Operations Officer, UKPPS

Apply before

15/06/2026, 23:55

Reference number

London weighting allowance (Per Annum)

£4218

SPOT Rate 1

£40,670

Role grade

G5

Contract type

Permanent

Command

Intelligence

Business Area

National Tasking & Co-ordination

Type of role

Intelligence, Investigation, Operational Delivery, Policing, Risk Management

Working pattern

Full time, Flexible Working

Number of roles available

Operations Officer, UKPPS

Location(s)

Birmingham, Bristol, London, Solent, Sunderland, Warrington

About the Role

Information about the Command

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

National Tasking and Coordination (NTAC) teams carry out a wide variety of national critical functions which underpin all NCA operational activity. It is a truly diverse department made up of unique teams.

Role Summary

The National Crime Agency's UK Protected Persons Service (UKPPS) delivers authorised protection to individuals at risk of serious harm, using a unique combination of traditional and covert capabilities not found elsewhere in UK law enforcement. As an Operations Officer, you will play a key role in implementing and maintaining protective measures, working within a national, multidisciplinary team to safeguard those at greatest risk.

Security Vetting requirements - To be considered, you will need to successfully complete SC Enhanced clearance before commencing the role. Subsequently you may be required to complete DV Enhanced clearance, subject to business needs.

Role Description

The UKPPS is a nationally coordinated function within the NCA, providing vital protection to individuals assessed as facing a risk of serious harm. The service operates through a network of operational teams supported by specialist functions, combining expertise from operational, intelligence, finance and business support disciplines. It delivers protective arrangements through a blend of established methods and advanced covert capabilities, offering a level of flexibility and discretion that is unique within UK law enforcement.

As an Operations Officer, you will be responsible for implementing and maintaining tailored protection arrangements for individuals referred to UKPPS by police forces and other state authorities. You will manage a number of protected person cases, ensuring that all activity is conducted in full compliance with relevant legislation, policy and procedural frameworks. The role requires sound judgement and the ability to operate effectively in environments where situations are often time-critical, demanding the ability to prioritise competing demands and manage risk appropriately.

You will work as part of a dedicated operational team, contributing to the delivery of effective and proportionate protective measures. Success in the role requires strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to operate professionally in sensitive and high-risk contexts.

Given the national remit of UKPPS and the nature of threats to life, the role requires a high degree of flexibility and resilience. This includes working irregular hours, travelling throughout the UK and undertaking overnight deployments when required. The position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a highly specialised area of public protection, where professionalism, adaptability and teamwork are essential to safeguarding individuals at the highest levels of risk.

The postholder will be required to complete Operational Development training, including achieving NCA Powers within two years of appointment. This training is essential to ensure officer safety and the effective safeguarding of vulnerable individuals.

Duties and Responsibilities

Case Management - Manage day-to-day delivery of allocated protected person cases, ensuring all activity is conducted in accordance with European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) Articles 2, 6 and 8, SOCPA 2005, Authorised Professional Practice, and NCA policies and procedures.

Risk Assessment & Mitigation - Identify, assess and document risks to protected persons, ensuring appropriate mitigation strategies are developed, implemented and regularly reviewed in line with agreed case management plans.

Operational Deployment - Deploy operationally in support of protected person casework, responding to dynamic and at times time-critical situations requiring sound judgement and adaptability.

Protected Person Engagement - Maintain regular contact with protected persons and, where appropriate, their families, managing sensitive relationships and the pressures that can arise due to their circumstances and status.

Record Management - Prepare and maintain full, accurate and auditable case records, ensuring all documentation meets organisational and evidential standards.

Escalation & Decision Support - Recognise complex or high-risk issues and escalate appropriately to Senior Officers or Operational Managers in a timely manner to support effective decision-making.

Stakeholder Collaboration - Build and sustain effective working relationships with NCA departments, police forces and external partners to support the coordinated delivery of protection arrangements.

Advisory & Representation - Provide professional advice and representation on referrals, including assessing threat-to-life risks and contributing to proportionate and lawful decision-making.

Partnership Development - Identify opportunities to strengthen internal and external partnerships, supporting the development and sharing of best practice in line with UKPPS objectives.

Operational Security - Ensure that covert operational activity is securely managed, with risks properly assessed and appropriate safeguards in place to protect sensitive tactics and methodologies.

