Address
Form of work
SalaryThe Serious Organised Crime and International Criminality Directorate sits within the Public Safety Group in the Home Office. The purpose of the Directorate is to support the delivery of Home Office objectives – in particular to cut crime and protect the public – by strengthening and delivering international cooperation on law enforcement and criminal justice as well as tackling serious organised crime domestically in the UK and overseas.
The post holder will lead the UK’s approach to international Judicial Cooperation on criminal justice matters, including leading the extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance policy teams. They will also be responsible for the UK’s International Agreements on law enforcement and criminal justice – both in terms of ensuring the effective functioning of existing agreements, such as Part 3 of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, and negotiating new agreements driven by the operational requirements of UK operational partners.
The post holder will also need to be flexible to take on other international criminality cooperation responsibilities in response to Ministerial priorities, in particular on law enforcement cooperation in the second half of 2024 given the pressures on the wider directorate to deliver the INTERPOL General Assembly in the UK in November 2024..
The post holder will need to work closely with a wide range of partners across government (FCDO, UKMIS and Cabinet Office) as well as operational agencies (eg NCA and CPS). Excellent stakeholder management skills for policy development and managing sensitive operational issues with public safety implications will be essential.
The Directorate is currently based jointly in central London (2 Marsham Street) and – as part of the Places for Growth agenda – in a growing second hub based in Salford. The post holder can be based in Home Office accommodation either in central London or in Salford.
Occasional travel domestically – in particular to/from London/Salford – may be necessary. It will also require some travel internationally
Lead a team of approx. 25 people in accordance with the Civil Service Leadership Statement with a focus on promoting diversity and inclusion.
International Agreements:
- Lead the Home Office’s work to develop and deliver priorities for bilateral and multilateral agreements on law enforcement and criminal justice, including to enhance the operation of existing agreements. Plan and where relevant lead negotiation of agreements that will enable the UK to better tackle international criminality and work with other global partners to protect the public.
- Lead work on the Trade and Cooperation Agreement TCA with the EU on law enforcement and criminal justice cooperation, including operation of the Specialised Committee on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, and advise Ministers on issues arising from our relationship with the EU in this area.
- Represent the UK in international fora on international law enforcement and criminal justice matters, coordinate international engagement on law enforcement and criminal justice cooperation, and support Ministers and senior officials in their responsibilities to Parliament in this area (including support for Select Committees appearances). Plan and manage delivery of primary and secondary legislation on international law enforcement and criminal justice.
- Lead production and interpretation of system metrics for cross-border law enforcement and criminal justice capabilities in order to inform strategy, drive decision-making and monitor impact, working with operational partners and the Joint International Crime Centre.
Judicial Cooperation:
- Lead Home Office policy on international Judicial Cooperation in criminal matters, including leading policy development and advice to Ministers on extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance policy, and handling advice on high-profile or unusual cases, working closely with the UK Central Authority. Sustain and develop the relevant operational communities and engagement fora.
- Oversee the running of the UK Desk at Eurojust.
