WIREDGOV

The intelligence and cyber crime fighters of tomorrow are being recruited by the National Crime Agency (NCA) as part of a multi-million pound recruitment campaign. 

In its first major drive to recruit new officers, just two weeks after it went live, the agency has this week launched the first phase of a campaign to recruit up to 400 trainee cyber and intelligence officers over the next year.

From day one, the new recruits will undergo a two-year training programme to become fully-fledged NCA officers to help the agency lead the UK’s fight to cut serious and organised crime.

As intelligence officers, trainees will help enhance the agency’s knowledge of organised crime across the UK and overseas, while the cyber trainees will get the chance to work within the newly created National Cyber Crime Unit (NCCU) using some of the latest cutting edge technology. The posts will be based at the NCA’s offices in Warrington and London.

As an NCA officer, successful recruits will join a team of more than 4,000 specially trained officers working to cut serious and organised crime – from smashing multi-million pound, cross border criminal networks and gangs and cracking intricate global cyber crime, to tracking down child sex abusers in the hidden web and uncovering some of the most complex international fraud.  

Nick S is a 27-year-old technical officer within the cyber unit of the NCA. He says those with “ambition, a thirst for knowledge and an inquisitive mind” should consider a career in the NCA.

He said: “I thought joining this organisation would be a great way to pit my wits against the top criminals. Since joining I have realised just how crucial our work is in protecting the UK.

“Each day brings a new challenge and we're pushing the boundaries of law enforcement capability. It's rewarding to see people reading an article on the train about an operation I contributed to.

“It's an exciting time to be in the NCA and I look forward to playing my part in its future. After all we're the internet generation and we have so much to offer in such a fast-moving world.”

The vacancies, which attract a £22,407 starting salary, rising to £24,717 after two years training, are open to candidates over 18 years old, and the agency is keen to stress that it is looking for ambition and aptitude in the area of work, rather than qualifications. For instance, young people who have left school or college with limited qualifications could still be strong candidates providing they can prove their knowledge or interest in the cyber or intelligence world.

Online applications for the posts will open at 8am on November 1 via a specially created website at www.ncacareers.com. Applications will close once 8,000 forms have been received.

The initial part of the recruitment process will ask candidates to complete a security-focused questionnaire as a pre-qualifier, which ensures only candidates who are eligible to apply are able to progress.

Those who move to the next stage will then undergo a number of other online assessments to test their numerical, verbal and logic reasoning.

It is expected that more than 1,000 candidates will make it through to the final stage during the first two weeks of December at which point they will be invited to an assessment centre.

The NCA’s Deputy Director General, Phil Gormley said: “I want roles at the NCA to be the career of choice for people wanting a future in law enforcement. The agency will be vastly different to those that came before it and we need to build our crime-fighting capacity and capability. 

“This trainee programme shows that we are opening the NCA up to new people and new ideas, diversifying our workforce and modernising the workplace – while at the same time transferring expertise gained through years of experience.”

The job vacancies will be promoted via the NCA’s social media, including Twitter: @nca_uk, and on Facebook: National Crime Agency. Those interested in updates are encouraged to sign up to the regular announcements. More information can also be found on the microsite, www.ncacareers.com.