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Location
About the job
Job summary
The Homeland Security Group (HSG) unites capabilities and expertise to deliver better outcomes from the UK’s response to the most serious domestic threats – Terrorism, Cyber, State Threats and Economic Crime.
The group will strengthen coordination and collective focus across a range of growing and overlapping threats, whilst remaining consistent with existing strategies. Working with partners, HSG will foster more transparent and sustainable collaboration between national security, law enforcement and other relevant communities to enhance capabilities and leverage our response to threats.
As a part of the Home Office, the role of the Homeland Security Group is to:
- Support the Home Secretary to develop and implement strategies to keep our people and interests safe and secure.
- Build HMG capabilities to reduce national security risk.
- Reduce volume of, and harm from, economic crime, particularly for the most vulnerable.
- Work in partnership with public and private sectors in the UK and overseas to deliver better outcomes.
- Ensure legitimate economic growth and prosperity.
Job description
The Special Cases Unit (SCU) is the immigration arm of HSG. It manages some of the most significant and high harm immigration, asylum and citizenship cases, including suspected terrorists, extremists, war criminals and individuals involved in organised crime.
In support of these functions, SCU works with security agencies, the Police, UK Visas & Immigration, Border Force, Immigration Enforcement, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the National Crime Agency, as well as the Home Secretary and Ministerial offices. SCU is a fast-paced environment in which to work, where you will contribute to public safety, control of immigration and the national security of the UK.
On the War Crimes Team, we primarily handle Article 1F Refugee Convention exclusion cases and War Crimes related immigration queries however, the scope and remit of the team has developed recently, and we are seeking a HEO War Crimes Researcher to join our growing team.
We are looking for one individual with an analytical mindset who thrive in a fast-paced environment. We are a small team with a shared, positive attitude and we invite applications from individuals who have experience in undertaking research on human rights and/or related issues and have an interest in ensuring that the UK is not a safe haven for war criminals. This is a new area of work for our team and the successful candidates will have the opportunity to help build capabilities in this area and play a role in developing and growing relationships with national and international partners with a view to enhance the team’s understanding of core international crimes (War Crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide).
Special Cases Unit have sites Croydon, London, and Liverpool. This post will be based in Liverpool or Croydon.
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estates capacity, by Spring 2024. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details).
Person specification
As a HEO War Crimes Researcher, you would be responsible for:
- Analysing and investigating developments in the field of core international crimes by monitoring a range of reputable sources covering the human rights situation in relevant countries and geographical areas.
- Producing bespoke country specific products with a focus on War Crimes and crimes against humanity that will be used to assist in the identification of individuals and groups of interest, for preparation and completion of War Crimes interviews and as a guiding tool for Article 1F decision making.
- Delivering presentations on complex research topics to a range of audiences, including 1F caseworkers and wider stakeholders to ensure individuals suspected of core international crimes are correctly identified and Article 1F exclusion can be pursed where applicable.
- Making effective sift decisions on a cohort of complex case referrals received from across the Home Office and wider government including the Security Services, National Crime Agency, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and UK police forces primarily of individuals suspected of involvement in War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity.
- Working closely with the SEO Research and Referrals Lead to develop and maintain working relationships with key national and international partners including academics, NGOs, and International Tribunals to drive the team’s understanding of core international crimes.
- Attending and seeking out opportunities and events on contemporary issues in International Humanitarian Law to enable the team to stay up to date with the most recent research and evidence in the field.
Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement, for the successful candidates to be able to work at least 30 hours per week, over 5 days.
Essential Criteria
You’ll have a demonstrable passion for delivery with the following skills or strong experience in:
- Experience of working in an open-source research-based role.
- Strong communication and analytical skills with experience of effectively communicating key information verbally, in writing or through data visuals.
- Excellent written skills, including evidence of high-level drafting and quality assurance.
- An ability to build professional relationships and work collaboratively across organisational boundaries, actively encouraging and providing opportunities for others to share ideas and/or contribute to your work.
- Able to work at pace, remain flexible and adapt approaches to changing or competing business needs.
