  • Working collaboratively with external agencies including Law Enforcement Partners, Investigators, as well as Regulatory Bodies to ensure enforcement action is progressed appropriately and promptly.
  • To champion and contribute to Enforcement practice and guidance in CIW.
  • Work closely with colleagues across the Inspectorate to share intelligence.
  • To be responsible for promoting a culture of continuous improvement, where issues of diversity and equality are fully addressed and integrated into regulatory practice and act as champion for change as required by the organisation.
  • To take responsibility for ensuring compliance with Welsh Government Health and Safety policies and procedures within the area of responsibility. 
  • To support the Head of Registration and Enforcement reporting on the Inspectorate’s criminal investigation activity to Enforcement Board.
  • To present criminal investigation reports to Enforcement Board.
  • Take responsibility for own performance management and own professional development, including keeping abreast of relevant policy and legislative developments and seek appropriate development opportunities in accordance with the Welsh Government’s performance and development process and in discussion with the Head of Registration and Enforcement. 
  • To undertake any other such task necessary to the role of criminal investigation specialist.

Development opportunities:

This posts offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic organisation which champions improvements in social care through a citizen focussed approach.

Closing Date:

28/04/2023, 16:00

Eligibility

Posts recruited to as part of this recruitment campaign are broadly open to UK nationals, those with right to remain and work in the UK and those that meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules only. Check your eligibility here:

Prior to appointment, all successful applicants will be required to produce original, acceptable documents as part of the pre-employment checks. If it becomes apparent at a later stage in the process that you aren’t eligible to apply, your application will be withdrawn, or offer retracted.

Equality and Diversity

The Welsh Government is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and which promote equality of opportunity. This is underpinned by the Equality Act 2010 and will be adhered to at each stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure that these commitments are also embedded in our day-to-day working practices with all our customers, colleagues and partners.

We are committed to being an anti-racist organisation and increasing diversity in the Welsh Government by removing barriers and supporting all our staff to reach their potential. We are committed to recruiting Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people and disabled people who are currently under-represented in Welsh Government.

We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, marriage and civil partnership (both same sex and opposite sex), impairment or health condition, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, gender identity or gender expression.

We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion and a Disability Confident Level 3 (Leader) organisation. Key to supporting this work and providing peer support are five Board sponsored Staff Networks (Disability Awareness and Support (DAAS); Minority Ethnic Support Network (MESN); Mind Matters (Mental health and well-being); PRISM (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex +) and Women Together.

Disability Confident

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

Welsh Language Requirements

The Welsh Government is a bilingual organisation and Welsh language skills are considered an asset to the organisation. We encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills in the workplace. 

The following list of language requirements represents an objective assessment by the line manager on behalf of the Welsh Government of the Welsh language skills required to undertake the duties of this particular post.

Not necessary to undertake the duties of this post

Social Partnership

In Welsh Government, the relationship between the employer and trade unions is based on social partnership. We believe our goals can best be achieved by management and trade unions working together.

Our 3 recognised trade unions are:
•         PCS
•         Prospect
•         FDA

This relationship is underpinned by a partnership agreement. This sets out how our unions work with Welsh Government on issues such as:
•         pay
•         terms and conditions
•         policies and procedures
•         organisational change.

Our Welsh Government trade union colleagues work together to give their members a real say in the workplace. They make sure that the interests of their members are promoted and protected. They also help reduce inequalities and improve terms and conditions.

The Welsh Government has an excellent track record of working in partnership with its trade unions. We encourage staff to get involved. We support you to join a recognised trade union, to ensure your voice is heard in the workplace. and to learn more about trade unions and partnership working.

Competencies / Job Specific Criteria

Competencies

Setting Direction – Seeing the Big Picture

  • Seek to understand how services, activities & strategies in the area work together to create value for the customer/end user.

Setting Direction – Making Effective Decisions

  • Recognise patterns and trends in a wide range of evidence/data and draw key conclusions, outlining costs, benefits, risks and potential responses.

Engaging People – Leading and Communicating

  • Communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner with all stakeholders and stand ground when needed.

Delivering Results – Delivering at Pace

  • Plan ahead but reassess workloads and priorities if situations change or people are facing conflicting demands.

Job Specific Criteria 

  1. At least 5 years’ experience as a police officer or at least 5 years’ experience as a civilian criminal investigator with Professionalising Investigations Programme Level 1 accreditation.
  2. Significant experience of conducting criminal investigations, including experience of drafting and quality assuring complex investigative reports. Experience and knowledge around seizure of exhibits, continuity of evidence, and seize/sift legislation, including experience in disclosure, and scheduling of material, and knowledge of CPIA legislation. 
  3. Experience and knowledge in the use of investigations techniques to meet operational outcomes, including completing case files and liaising with prosecuting agencies or authorities.

Assessment Process

There are 2 stages to the recruitment process:

Stage 1 – Complete online application and Submit CV (no more than 2 pages) and personal statement

Stage 2 – Interview and assessment.

CIW follow Welsh Government recruitment processes which are competency based application forms and interviews. Please ensure you read the Welsh Government Recruitment Guidance and the CIW Candidate Pack before applying and whilst preparing for interviews and use the STAR approach when providing evidence.

Shortlisting/Sift

Candidates will be shortlisted by assessing the evidence provided within the CV and the uploaded personal statement.

Stage 1 - Sift

Please upload your CV (no more than 2 pages) detailing your current role, previous work history, qualifications and any relevant training. We do not need to see certificates at this stage.

Along with your CV, please ensure you upload a personal statement outlining how you meet the 4 x competencies and the 3 x job specifics in the advert (one example per area = 7 examples in total).  Please ensure you use headings so the panel are able to see what competency or job specific area your evidence relates too.

