The role of Intelligence is to develop the right operations, which target and disrupt - by the most effective means - the offenders who seek to cause the highest harm to the UK. A diverse directorate with a wide variety of unique functions and specialist skillsets in our ranks, some of which we deliver as the national provider for the wider Serious Organised Crime (SOC) system. From our niche technical capabilities, to our overseas network of International Liaison Officers (ILO) and our Tasking teams, there are many component parts which contribute to the efforts of the directorate and the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Information about the Business Area
Intelligence Collection coordinates NCA collection capabilities against the NCA’s highest priorities. Intelligence Collection includes forensics, open source, covert human intelligence sources, undercover officers and technical collection capabilities. This includes responding to threats and exploiting opportunities relating to the use of electronic communications by Subjects of Interest using the various powers conferred within the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA). This is a dynamic and diverse arena with constant and rapid change, suiting those officers who thrive on near constant challenge.
Technical Operations delivers intrusive surveillance capabilities to the NCA, frequently operating in high-risk and complex environments. The Technical Operations Equipment Officer plays a critical support role to frontline deployment teams by ensuring the effective management, accountability, and maintenance of specialist technical equipment.
The Equipment Officer is responsible for maintaining accurate stock control records throughout the full equipment lifecycle. This includes ensuring all new equipment is recorded within the stock control system upon receipt, and that all assets are managed, tracked, and audited in accordance with departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and relevant legal requirements. They ensure that equipment is correctly issued, logged, and stored at all times.
In addition, the role involves supporting the maintenance and standardisation of technical equipment. This is achieved by developing an understanding of how individual components integrate to form operational systems, carrying out software and firmware updates to ensure consistency across equipment models, and building effective working relationships with deployment officers.
Ultimately, the Equipment Officer is responsible for safeguarding the integrity, readiness, and auditability of the equipment used by Technical Operations, ensuring it is fit for purpose and fully compliant with operational and legal standards.
The Equipment Officer is responsible for the management, maintenance, and audit of technical equipment deployed by Technical Officers on operational tasks. This role centres on ensuring the accurate recording, tracking, and accountability of all equipment throughout its use.
The Equipment Officer supports operations by issuing equipment to Technical Officers for specific tasks and recording all transactions within the department’s equipment management system (Obelisk). Upon completion of each task, they are responsible for ensuring a clear and auditable chain of custody, confirming that all equipment has been removed from deployment, returned, and correctly logged back into secure storage in accordance with system procedures.
Although primarily based at a single location, the Equipment Officer may be required to travel within their region to conduct physical stock checks across multiple storage sites, ensuring records remain accurate and compliant.
Additional responsibilities include maintaining technical equipment standards by ensuring firmware is kept up to date and consistent across similar devices, monitoring consumable stock levels within workshops, and ordering replacements as required to maintain operational readiness.
The role also involves producing auditable reports for senior managers, including regular equipment usage reports and ad hoc reports detailing the location and status of operational equipment.
Maintain accurate, auditable equipment records – Use the department’s equipment management system to accurately record all equipment holdings and deployments. Issue equipment to Technical Officers against specific operations, ensuring all transactions are correctly logged. At the conclusion of operations, verify that equipment is returned in a serviceable condition and complete a full audit of its return to storage. Ensure all newly received equipment is promptly recorded within the stock control system.
Develop knowledge of operational equipment – Build and maintain a working understanding of the equipment used by Technical Officers and how it is deployed. Demonstrate a willingness to continuously learn about evolving technologies and operational techniques.
Build effective working relationships – Proactively engage with Technical Officers to develop strong working relationships. Promote awareness and adherence to equipment management processes during both in-hours and out-of-hours operations.
Monitor and maintain software and firmware standards – Develop familiarity with commonly used equipment and perform basic functionality checks where appropriate. Ensure software and firmware versions are regularly reviewed and maintained at consistent and up-to-date standards across devices.
Engage with manufacturers and suppliers – Establish and maintain effective relationships with equipment manufacturers and suppliers. Stay informed of updates to hardware, software, and firmware, and apply this knowledge to maintain equipment standards.
Manage consumable stock levels – Monitor stock levels of consumable items (e.g. batteries, cables, accessories). Work with Technical Officers to understand usage patterns and forecast requirements. Order replacement items in a timely manner to ensure continuity of operational capability.
Produce audit and management reports – Generate accurate and auditable reports on equipment usage, status, and location as required by management. Use the stock control system to support reporting and ensure data integrity.