Desirable Criteria
For this role, the below experience would be beneficial, but is not essential:
- An interest in core international crimes and/or human rights issues.
- Working knowledge of overt and/or covert Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) techniques.
- Working knowledge of UK Immigration system.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Delivering at Pace
- Seeing the Big Picture
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Making Effective Decisions
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
As part of the application, you will be asked to complete:
- A CV (job history/qualifications/skills)
- Statement of Suitability (Personal statement) (750 words maximum)
- Evidence of the lead behaviour 'Making Effective Decisions'. (250 words maximum).
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
The Statement of Suitability must be aligned to demonstrate your skills and experience for the role and how you meet the essential criteria as detailed in the job advertisement.
Your CV should consist of your career history, including any key achievements in each role.
Your CV will not be scored, but instead will be used to provide further context on your personal statement, and support conversations at interview.
In an event where a high volume of applications are received, an initial sift will take place using the Statement of Suitability. Candidates who pass the initial sift will be either progressed to a full sift or straight to interview.
Successful candidates shortlisted for interview will be tested on all behaviours outlined in the job advertisement
You will also be asked to deliver a 5-minute presentation to the panel. The subject of which will be provided when the results of the application sift are released.
Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. All applications are screened for plagiarism and copying and generating of examples/answers from internet sources including Artificial Intelligence. If any is detected the application may be withdrawn from the process. Further action, including disciplinary action, may be considered in such cases involving civil servants. Providing false or misleading information would be contrary to the core values of honesty and integrity expected of all Civil Servants.
Sift and Interview dates
Sift is expected to take place week commencing 15th March 2024.
Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 31st March 2024.
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.
Interviews will take place remotely. Candidates will be required to have access to:
- A laptop (personal or work) with a working webcam
- Good internet connection
- Microsoft Teams
It is advisable to access your interview from a windows operating system laptop, desktop, phone, or tablet as there is no guarantee that Microsoft Teams will work without issue on an Apple laptop, tablet, or desktop.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to time constraints we may not be able to offer alternative interview date(s). It is therefore expected that candidates who are successful at sift stage will make themselves available during the above time frame given.
Further details and instructions will be provided closer to the scheduled interview.
Further Information
For meaningful checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time to enable appropriate checks to be carried out and produce a result which provides the required level of assurance. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years if the role requires CTC clearance, 5 years for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. A lack of UK residency in itself is not necessarily a bar to a security clearance and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
A location based reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.
When completing your application you will have the opportunity to select your preferred location(s). Please ensure you select all locations you are interested in. Candidates who are successful at Interview will be placed in order of merit per location and provisional job offers will be made in strict merit order per location preference. Provisional offers are made, as they are on condition that you successfully pass all pre-employment checks.
We often have similar roles available at different grades. If a candidate is suitable for a similar role or a lower grade than they have applied for, we may offer the candidate that role without the need for them to go through a further selection process.
DV clearance or a willingness to undergo DV clearance is an essential requirement for this role. Successful candidates will be permitted to start with SC whilst they undergo the DV clearance processes.
Every day, Home Office civil servants do brilliant work to develop and deliver policies and services that affect the lives of people across the country and beyond. To do this effectively and fairly, the Home Office is committed to representing modern Britain in all its diversity, and creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people are able to bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best.
We are flexible, skilled, professional and diverse. We work to recruit and retain disabled staff and area Disability Confident Leader. We are proud to be one of the most ethnically diverse departments in the civil service. We are a Social Mobility Foundation top 75 employer.
For further information please see the attached notes for candidates which must be read before making an application.
Existing Civil Servants should note that some of the Home Office terms and conditions of employment have changed. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the Terms and Conditions they will adopt should they be successful in application and should refer to the notes for candidates for further details.
Transfer Terms: Voluntary.
If you are invited to an interview you will be required to bring a range of documentation for the purposes of establishing identity and to aid any pre-employment checks.
Please see the attached list of Home Office acceptable ID documents.
Any move to the Home Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Reasonable Adjustments
If a person with disabilities is at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
- Complete the “Assistance Required” section in the “Additional Requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a language service professional
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
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
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team
