The Home Office
The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.
Home Office Intelligence brings together a number of existing teams involved in the collection and analysis of border and immigration related intelligence. It delivers Intelligence Collection, Development, Analysis, Targeting (Data Analytics) and Watchlisting capabilities within the Home Office and to its partners across Government and Law Enforcement. Learn more on the HO Intelligence careers page.
This is a role within Home Office Intelligence directorate and presents an excellent opportunity to be involved in a developing area of intelligence work, helping to set the direction of the team and draft policy and guidance.
The Home Office Intelligence – Internet Intelligence and Investigations Unit (HOI-III) through the use of specialist software and analytical tools are responsible for the investigation of social media and online platforms to identify threats and criminality concerning organised immigration and border related crimes.
The team identify and exploit online opportunities in order to reduce harm to the UK by maintaining an up-to-date understanding of internet-based technology and emerging trends relating to covert user techniques, social media, and mobile applications. You will work closely with other law enforcement partners and colleagues to support intelligence and investigative advancement through intelligence capture and other key supportive tactics such as analytical profiling.
Job description
The Home Office Intelligence – Internet intelligence and Investigation (HOI III) unit plays a critical role in supporting Immigration Enforcement (IE) and Border Force (BF) by providing advanced open-source intelligence capabilities, ensuring a comprehensive and integrated approach to intelligence and operational activities across departments. HOI-III is structured into four key operational functions:
Collections and Insight: This function is responsible for providing insights that address both strategic and tactical intelligence requirements across IE and BF threats. It supports decision-making by delivering actionable intelligence based on comprehensive analysis of open-source data. The team also provides horizon scanning on emerging threats to ensure proactive measures are in place.
Lead Generation: Focuses on collecting and developing intelligence from all layers of the web, while integrating intelligence from both open and closed data sources. This intelligence is then used for further tasking and/or disruption activities, ensuring proactive measures against emerging threats are undertaken.
Development Support: Provides specialist III support to ongoing IE and BF SOC operations by leveraging the units advanced capabilities. This function ensures that current operations benefit from the latest intelligence and technological advancements in open-source information gathering.
Innovation, Assurance, and Governance: This function ensures the continuous improvement of III capabilities across IE and BF through innovation, maintains high standards through assurance activities, while overseeing Open-Source governance to ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards.
Successful candidates will be placed in one of the four teams post training and in house mentoring based on the operational needs of the unit.
You will be able to demonstrate a keen interest and ability for working in an open-source investigative environment, helping us to tackle immigration and border related crimes on a national scale. The role offers a range of opportunities to develop your internet research skills, while giving you a greater understanding of the cyber threat landscape. You will also be able to develop your internal and external stakeholder skills so that information can be processed and shared appropriately across the entire business, and with corporate partners.
Responsibilities
Duties include but are not limited to:
Undertaking initial assessment of intelligence to establish what Open-Source research is required, in line with local, regional, and national priorities as well as threat and risk levels.
Ensuring all intelligence is handled in accordance with legislation and Intelligence Manual Standards
Providing ongoing intelligence support for complex criminal investigations including mapping and disclosure
Managing high-harm cases with an appropriate risk management plan
Identifying intelligence gaps and ensure that any new patterns of abuse are quickly and accurately reported in order to inform the monthly/annual threat assessment process.
Drafting reports and summaries to the required standard
Prioritising and allocating your time in line with the agreed development strategy and department priorities.
Creation of high-quality intelligence packages and products
Dissemination of high-quality intelligence products in the appropriate format
Ensuring that research and intelligence reports are accurate, and that intelligence is sanitised correctly, including the quality assurance and compliance of intelligence products where relevant.
Identifying, collecting, and developing internet based open-source intelligence as well as effectively report on findings from surface, deep and dark web environments.
Identifying and understanding the wider threat landscape.
Working patterns
Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis.
Shift working
You will need to be able to attend for all shifts including early starts and late night finishes. These shifts may be outside of public transport operating hours.