Communication Skills – Demonstrates strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including senior officers. Able to clearly communicate expectations and ensure adherence to equipment usage Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Confident in identifying, articulating, and escalating potential procedural risks before they develop into issues. Provides regular, clear updates on activities, priorities, and progress.
Technical Awareness – Has an interest in technical equipment and a willingness to develop knowledge of systems used by Technical Officers. Proactively seeks guidance and support to build understanding of equipment under their responsibility.
Planning and Organisation – Demonstrates the ability to effectively manage time, prioritise workloads, and meet deadlines. Ensures tasks are completed to the required standard and within agreed timelines, escalating issues where necessary.
Digital and Systems Proficiency – Proficient in Microsoft Office applications. Able to learn and effectively use internal systems (e.g. Obelisk) to manage equipment records and processes. Capable of producing accurate, auditable reports on equipment usage, movement, and loan activity between operational teams.
Teamwork and Collaboration – Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve shared objectives. Builds positive working relationships and contributes to a team-focused environment, prioritising collective outcomes over individual goals.
All NCA employees are members of the UK Civil Service and eligible for the Civil Service pension scheme, alongside your salary the NCA contributes £10445. Further information on the benefits of the scheme is available on the Civil Service Pension Website.
New entrants to the NCA receive 26 days annual leave, rising to 31 on completion of 5 years continuous service, plus 8 bank holidays.
If qualifying criteria is met new joiners from UK Police Forces or the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC) will have service with those employers taken into account for continuous service purposes for annual leave entitlement only, this will be up to a maximum of 31 days leave (including 1 privilege day).
Other benefits include:
Further information is available on the NCA Website.
CV
Please include your full career history, training, qualifications, key responsibilities, and achievements. Explain any employment gaps in the last two years. Ensure all accreditation dates are accurate.
Details of what is expected within your CV are as follows: Please provide a concise, up-to-date CV demonstrating how you meet the Person Specification outlined in this advert. Your CV should include your full employment history, with explanations for any gaps within the last five years. Please also include details of all relevant qualifications, certifications and professional training.
Longlist
In the event of a high number of applications, we may operate a longlist. Applicants will need to meet the minimum pass mark for the lead criteria.
– Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and other web-based systems. .
Candidates who do not meet the minimum pass mark for the lead criteria will not progress to having their other criteria assessed. Applications must meet the minimum criteria to be progressed to the assessment stage.
You will receive an acknowledgement once your application is submitted.
We aim to have sift completed and scores released within 10 working days of the closing date of the advert. For high volume campaigns this timeframe may be extended.
Scores will be provided but further feedback will not be available at this stage.
The format of this assessment will be Interview which will be tested on the criteria listed in the Success Profiles at Assessment section.
In the event of a tie at the assessment stage, available roles will be offered in merit order using the following order:
Where multiple locations are advertised, appointments will be made in merit order for each location.
Please indicate up to three location preferences clearly. Only your first three preferences will be considered. You may be allocated to any of the locations you select. If you decline an offer for a location you have selected as a preference, a further offer may not be made.
If you choose to reject an offer and no alternative preferred location can be offered, you will not be able to return to the process or be placed on a reserve list.
Only the advertised locations are available; any additional notes added to the application will not be taken into account.
If you meet the criteria for a lower grade, you may be offered that role if not appointable at the advertised grade.
Conversely, if found appointable at a higher grade but no posts are available, you may be offered a lower-grade role.
All offers are made based on merit.
We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and an inclusive, equal opportunities employer.
We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone can be their authentic self. If you’re neurodiverse, have a disability, or live with a long-term health condition, we encourage you to let us know about any reasonable adjustments you may need during the recruitment process.
If you experience accessibility issues with the advert or require reasonable adjustments, please contact our Recruitment Team at Central.Recruitment@nca.gov.uk before the advert closing date.
Please ensure you complete the ‘Equal opportunities’ and ‘Reasonable Adjustments’ sections in the application form to inform us on what support you may need in the recruitment process.
For more on our Disability Confident commitment, visit Disability Confident Scheme | Civil Service Careers.
Visit NCA Benefits and Support for more details.
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
In order to monitor the effectiveness of the National Crime Agency’s Diversity & Inclusion strategy, we require certain personal details about you on submission of your application for statistical and monitoring purposes only. Please note that this will be treated in confidence and will not impact your application.
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit on merit through fair and open competition, in line with the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
If you believe your application has not been treated fairly, email: Central.Recruitment@nca.gov.uk (quoting the vacancy reference).
If unresolved, you may escalate your complaint to the Civil Service Commission.
Name : Central Recruitment Team
Email : Central.Recruitment@nca.gov.uk