If the volume of applications is high, the panel may only shortlist based on your responses to the 3 job specific criteria.  Please note, you still need to provide a written response in relation to the 4 competencies to successfully pass the shortlisting stage.

You will be notified of the outcome via the on-line system. Minimum written feedback will be provided at sift stage.

Stage 2  - Interview

If you pass the sift stage you will be invited to attend a virtual interview via teams. Candidates may be asked to undertake an assessment or presentation as part of the interview process. If this is the case, we will provide a minimum of 5 working days notice of the requirements.

If the post requires Welsh language skills there will also be a Welsh language written assessment.

If for any reason you are unable to undergo an online interview please let us know and we can seek to make alternative arrangements where possible. 

If you are a disabled person, have an impairment or health condition, are neurodivergent or if you use BSL and wish to request a reasonable adjustment or alternative arrangements please contact us by sending an email to CIWHR@gov.wales.

At sift and interview stage you will be assessed using the scoring matrix (see External Candidate Guidance at para 6) against the 4 competencies and 3 job specific criteria as set out in the job description/job advert

Other Information

  • Unless stated otherwise in ‘actual starting salary’, all candidates will start at the minimum of the pay scale being appointed to (this includes existing civil servants).This is not negotiable.
  • Unless stated otherwise in ‘type of opportunity’, this recruitment advert is not open on a Loan or Secondment basis.
  • For more information on the eligibility criteria and terms and conditions for Loan and Secondment positions in Welsh Government, please see external recruitment candidate guidance.
  • Unless stated otherwise in ‘Location of Post’ the role/s recruited to via this campaign can only be worked in the UK, not overseas.

Salary

A starting salary of up to point 3 (£45,970) may be considered where the essential skills, knowledge and experience are demonstrated at the interview.

Welsh Language Skills

Welsh language skills are not essential for these roles. We encourage applications from Welsh speakers and non Welsh speakers to apply for these posts.

Diversity and Inclusion

We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.

Flexible Working - We offer flexible working arrangements to help you get the right work/life balance.  

Annual Leave - Welsh Government offers 31 days annual leave if you work full-time, pro rata for part-time (eg 4 days = 25 days).

Bank Holidays - Full-time employees receive 10 days public and privilege holidays a year, pro-rata for part-time.

Salary - We are a Living Wage employer with incremental pay scales. We also have an equal pay structure, regardless of age, marital status, disability, race, religion or belief, or gender identity. Further information can be found here. https://gov.wales/welsh-government-pay-policy-statement-2020

Essential Car User Allowance - Inspectors, Team Managers and Senior Managers who carry out Inspection and Regulated Activity are eligible for an Essential Car User Allowance (ECUA) allowance of £1,000 per year if you use your own car and cover in excess of 2,000 statutory miles per year. A valid driving licence and motor insurance is required.

Travel and Subsistence - The Welsh Government will reimburse employees for necessary, additional costs incurred on travel and subsistence whilst undertaking official business travel away from the normal office base.  Expenses which could have been avoided by better planning or which were otherwise unnecessary to the official purpose of the visit will not be reimbursed.

Pension - Further information about the Civil Service Pension scheme can be found here: https://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion - Welsh Government values and supports all its employees. We have strong and proactive staff networks and diversity talent programmes to help everyone, irrespective of background, to achieve their full potential.

Learning and Development - Everyone in Welsh Government is supported to develop their skills and capabilities, which includes access to learning and development with world-class providers.  CIW are committed to Learning and Development and ensure our staff have a minimum of 5 days learning per year.  This is supported by a tailored learning programme for CIW employees. 

Induction - All new starters receive Induction as an employee of Welsh Government.  This is supported by a tailored induction programme for CIW employees.

Civil Service Code - The Civil Service Code sets out the core values and standards expected of all civil servants: integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.  All Civil Servants are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the Civil Service Code, https://beta.gov.wales/civil-service-code


CIW Core Values - Our core values ensure people are at the heart of everything we do and aspire to be as an organisation.

  • Caring: we are compassionate and approachable
  • Fair: we are consistent, impartial and inclusive
  • Integrity: we are honest and trustworthy
  • Professional: we are skilled, knowledgeable and innovative
  • Respect: we listen, engage and value people
Sarah Cullen - Sarah.Cullen1@gov.wales

How to apply

All applications for this vacancy should be made online via the Welsh Government's online application system.  If you have an impairment which would prevent you from applying on-line, please e-mail SharedServiceHelpdesk@gov.wales to request an application pack in an alternative format, or to request a reasonable adjustment related to an impairment in order to submit your application.

To apply, you'll need to have an account on our online application system.  Click the 'Apply' button below, and you'll be asked to 'Log in' if you already have an account, or 'Register' if you don't yet have an account.  Registration takes just a few minutes to complete.  You'll need an e-mail address to be able to register.  Once you've registered for an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the online application form, which you'll need to fully complete and submit before the deadline on the closing date.  

If you’d like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the ‘Newid Iaith / Change Language’ link at the top of this page, to take you to the Welsh version of this advert, from which you can apply in Welsh.

For further information regarding the Welsh Government recruitment process, please see the Recruitment Guidance for External Candidates (link).

When evidencing your suitability for the post, it is recommended that you refer to the Civil Service Competency Framework (link)

Grievance and Complaints

Anyone who believes they have been treated unfairly, or has a grievance or complaint, about how the process was conducted should either write to the Head of Resourcing, Welsh Government, Cathays Park 2, Cardiff CF10 3NQ or email SharedServiceHelpdesk@gov.wales.  If you are unhappy with the outcome of the complaint raised with the Welsh Government and feel that the principles of appointment on merit through fair and open competition have not been met you have the right to pursue your grievance with the Civil Service Commission.

This vacancy is closed to applications.