We are currently looking for a Senior Criminal Enforcement Officer to join our Criminal Enforcement Unit Function within the Safety & Surveillance group.
This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role is a home-based role but will require occasional travel to 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU or South Mimms, Hertfordshire. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.
Who are we?
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.
The Criminal Enforcement Unit is a dedicated law enforcement function within the MHRA, leading interventions to tackle the most serious criminal threats to the public from the illegal sale and supply of medicines and medical devices.
MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit (CEU) is a multi-disciplinary function that sits within the Safety and Surveillance Group. The Group brings together into a single integrated structure, devices and medicines safety expertise with criminal enforcement capabilities. The CEU takes action to protect the public by preventing, disrupting and detecting the illegal trade in human medicines and medical devices.
What’s the role?
This role requires the post holder to oversee the internet, intelligence and investigation (III) function within the Criminal Enforcement Unit. This includes supervising III incidents and working with key law enforcement and industry stakeholders to disrupt online threats.
Key responsibilities:
Supervising and conducting an internet intelligence and investigation (III) capability to identify and disrupt online threats.
Supervising multiple operational support functions including criminal enforcement deployments and responding to crime and incident referrals.
Liaising with key law enforcement and industry stakeholders to build relationships and disrupt online threats.
Contributing to the delivery of innovation projects and portfolio responsibilities to enhance criminal enforcement.
Who are we looking for?
Our successful candidate will have:
Essential criteria
Candidates are expected to have experience in a criminal or regulatory enforcement background.
Desirable criteria
We are especially keen to hear from candidates who have experience in the following areas in a law enforcement environment:
Supervising and conducting an internet intelligence and investigation (III) capability to identify and disrupt online threats.
Supervising multiple operational support functions including criminal enforcement deployments and responding to crime and incident referrals.
Additionally, it would be desirable for role holders to have experience in one or more of the following areas:
Leading and contributing to the delivery of innovation projects and portfolio responsibilities to enhance criminal enforcement.
Supervising multiple operational support functions including criminal enforcement deployments and responding to crime and incident referrals.
Supervising the delivery of multiple business support capabilities, for example performance information, executive assistance, property store and RIPA administration.
Coordinating responses to external requests including Freedom of Information, DPA, Parliamentary Questions and press.
Developing and maintaining strong working relationships across internal departments, external stakeholders and law enforcement agencies.
Person Specification:
See Job Description
Method of assessment: A=Application, I=Interview
Behaviour Criteria:
Working Together (I)
Changing and Improving (I)
Managing a Quality Service (I)
Experience Criteria:
The requirement is for recent experience in the law enforcement profession or UK intelligence community of one or more of the following (A, I):
Technical Criteria:
The requirement is for one or more of the following (A, I):
Formal accreditation under the Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP) to level 1 or 2 (investigator) or equivalent, or demonstrable competence to ‘practitioner’ level against core GCFP professional standards.
Recognised recent formal training in intelligence assessment and analysis (GIAT or equivalent) or demonstrable competence to ‘highly proficient’ against the PHIA professional development framework
Recognised recent formal training as a CHIS controller or demonstrable competence sufficient to perform the statutory duties under s29(5)(b) of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.
AND
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and a proven ability to write well-focused, penetrating reports fully independently, that articulate complex matters clearly and concisely in a way that aids comprehension.
Strengths Criteria:
Adaptable (I)
Focussed (I)
Problem Solver (I)
If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification!
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The selection process:
We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates, find out more here.
Online application form, including questions based on the Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profiles. Please ensure all application questions are completed in full; your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank. Our applications are CV blind, and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV when reviewing your application.
Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.
In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of: recent experience in the law enforcement profession or UK intelligence community.
Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role. Applications are scored based on the competency-based answers provided- ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time. You can view the competencies for this role in the job description.
Use of AI in Job Applications
Applicants must ensure that anything submitted is factually accurate and truthful. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk as soon as possible.
Closing date: 25 January 2026
Shortlisting date: From 26 January 2026
Interview date: w/c 09 February 2026
Candidates will be contacted within a week of the sift and the interviews completed to inform them of the outcome.
If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk
Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check as well as animal rights and pro-life activism checks. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.
Certain roles within the MHRA will require post holders to have vaccinations, and in some circumstances, routine health surveillance. These roles include:
Laboratory-based roles working directly with known pathogens
Maintenance roles, particularly those required to work in laboratory settings
Roles that involve visiting other establishments where vaccination is required
Roles required to travel overseas where specific vaccination may be required.
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.
Any move to the MHRA 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. Determine your eligibility here.
Successful candidates may be subject to annual Occupational Health reviews dependent on role requirements. If you have any queries, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk.
In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment on the basis of merit by a fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should firstly contact Florentina Oyelami, Head of Talent Acquisition, Florentina.Oyelami@mhra.gov.uk.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk
Civil Service Commission
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