Details
Reference number
427809
Salary
£40,040
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
Job grade
Higher Executive Officer
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
Insolvency - Investigation and Enforcement Services
Type of role
Investigation
Working pattern
Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
Number of jobs available
4
Contents
* Location
* About the job
* Benefits
* Things you need to know
* Apply and further information
Location
Stratford and Croydon
About the job
Job summary
Investigation and Enforcement Services (IES) directorate aims to deliver and promote a range of investigation and enforcement activities, both civil and criminal in nature, to support fair and open markets. We do this by effectively enforcing the statutory company and insolvency regimes, maintaining public confidence in those regimes, and reducing the harm caused to victims of fraudulent activity and to the business community.
The Insolvency Service is a leading Government agency which plays a crucial role in providing essential services to the public and to business. The work we do is important to the proper functioning of markets, the economy in general and support for thousands of people each year who are in financial difficulty.
The Insolvency Service is a leading Government agency which plays a crucial role in providing essential services to the public and to business. The work we do is important to the proper functioning of markets, the economy in general and support for thousands of people each year who are in financial difficulty.
Inclusive and diverse teams are important to us. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups underrepresented in our workforce. The Insolvency Service strives to ensure that the agency is a safe, inclusive, and welcoming place for everybody to bring their true self to work and to help the agency to achieve its diversity objectives. We have 10 active employee network groups available to join or become an ally, these include, Carers Network, Disability & Health, FACES Network Group, Grass Roots, LGBT+, Mind Matters, No Limits, Part Time Workers, The Shed, and Women's Network Group.
We offer full-time, part-time, job share and flexible ways of working. We value capability, technical skills and experience and we place great emphasis on lifetime development to support our people. We encourage our employees to become more involved in areas they feel strongly about, whether it be for the benefit of the agency, though our Engagement network or in their own local communities via volunteering opportunities.
The Insolvency Service is a great place to work, learn and grow your career
Job description
This is an exciting role within IES. As an Investigator you will undertake your own confidential fact-finding enquiries, under the guidance of an Investigation Manager.
This role is based at London (Stratford or Croydon) and therefore attendance at these offices in accordance with the Agency's hybrid working model (currently 60% office attendance) is required. Regular travel to other sites and locations and to attend liaison meetings with stakeholders and other regulators, often at other offsite locations across the country will be required. Occasional overnight stays may be required.
As a Live Investigator, you will:
* Manage and progress a portfolio of complex investigations conducted using compulsory powers under section 447 of the Companies Act 1985 in accordance with internal guidance and Government Counter Fraud Standards with a view to gathering evidence to establish whether the activities of a company are being carried on in the public interest.
* Review and research available source information.
* Make contact with company directors or third parties (e.g. solicitors, accountants, customers, suppliers, banks, etc) who may be reluctant to engage.
* Attend (unannounced) at company premises to serve and exercise the Section 447 authority, overcoming objections and using interpersonal skills to obtain cooperation from company directors.
* Undertake investigative interviews with company directors and other third parties.
* Identify relevant accounting and other documents and make a formal requirement for production in a timely manner, ensuring compliance.
* Log, review and analyse the documents and information produced during the investigation to identify wrongdoing, misconduct, or potential criminal offences.
* Make timely, clear, reasoned, and robust recommendations to managers to progress the case to the appropriate conclusion.
* Deal appropriately with confidential and sensitive information, understanding that a strictly enforced disclosure regime exists in relation to Section 447 investigations, and understanding the impact of other legislation on the investigation, e.g. FOIA & GDPR.
* Draft complex, evidence-based reports on the findings of an investigation to a standard suitable for testing in both civil and criminal courts or capable of forming the foundation for further action by other regulators.
* Liaise professionally and expeditiously with legal professionals and colleagues within the Service.
* Provide primary evidence in relation to investigations by way of affidavit or witness statement and appearing at Court to give oral evidence on behalf of the Secretary of State.
* Respond professionally and expeditiously to requests for witness evidence received from a range of prosecuting authorities and in relation to applications to disqualify directors.
* Effectively build and manage engagement and collaborative relationships with external stakeholders.
* Keep up to date with changes in legislation and internal processes and procedures in a rapidly changing environment.
Person specification
To be an ideal candidate:
* You will have an inquisitive mind and are able to constructively challenge at all levels to achieve the right results.
* You are able to keep your own efforts focused on the goals that really matter and successfully manage, support and stretch yourself to deliver agreed outcomes by being proactive and taking ownership and accountability for decisions and commitments.
* You will have a keen eye for detail and a tenacious approach to your work and be willing to make decisions when they are needed even if they prove difficult or unpopular, having the emotional intelligence to deal with conflict in a prompt, calm and constructive manner to achieve a positive outcome.
* You will have strong analytical and problem-solving skills and be able to recognise patterns and trends and draw key conclusions in a wide range of evidence and data.