Information Security & Confidentiality - Manage protected person material in accordance with security requirements, maintaining strict confidentiality and fulfilling duty of care responsibilities at all times.

Ethical Use of Tactics - Support the lawful, ethical and proportionate use of covert capabilities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and oversight frameworks.

Professional Conduct - Maintain high standards of behaviour and professionalism in line with NCA values, policies and codes of conduct.

Health, Safety & Compliance - Adhere to health and safety legislation and organisational policy, ensuring risk assessments are applied and maintained across all relevant activities.

Resilience & Working Conditions - Demonstrate resilience and self-motivation, with the ability to work independently, remotely and at short notice in challenging and high-risk environments.

On-Call & Availability - Participate in on-call rotas and undertake irregular hours, including national travel and overnight deployments, in response to operational requirements.

Wellbeing & Suitability - Maintain personal resilience to operate effectively in a high-risk, high-profile environment and engage with psychological assessment processes where required.

Person Specification

Risk-Based Decision-Making - Demonstrable experience of making effective decisions in challenging and high-pressure environments, with the ability to identify, assess and manage risk proportionately. Able to balance operational urgency with legal, ethical and organisational considerations.

Vulnerability Management - Experience of working with vulnerable, intimidated or at-risk individuals, including those at risk of serious harm. Able to build trust, manage sensitive relationships and gain cooperation to support the implementation of protective arrangements.

Legal Framework Knowledge - Good working knowledge of the UK criminal justice system, including the practical application of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act (CPIA) and relevant disclosure requirements within a law enforcement context.

ECHR Application - Understanding of the ECHR, particularly Articles 2, 6 and 8, and the ability to apply these principles in operational decision-making.

Communication Skills - Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex or sensitive information clearly, professionally and appropriately to a range of audiences.

Interpersonal Skills - Highly developed interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage confidently with protected persons, colleagues and external stakeholders in potentially sensitive or pressured situations.

Partnership Working - Experience of working collaboratively with internal teams and external agencies, contributing to coordinated outcomes and maintaining effective professional relationships.

Organisation & Prioritisation - Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing demands, prioritise effectively and maintain attention to detail, particularly in time-critical environments.

Resilience & Adaptability - Proven ability to remain resilient and adaptable when working in high-risk, fast-paced or uncertain environments, including managing emotional pressures associated with the role.

Integrity & Professionalism - Demonstrates high levels of integrity, discretion and professionalism, particularly when handling sensitive information and operating within secure or covert environments.

Operational Awareness - An understanding of law enforcement operations and the importance of maintaining operational security, including handling sensitive material appropriately.

IT & Record Management - Competent in maintaining accurate records and using IT systems to support case management, ensuring information is recorded, stored and retrieved in line with policy and evidential standards.

On-call working

Operations Officers within UKPPS provide cover 24/7, 365 days a year, one week at a time depending on staffing levels and business needs.

Essential Criteria

You must meet the essential criteria and evidence this within your application to be considered for the role.

Qualifications, Membership and Licences

Full UK or International Driving Licence - Candidates must hold a valid driving licence permitting them to drive a car in the UK. This may include a full UK driving licence or an appropriate international driving licence recognised for use in the UK, as the role requires regular travel to operational deployments and visits across the country.

Any applications from candidates not meeting this eligibility criteria will not progress.

Desirable Criteria

Desirable criteria are only used for assessment in the event of a tie break.

• National Protected Persons Practitioner Training Course.

- Has experience in one of the following covert policing functions - Protected Persons, HUMINT, UCO or Surveillance.

Salary

Allowances are reviewed annually and may be increased, decreased or removed.

All salary offers will be made in line with Remuneration Policy.

• Roles based in London will receive an additional London Weighting (Per Annum) of £4218

Operational Role Salary Information

This role attracts a SPOT Rate salary. SPOT Rate offers a progressive increase in pay to reflect the skills and experience of the officer.

Benefits

All NCA employees are members of the UK Civil Service and eligible for the Civil Service pension scheme, alongside your salary the NCA contributes £11783. 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:

• Flexible working, including flexi-time, compressed hours and job sharing (in line with business requirements)
• Family friendly policies, notably above the statutory minimum
• Learning and Development opportunities
• Interest free loans and advances, including season tickets, childcare and rental deposits
• Housing schemes - Key Worker status
• Discounts and Savings with a wide variety of services including Cycle to Work, Smart Tech schemes, dental insurance, gym discounts and savings on everyday spending, available through the Reward Gateway | Edenred and Blue Light Card schemes.
• Staff support groups/networks
• Sports and social activities, including membership to the Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC)

Further information is available on the NCA Website.

Selection Process Details

This vacancy is using the Success Profiles framework and will assess using the following criteria: Experience, Strengths

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.

How we will assess you

Experience Criteria - will be assessed by 500 word examples on:

• Experience in making decisions in challenging environments through the management and mitigation of risk.

• Experience of dealing with vulnerable and/or intimidated persons, or individuals at risk of serious harm.

• Proven experience in effective decision making.

A panel will assess how well your application demonstrates the requirements outlined above.

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.

• Experience in making decisions in challenging environments through the management and mitigation of risk. .

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.

For guidance on the application process, visit:

NCA Applying and Onboarding

Assessment 1

The format of this assessment will be Assessment Centre which will be tested on via the details listed below.

Candidates who pass the initial application sift will be invited to attend an in-person Assessment Centre (locations and dates to be confirmed).

The Assessment Centre will comprise role-play exercises, a panel briefing, and a strengths-based interview.

Further details will be shared with shortlisted candidates.

Success Profiles at Assessment

Strengths

Strengths are tested at interview stage - the strengths tested are not shared before the interview.

Assessment Outcome

Outcomes will be communicated via the NCA recruitment portal.

If successful but no role is immediately available, you may be placed on a reserve list for 12 months.

Reserve lists can be used to fill similar role types across the Agency where the assessment criteria is considered a match by the recruitment team and the business area.

In the event of a tie at the assessment stage, available roles will be offered in merit order using the following order:

• Lead criteria (behaviours/technical/experience)

• If still tied, desirable criteria will be assessed (if advertised)

• If still tied, application sift scores will be used

Feedback is provided only to those who attend an assessment.

You will be subject to vetting and pre-employment checks before appointment.

Once the vacancy closes, the advert will no longer be accessible. Please save a copy for your records.

We encourage all candidates to visit the NCA Careers Page for more information.

Eligibility, Pre-Employment Check and Vetting

Please see the NCA T&Cs and Privacy Policy (pdf) for details on how your data is handled.

If you are an internal candidate who has passed interview but is undergoing an internal investigation or have a written warning in place preventing a post move you may not be able to be posted until this investigation is concluded or restriction lifted.

Nationality Requirements

• UK nationals or dual nationals, where one component is British

• 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

You will be required to participate in digital right to work and address checks as part of the recruitment process.

Security and Vetting

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is SC Enhanced. All security clearances will be managed by the NCA.

For more information on security vetting please visit: UK Security Vetting guidance for applicants and Demystifying Vetting and see our vetting charter at: The Vetting Charter.

Vetting requirements - SC Enhanced

Prior to commencing the role, you will need to successfully complete SC Enhanced clearance and then achieve DV Enhanced clearance within the first 12 months in post.

The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years.

The requirement for DV Enhanced clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 7 of the last 10 years.

Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.

If the increased clearance cannot be obtained you will be moved to a role appropriate to your clearance level achieved on entry.

For further information on National Security Vetting checks please visit the following page Demystifying Vetting

Individuals will be required to undertake and pass a substance misuse test as part of pre-employment checks.

Occupational Health

Successful candidates will be expected to undertake an occupational health assessment. Depending on the role an in-person medical may be required in either London or Warrington. Unfortunately, travel costs will not be reimbursed.

Things you need to know

Multi Location

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.

Near Miss

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.

Hybrid Working

The NCA supports hybrid working. The extent of remote working will depend on the role and can be discussed at the offer stage.

Reasonable Adjustments

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 ***email_hidden*** 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.

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

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.

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

Working for the Civil Service

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: ***email_hidden*** (quoting the vacancy reference).

If unresolved, you may escalate your complaint to the Civil Service Commission.

Working for the NCA

The National Crime Agency is a 24/7 organisation, and working patterns must support business requirements. Some roles may require you to respond at short notice or outside of core hours.

If preferable, alternative contract types may be available. Please review the green bar of this advert to view all available contract types for this role. Where Loan or Secondment options are available, these would be for existing Civil Servants (Loan) and applicants from accredited Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) or any other employer (Secondment). 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.

If you have any specific queries about the role that are not covered by the advert, please contact:

Name : Central Recruitment Team

Email : ***email_hidden***