Details
Reference number
479895
Salary
£42,410
New entrants to the Civil Service will start their role on the salary band minimum of £42,410
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
Job grade
Senior Executive Officer
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
MHRA - Safety and Surveillance Group - Criminal Enforcement Unit
Type of role
Investigation
Working pattern
Flexible working, Full-time
Number of jobs available
5
Contents
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Location
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About the job
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Benefits
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Things you need to know
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Apply and further information
Location
Remote working (anywhere in the UK)
About the job
Job summary
We are currently looking for five Investigators to join our Criminal Enforcement Unit Function within the Safety & Surveillance group
These are permanent full-time opportunities. These roles are home-based but will require occasional travel to 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU or South Mimms, Hertfordshire. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.
Who are we?
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.
The Criminal Enforcement Unit (CEU) is the dedicated law enforcement function of the MHRA. Its strategic aim is to reduce and eliminate offences involving medicines and medical devices, protecting public health and maintaining confidence in the UK's regulatory framework.
The Unit investigates serious and organised crime linked to the illegal manufacture, importation and supply of medicines and medical devices, using intelligence-led approaches to identify threats and target those who seek to profit from criminality. We work closely with law enforcement, government, regulatory and international partners to protect the public and safeguard the integrity of the UK's medicines and medical devices supply chains.
The Unit comprises a highly skilled multidisciplinary workforce with experience drawn from policing, Regional Organised Crime Units, the National Crime Agency, intelligence, regulatory enforcement and other specialist disciplines. The CEU consists of seven teams, each reporting to a Grade 7 Senior Manager. These teams are aligned to one of two Commands: Intelligence and Innovation, and Investigation and Disruption. Each is led by a Head of Command, who reports directly to the Deputy Director of Criminal Enforcement.
Working in the CEU offers the opportunity to contribute directly to protecting public health, tackling crime, and making a tangible impact on the safety of patients and the wider public.
Job description
The Investigator role is an SEO grade working within the Investigation and Disruption Command. Their core responsibilities include:
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Leading complex criminal investigations and disruption activity, targeting serious and organised criminality.
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Developing and delivering intelligence-led investigative and disruption strategies to protect the public.
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Working across multidisciplinary teams and with law enforcement, regulatory and other partners.
Key responsibilities:
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Lead complex investigations from initial intelligence through to prosecution, disruption or other appropriate intervention.
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Develop and deliver proportionate tactical and strategic disruption outcomes to prevent and reduce criminal activity.
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Ensure investigations are conducted in accordance with all relevant legislation, policy, and evidential and disclosure requirements.
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Provide advice and oversight to ensure high-quality, impactful criminal justice outcomes.
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
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Be an experienced criminal investigator with a recent strong track record of leading complex investigations.
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Have recent experience investigating serious and organised crime and delivering impactful criminal justice and disruption outcomes.
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Have extensive knowledge of investigative powers, legislation, evidence, intelligence and criminal justice processes.
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Be a confident decision-maker, able to manage competing priorities, influence partners and deliver high quality outcomes.
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Recent experience within an investigative, law enforcement setting
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Planning, prioritising and coordinating competing workstreams, ensuring high-quality outcomes are delivered within agreed timescales.
If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification! (specifically, Experience, Technical 1, Technical 5)
Please note: The job description may not open in some internet browsers. Please use Chrome or Microsoft Edge. If you have any issue viewing the job description, please contact [email protected]
Qualifications
Formal accreditation under the Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP) 2 or equivalent.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Changing and Improving
- Managing a Quality Service
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Formal accreditation under the Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP) to level 1 or 2 (investigator) or equivalent, or demonstrable competence to practitioner level against core GCFP professional standards
- Ability to lead and support criminal investigations into serious and complex crime, gathering and evaluating evidence, and preparing case files and associated documentation
- A sound understanding of relevant legislation including PACE, RIPA and CPIA
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £42,410, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes £12,286 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides .
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Annual Leave: 25 days annual leave on entry, rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff. PLUS 8 bank holidays
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Privilege Leave: 1 day
- Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff
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Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): One month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months full pay/five months half pay
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Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allowing staff to be mobile across the Civil Service
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Civil Service Pension Scheme. Please see the link for further information http://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/ For enquiries relating to the Civil Service Pension Schemes please contact MyCSP's Pension Service Centre directly on 0300 123 6666
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Flexible working to ensure staff maintain a healthy work-life balance
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Interest free season ticket loan or bike loan
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Employee Assistance Services and access to the Civil Service Benevolent Fund
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Eligibility to join Motoring , Boundless by CSMA
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Variety of staff and Civil Service clubs
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On-going learning and development
Things you need to know
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
Please submit an anonymised CV which sets out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role.
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Online application form, including questions based on the Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profiles. Please ensure all application questions are completed in full; your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank..
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Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.
In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of: PIP 2 qualified (or equivalent) and recent experience within an investigative, law enforcement setting.
Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role. Applications are scored based on the competency-based answers provided- ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time. You can view the competencies for this role in the job description.
If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact [email protected] as soon as possible.
Closing date: 25 September 2026
Shortlisting date: 28 September 2026 onwards
Interview date: 13 November 2026 onwards
If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact [email protected]
Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check as well as animal rights and pro-life activism checks. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.
Certain roles within the MHRA will require post holders to have vaccinations, and in some circumstances, routine health surveillance. These roles include:
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Laboratory-based roles working directly with known pathogens
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Maintenance roles, particularly those required to work in laboratory settings
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Roles that involve visiting other establishments where vaccination is required
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Roles required to travel overseas where specific vaccination may be required.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Any move to the MHRA 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 here.
Successful candidates may be subject to annual Occupational Health reviews dependent on role requirements. If you have any queries, please contact [email protected].
Individuals appointed on level transfer will retain their existing salary and are responsible for ensuring they fully understand the financial implications of any potential move and the impact (if any) on their terms. If an individual is in any doubt, they should seek clarification before accepting a job offer.
Staff joining on promotion will receive up to a 10% increase of their current basic salary, or the pay band minimum, whichever is the greater.
The individual will not retain any allowances paid by the former department/Agency, unless there are special circumstances, such as a reserved right to those allowances on transfer.
In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment on the basis of merit by a fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should firstly contact [email protected]
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk
Civil Service Commission
Room G/8
1 Horse Guards Road
London
SW1A 2HQ
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
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)
- 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
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
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.
Diversity and Inclusion
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 .
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Matt Hewson
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Email : [email protected]
Recruitment team
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Email : [email protected]
Further information
In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment on the basis of merit by a fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact the Resourcing team at [email protected], in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk - [email protected] - Civil Service Commission Room G/8 1 Horse Guards Road London SW1A 2HQ