Overview
Join to apply for the Communications Data Investigator role at HM Revenue & Customs.
This range is provided by HM Revenue & Customs. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 20th October 2025
Role can be based Hybrid/Flexi hours 60%
Working week from Salford Hub M3
About us
HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service (FIS) is responsible for the department’s civil and criminal investigations. Covert Operations, Digital Exploitation (CODE) sits within FIS. CODE provides investigative tools and covert techniques to front-line investigations and works with key partners to develop and provide access to new technology and systems to enable investigators to respond to serious and complex tax evasion and crime.
This is an exciting opportunity to join HMRC’s Communications Data Unit (CDU) within FIS Digital Operations. Communications Data (CD) forms a pivotal part of HMRC criminal and civil investigations, where you will act as a Single Point of Contact (SPoC). The CDU team of SPoCs assess whether applications for CD comply with the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 legislation and IPA Codes of Practice. The job consists of multiple process-driven roles across a collaborative environment.
The CDU has two teams based in London and Manchester; these posts are for the Manchester team based in HMRC’s Manchester Regional Centre (Three New Bailey, New Bailey Street, Salford, Manchester, M3 5FS).
There will be occasions when overnight stays and travel to the London team will be required (Stratford Regional Centre, 14 Westfield Avenue, London E20 1HZ).
Travel and overnight stays will also be required at other HMRC locations / external training events nationally.
The post holder will be a key member of the team utilising an array of bespoke systems to lawfully acquire communications data in support of serious tax evasion and fraud investigations. This is predominantly an office based role supporting HMRC operational investigation teams.
The CDU SPoC is responsible for the lawful acquisition of communications data, in accordance with the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA), and for providing specialist advice to HMRC operational teams dealing with proactive and reactive investigations, crimes in action and intelligence operations.
Person specification
As part of the role, you will:
* Be part of a team providing expert advice and support to operational teams in the acquisition and use of Communications Data.
* Manage CDU related queries that come into the team mailbox.
* Review and quality assure applications for Communications Data to ensure compliance with the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA) and associated Codes of Practice / legislation, in particular with regard to necessity, proportionality and minimisation of collateral intrusion.
* Where standards are not met, to return applications and provide advice and guidance to the applicant / investigation team determining the most appropriate means of developing the required intelligence/evidence relevant to the investigation.
* Identify, acquire and interpret communications data from Telecommunications / Postal Operators (TO/PO), to support investigations and crime prevention activity.
* Evaluate acquired data to ensure compliance with Notices or Authorisations issued to Telecommunications and Postal operators and compliance with legal frameworks and operational policies.
* Participate in operational planning where Communications Data is key to the success of an investigation.
* Use a variety of HMRC and external service providers’ online systems to lawfully acquire Communications Data.
* Provide a professional service and maintain integrity when dealing with sensitive issues. Protect methods and tactics as outlined within the relevant Codes of Practice and other Policies.
* Represent HMRC at meetings / events with external partners and maintain professional relationships with service providers.
* Have the ability to communicate complex technical issues effectively to others, less technically competent.
* Keep up to date with changing / emerging technologies.
* Maintain the College of Policing Accreditation through Continuous Professional Development mandatory training, tradecraft events and distance learning events.
* Maintain a current working knowledge of relevant legislations, including Human Rights Act, Investigatory Powers Act 2016, Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, Data Protection Act and the Criminal Procedures Investigations Act.
* Mentor and coach colleagues within the CDU, providing opportunities for development and work shadowing.
* Live within reasonable daily travel, of Manchester Regional Centre (Three New Bailey, New Bailey Street, Salford, Manchester, M3 5FS).
Candidates must pass the College of Policing Communications Data Investigator Single Point of Contact (SPoC) accreditation course which is required to perform the role of Communications Data Investigator.
Candidates would benefit from a keen interest or relevant experience in communications and digital data. This will help the chosen candidates lead the way in analysing data from Telecommunications Operators to support case teams in developing effective communication and digital tactics to defend against criminal attacks on the UK tax system.
Operational Delivery Profession
You are applying for an Operational Delivery Profession (ODP) role. Please tell us about any ODP experience or qualifications you have. This is not essential for the role but may be considered by the vacancy-holder where candidates have the same score at sift or interview.
Training
In order to be able to carry out this role there will be periods of training with the CDU team in Manchester and London.
Occasional travel and overnight stays in London and other locations nationally will be required to facilitate training events, CDU team meetings, operational team meetings and meetings with partner agencies.
The role requires up to 20 weeks of training in addition to the training detailed below. Please contact the CDU on 03000 588247, to discuss this training commitment.
Successful candidates will be required to attend and successfully complete the mandatory College of Policing Communications Data Investigator SPoC Accreditation Course.
There will be a requirement to attend a one week online training course followed by a one week residential course at The College of Policing (Ryton-on-Dunsmore) to attain the “Accredited Officer” status required to perform the role of Communications Data Investigator SPoC (Single Point of Contact).
This course offers an excellent insight into providing specialist advice to proactive and reactive investigations, crimes in action and intelligence operations.
In support of this training the successful applicants will receive one-to-one mentoring in the office environment.
On completion of the College of Policing Accreditation, there will be a requirement to complete a CDU training work book and assessment to demonstrate understanding of the different areas of CDU work.
Additional Security Information
There may be a requirement to obtain Developed Vetting (DV) following completion of training to assist in more sensitive areas of FIS Digital Operations work areas.
Further information regarding security vetting can be found in the following link: Security Vetting and Clearance.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Working Together
* Making Effective Decisions
* Changing and Improving
Alongside your salary of £31,096, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £9,008 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.
We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.
* Pension - We make contributions to our colleagues’ Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary.
* Family friendly policies.
* Personal support.
* Coaching and development.
To find out more about HMRC benefits and find out what it’s really like to work for HMRC, hear from our insiders or visit Thinking of joining the Civil Service
Things you need to know.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
How to Apply
As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide the following:
* A name-blind CV including your job history and previous experiences.
* A 500-word Personal Statement. Your Personal Statement should be used to describe how your skills and experience would be suitable for the advertised role.
Please evidence any Desirable Criteria where applicable, including any ODP experience or qualifications you have (up to 250 words max). This is not essential for the role but may be considered by the vacancy holder where candidates have the same score at interview.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Seniority level
* Associate
Employment type
* Full-time
Job function
* Accounting/Auditing, Analyst, and Consulting
Industries
* Government Administration, Data Infrastructure and Analytics, and Public Relations and Communications Services
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