* You will have the ability to build and establish positive relationships with a range of stakeholders to support the delivery of business outcomes and possess good interpersonal skills and communication skills, written and verbal.
* Whilst not essential, experience of courtroom procedures and experience in undertaking investigation work would be desirable.
Essential Skills
* Ability to respond quickly, flexibly and effectively to tight deadlines, managing and prioritising completing caseloads and tasks.
* Skills to analyse complex data sets to produce meaningful and compelling information.
* Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal) with sound judgement and decision making.
* Attention to detail.
Essential Criteria
* You will be committed to completing the Insolvency Service Investigator Programme within 2 years which will require regular travel and overnight stays to attend training events. The programme is assessed through work-based assessment.
Desirable Skills
* Investigation experience in a comparable environment.
* Experience of courtroom procedures and acting as a witness.
* Knowledge of Companies Act investigations.
* Relevant professional training and qualifications
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Delivering at Pace
* Making Effective Decisions
* Communicating and Influencing
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
* Delivering at Pace
* Making Effective Decisions
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £40,040, Insolvency Service contributes £11,599 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
We want you to have a good work-life balance and want to support you in all that you do, so we offer a great benefits package including:
* flexible working arrangements and flexi-time
* full time new entrants to the Civil Service and those Civil Servants on modernised terms and conditions will be entitled to 25 days leave increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years' service
* in addition to this you are entitled to 8 public/bank holidays plus an additional day of privilege leave
* competitive maternity, paternity and parental leave
* 5 days paid leave for learning and development
* 5 days paid for volunteering
* a Cycle to work scheme
* staff have access to an employee assistance programme, Workplace Wellness, for confidential, independent support and advice during difficult times in either their professional or personal life
Your pension is a valuable part of your total reward package where the employer makes a significant contribution to the cost of your pension. Your contributions come out of your salary before any tax is taken. This means, if you pay tax, your take-home pay will not be reduced by the full amount of your contribution; and your pension will continue to provide valuable benefits for you and your family if you are too ill to continue to work or die before you retire. For more information, visit
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability and Experience.
As part of the sift process, you will be asked to complete:
* Online Tests
* CV
* Personal Statement
* Behaviours
* Behaviour 1 – Delivering at Pace
* Behaviour 2 - Making Effective Decisions
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview.
After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Verbal Test and a Civil Service Numerical Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application. Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 29 September 2025. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.
CV Guidance
Your CV should provide a clear overview of your employment history, key responsibilities, relevant qualifications, and the skills and experience you've gained throughout your career including any notable achievements.
Note: Your CV will be scored as part of the assessment process and will be assessed against the criteria outlined in the job advert.
Personal Statement Guidance
Your personal statement should be no more than 500 words and must demonstrate how your personal skills, qualities, and experience align with the requirements of the role. Please ensure your statement references the essential criteria outlined in the person specification, as well as any desirable criteria. This will help provide a clearer basis for scoring and will be particularly useful in the event of tied scores.
If successful at the sift stage, at interview, you will be assessed on the following:
* Behavioural Competencies - assessed through:
* Behaviour 1 - Delivering at Pace
* Behaviour 2 - Making Effective Decisions
* Behaviour 3 - Communicating and Influencing
* Strengths
Expected timeline (subject to change)
Sift – w/c 29 September 2025
Interview – w/c 27 October 2025
Location - 1 Westfield Avenue, Stratford, London, E20 1HZ
You will be notified of this if you are selected for interview. Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to Insolvency 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; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre- stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
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 applicant's 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.
Use of AI
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.
Visa Applicants
To sponsor a candidate under the Skilled Worker visa, a sponsorship licence is required. The Insolvency Service does not currently hold this licence and therefore, cannot legally sponsor Skilled Worker visa applicants.
Hybrid Working
Insolvency Service operates a hybrid working policy subject to business need, giving people the flexibility to choose when and where they work and collaborate with others.
Individuals are expected to work from one of the office locations stated in the advert to connect with their colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs. There is flexibility to split the working week, spending a minimum of 60% in the workplace, which includes the office, site visits, court etc.
Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put 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 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 will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a 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.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
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 : Jacqui Elliott
* Email :
Recruitment team
* Email :
Further information
A candidate can raise a complaint to the Insolvency Service if they think that:
They have been discriminated against under the Equality Act 2010.
There have been procedural irregularities at any stage of the recruitment process.
If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance: If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive you can then contact the Civil Service Commission.
All complaints must be received by the contact point for applicants within 24 hours from the date the applicant is advised of their non-success at sift, assessment or interview. Complaints will be considered by an independent third-party outside of the recruitment campaign. The decision will be conveyed to the applicant, in writing, within 5 working days of receipt of the complaint. The recruitment process will usually be put on hold until the complaint has been resolved.
Complaints may also be made to the Civil Service Commission at any time if the individual believes their application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment principles (appointment on merit through fair and open competition). However, complaints must first have been raised with Government Recruitment Service.