Training and security clearance
You will be given extensive training and have 25 daysâ worth of specific tradecraft learning. You can start in post if you have a minimum of Security Check (SC) clearance but will be expected to undergo and successfully obtain Developed Vetting (DV) clearance once in post, if not already held. If you do not successfully obtain DV clearance you will remain in post, but certain functions of the role will not be carried out by you.
Person specification
Essential criteria
You must be able to demonstrate:
Experience of using or directing the use of Open-Source Intelligence in an investigatory or intelligence environment.
The ability to use a wide range of tools for the purpose of conducting effective internet based open-source intelligence identification, collection, and reporting.
The ability to produce high quality reports.
The ability in the identification, analysis, extrapolation, and visualisation of data from multiple sources, using established tools and methodologies.
Proactively develop effective working relationships with colleagues, partners, and other stakeholders, understanding their needs and concerns.
Identify, analyse, and manage risk to inform balanced, proportionate, evidence-based decisions.
Desirable criteria
Previous background in intelligence or investigative work.
Aptitude for interpreting & applying RIPA legislation / CHIS codes of practice in an operational environment.
Language skills (please state what other languages you are fluent in).
Demonstrate they have completed Level 2 III training.
Experience of using or directing the use of advanced OSINT capabilities including web scraping, data analytics and geo-spatial analysis tools to collect, develop and analyse OSINT intelligence.
Understanding of Home Office Intelligence functions.
Knowledge and understanding of Immigration and Border functions.
Experience of using or directing the use of advanced III tradecraft in an operational environment.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Leadership
Delivering at Pace
Changing and Improving
Seeing the Big Picture
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
Leadership
Benefits
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.
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office.
âThis role currently attracts Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA) of 17.92% of salary [depending on location], which equates to an additional ÂŁ5,376 to ÂŁ6,092 per annum based on salary minimum. Further information can be found on our website.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
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 â by 4th August 2025.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:
Personal Statement (maximum 1000 words).
Evidence of the Behaviour Leadership (maximum of 250 words).
The Personal Statement should be aligned to and demonstrate how you meet the skills and experience set out in the essential criteria, detailed in the job description.
For guidance and information on how to construct your application (Personal Statement and Behaviours), you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.
2. Sift â commencing 4th August 2025.
The sift will be held on the Personal Statement and the Behaviour Leadership.
The Personal Statement will be scored for all candidates. Those candidates who achieve the minimum pass score for the Personal Statement will progress to a further sift where the Behaviour Leadership will be scored. These candidates will receive a sift score for both elements. Candidates who fail to meet the minimum pass score for the Personal Statement will not have their Behaviour scored and will only receive a sift score for the Personal Statement.
Should a high volume of applications be received, the sift will be conducted only on the Personal Statement.
3. Interview â week commencing 25th August 2025.
If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview that will be Behaviours (as listed in the job advert) and Strength based questions.
The interview will take place via MS Teams.
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 youâve made a mistake on an initial application, please contact hocandidates.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk, 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.
Location choice
You will only be able to select a single location preference so please ensure this is a location that you are prepared to travel to. If you are offered a role at your preferred location and you decline, your application will be withdrawn.
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.
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.
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 Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
If you are invited to an interview, you will be required to bring documentation for the purposes of establishing your identity.
You will need to meet the nationality requirements for this role and obtain the necessary security clearance to take it up.
For meaningful security checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. Learn more on our website. Security Checks – Home Office Careers
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.
Visa sponsorship
We do not sponsor individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas.
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 HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
Complete the âAssistance Requiredâ section in the âAdditional Requirementsâ 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 âContact point for applicantsâ section.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check .
See our vetting charter .
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 : Home Office Resourcing Centre
Email : HORCCampaignTeamHOIntel@homeoffice.gov.uk
Recruitment team
Email : HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
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
HORecruitment.GRS@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission
To apply for this job please visit uk.indeed.com.