** Digital Forensic Practitioner

Job description

About the job

Job summary

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.

Immigration Enforcement is responsible for enforcing the government's immigration laws, tackling illegal migration, removing foreign national offenders and immigration offenders from the UK. We also aim to disrupt the organised criminal groups that exploit the vulnerable for their personal gain. Learn more on our careers pages.

As part of Criminal and Financial Investigation (CFI), Cyber & Digital Capabilities (CDC) provides comprehensive digital forensics services to support Immigration Enforcement operations and criminal investigations. This includes the acquisition of data from digital devices as well as the subsequent processing and analysis to provide actionable evidence for criminal investigation teams.

Job description

An exciting opportunity for a high-performing individual to join a fast-paced digital forensic unit within a rapidly evolving area of CFI. The role involves the forensic extraction and analysis of data, as well as enhancing audio, video, and photographic evidence using specialist tools. You will produce high-quality outputs to support complex investigations and assist case teams.

All Criminal and Financial Investigation staff are required to disclose any adverse judicial decisions or internal disciplinary matters under Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act (CPIA). Applicants need to bear this in mind when considering their eligibility for this post.

Please be aware that this role involves viewing data contained on electronic devices and therefore poses the risk of viewing indecent material.

You may be required to undertake the same or a similar role within a different team or teams (where possible, at your base location or within reasonable travel distance), depending on business priorities. With appropriate training and support, this will provide opportunities to broaden both your experience and skill set.

Key Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Forensically secure and retrieve data from digital devices in accordance with ISO 17025 and the Forensic Science Regulators (FSR) Codes.
• Analyse and report results to evidential standards, in a format that can be readily understood and evaluated suitable for investigations.
• Provide technical support for Officers viewing data extracted from digital devices.
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date records, ensuring the integrity and continuity of exhibits through robust chain-of-custody procedures.
• Providing expert advice and guidance to investigators and attend court to present evidence when necessary.
• Assist as appropriate in the execution of search warrants, providing specialist advice and guidance on the correct methods of seizing and removing digital devices and other internet enabled equipment.

Working Pattern

Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis.

Shift Working

Successful candidates will need to be able to attend for all shifts including early starts, late night finishes, and overnight shifts. These shifts may be outside of public transport operating hours.

Travel

Travel within the UK and some overseas travel may be required as part of this role.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to produce clear, concise reports relating to information recovered from digital devices, providing specialist interpretation.
• Excellent team worker who is able to network and is confident when dealing with other Government colleagues and/or external stakeholders.
• Experience of using Microsoft office suite (Excel, word, and PowerPoint) and confident in utilising various computer packages to achieve a desired outcome.
• Resilient, with the ability to quickly adapt and respond to changing circumstances or priorities and operate in an environment of change and ambiguity.
• Previous digital forensic experience or experience in analysing data from electronic devices.

Desirable Criteria

• Completion of the College of Policing courses Core Skills in Data Recovery, CCTV level 1, and CCTV level 2.
• A degree (or equivalent) in a digital forensics, computing, or data analysis-based discipline or equivalent Industry training.

Licences

Due to the nature of the work and/or the geographical area, driving is a key requirement for this role. Applicants must have a full valid UK manual/automatic driving licence.

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• GSE: Applying Knowledge (Foundation)
• GSE: Developing / Maintaining Expertise (Foundation)
• GSE: Regulatory Knowledge (Foundation)

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• GSE: Applying Knowledge (Foundation)

Benefits

In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:

• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.
• 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service to 30 days.
• Eight days of public holidays, plus one additional privilege day.
• This role currently attracts Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA) of 27.75% of salary, which equates to an additional £9,550 per annum based on salary minimum. Further information can be found on our website.
• See more of our benefits on our careers website.

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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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

We will endeavour to conduct the selection process in line with the dates indicated below, but cannot guarantee that these will not, where necessary, be revised.

1. Application - by 31 August 2026

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:

• CV
• Evidence of the Technical Skills: Government Science & Engineering Framework (GSE): Applying Knowledge (Foundation) that align to: Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Career Framework, November 2021 (Version 2) (maximum of 250 words).

Your CV should consist of your career history, qualifications and skills/experience, including any key achievements in each role. Your CV will be scored against the experience required for the role as noted within the essential criteria.

For guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV, Personal Statement and Behaviours), you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.

2. Sift - commencing 02 September 2026

The sift will be held on the CV and Technical Skill, GSE: Applying Knowledge (Foundation), as listed in the advert.

3. Interview - commencing 22 September 2026

If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview that will be Technical Skills and Strength based questions.

For guidance on the Technical skills, GSE: Applying Knowledge (Foundation) and GSE: Developing / Maintaining Expertise (Foundation), please refer to: Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Career Framework, November 2021 (Version 2)

The interview will take place online via MS Teams.

In addition, candidates will be asked to prepare a 10-minute presentation that will be delivered at interview. The presentation question/scenario will be provided to you with your interview invitation (should you be successful at sift). Slides are optional.

The presentation will be assessed against Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Career Framework, November 2021 (Version 2) and will be assessed against the Technical Skill GSE: Regulatory Knowledge (Foundation).

For guidance and information on what to expect and how to prepare for an interview, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers.

Problems during the application process

If you experience problems accessing this advert, or you think you've made a mistake on an initial application, please contact [email protected], including the vacancy reference, at least two working days before the vacancy closes. Further information can be found on our website.

Do not create or attempt to submit another application, online test or use a different Civil Service Jobs account to proceed as this would be in violation of the candidate declaration.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made. There is no guarantee that being held on a reserve list will lead to a job offer. Further information can be found on our website.

Breaking Tied Scores

The technical skills and strengths have been ranked in order of importance to enable us to differentiate between candidates with tied interview scores.

Standards

All Civil Servants are expected to comply with the Civil Service Code, and its core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.

Integrity Check

As well as successfully obtaining UK Security Vetting clearance, you will also be subject to an additional Integrity Check, as part of the pre-employment process, to determine your suitability to work for Border Force or Immigration Enforcement. For further information on what this involves, please visit our website.

Reasonable Adjustments

If a person with disabilities is 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 [email protected] 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.

Further information

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 [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).

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 theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) 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 : Home Office Resourcing Centre
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]

Further information

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles. and you wish to make a complaint, then contact the Government Recruitment Service via [email protected]. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission.