Director International
ContentsLocationThis role will require frequent attendance at our London office, if not based there, and regular international travel.
*Under the NCA Estates Strategy, the London office is part of a planned relocation to a new NCA HQ in Stratford, London. Relocation is expected to take place in 2025-26. If you are successful for a London role, please be aware that your post will be relocated from Spring Gardens, Vauxhall to Endeavour Square, Stratford E20.
Job summary
This is a high-profile role at the heart of the NCAs Senior Leadership Team. The NCA is looking for an exceptional individual to lead the Agencys International directorate as Director, maintaining the delivery and development of our International work on behalf of the Agency and UK Law Enforcement.
Over the next five years, it is likely that increasing instability, technological advances, and the changing threat picture will present new opportunities for Serious and Organised Crime (SOC), meaning a truly international law enforcement response will be critical in protecting the public from serious and organised crime. Currently leading a team of nearly 500 officers, the director role will be pivotal in providing the strategic lead for the Agency.
Job description
Key Responsibilities
- Provide Executive Level leadership on the Agencys strategic initiatives to tackle International criminality through collaboration with host nations law enforcement and intelligence agencies and up to ministerial level in conjunction with FCDO.
- Promote cross-Whitehall engagement at SCS2 /Director level and collaborative working with senior overseas law enforcement partners.
- Develop and strengthen existing strategic relationships with overseas partners, such as Five Eyes Law Enforcement Group (FELEG), INTERPOL and Europol to enhance the capacity to work collaboratively on transnational threats.
- Champion the Agencys capability to provide overall lead and direction to coordinate UK law enforcement overseas.
- Cultivate and manage a range of relationships and key strategic alliances with cross-Whitehall and international law enforcement partnerships.
- Chair International Board, responsible for taking key decisions on network deployments in conjunction with FCDO.
- Prioritising, securing and effective allocation of resources across the International platform to ensure optimal delivery of NCA strategic directives and business priorities.
- Regularly review the performance and continuing relevance of NCA International footprint and law enforcement response based on a clear understanding of cost, risk and contribution to NCA strategic objectives.
- Ensuring alignment of NCA with HMG strategies, policies and standards.
Functions and context
The International Liaison Officer (ILO) network is the largest overseas capability within the Agency with over 175 officers working alongside the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) platform and/or in collaboration with host nation law enforcement and intelligence organisations. It acts primarily as an operational liaison function, providing clear leadership for the UK SOC response within the country or region it covers, and working with the host country to deliver against UK and partner requirements.
- To further integrate and develop the JICC, Interpol and Europol units with the bilateral ILO network deployed overseas.
The Joint International Crime Centre (JICC) leads and coordinates lawful international cooperation through a 24/7 UK based service that prioritises and responds to operational requirements of domestic and international partners. Including the Europol and INTERPOL bureaux, JICC houses over 200 officers.
The INTERPOL Unit holds the responsibility within the JICC for INTERPOL casework and the dissemination of INTERPOL Notices and Diffusions.
Our INTERPOL Notices & Diffusion activity relates to that received from foreign partners and that issued on behalf of UK Law Enforcement both incoming and outgoing. This process manages the threat and risk posed by offenders and suspects and manages the international travel of subjects of investigation and the notifying of international partners of a threat they may pose.
INTERPOL Unit also has the responsibility for sharing emerging threats and Modus Operandi from INTERPOL member states around the world and/or from the UK Law Enforcement to partners abroad through the use of INTERPOL Orange and Purple Notices.
Europol is an organisation which exists to support the authorities of the European Member States in combating cross border, Serious Organised Crime. Europol also supports in excess of 35 operational partners from countries around the world.
Engagement with Europol can be achieved through liaison with UK Europol - the combined UK Liaison Bureau (UKLB) at Europol HQ at The Hague and the UK Europol National Unit (UK ENU) based in the JICC. The team comprises NCA and other UK law enforcement partners including NPCC, HOIO, HMRC, SO15, MPS, ACRO and Police Scotland.
Person specification
The Civil Service use a recruitment framework called Success Profiles. Success Profiles are made up of 5 elements: Ability, Behaviours, Experience, Technical, Strengths.
Essential Criteria:
You will need to demonstrate the below essential criteria:
- Inclusive leadership skills comfortable operating in a complex operational environment, with a demonstrable commitment to lead, develop and nurture a highly performing, diverse and talented workforce based in the UK and overseas
- Experience of building effective partnerships across government, UK public and private sectors and with international partners at a strategic level. You will feel comfortable communicating complex issues to a wide audience, including ministers and the media. You will have had exposure in Whitehall.
- A proven track record of successfully managing political and operational risks at Director or SCS2 level.
- The ability to articulate a strategic forward vision for a large, complex organisation or system, influencing up and out across a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to ensure engagement and secure support.
- The ability to lead and deliver change, with a track record of delivering substantial improvements to increase operational effectiveness and value for money, including through running programmes and setting up new capabilities.
- Experience of delivering interventions that ensure that Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) is embedded in the organisations way of working, fostering a culture of trust which enables people to speak up, feel safe and advocate for others.
- Experience of delivering effective operational activity in law enforcement and intelligence, and working collaboratively with a wide range of law enforcement and intelligence partners.
- Experience of working in, or exposure to, international operations with a strong understanding of international law enforcement.
- Ability to acquire and retain Developed Vetting (DV) status up to STRAP
Civil Service Pension
A competitive contributory pension scheme that you can enter as soon as you join where we will make a significant contribution to the cost of your pension; your contributions come out of your salary before any tax is taken; and where your pension will continue to provide valuable benefits for you and your family if you are too ill to continue to work or die before you retire.
If you are an active police pension member immediately prior to joining the NCA, you can continue your membership throughout your employment with us.
Annual Leave
25 days annual leave on entry (plus one privilege day for the Kings Birthday), plus 8 Bank Holidays, increasing to 30 days after reaching 5 years continuous service (plus one privilege day for the Kings Birthday), plus 8 Bank Holiday
If qualifying criteria is met new joiners to the NCA from UK Police Forces or 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 30 days leave (plus 1 privilege day for the Kings Birthday).
Parental Leave
Family friendly policies including paid maternity, adoption, paternity and shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks.
Access to the government Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) scheme. Existing employees may be able to continue to claim childcare vouchers.
Flexible Working
Flexible working arrangements allowing you to split your work between the office and home, subject to the nature of the role.
Alternative working patterns such as part-time and compressed hours options subject to business needs.
Support for officers who are Reservists and Special Constables.
Learning and Development
Access to a range of learning and development activities, and opportunities to support career progression.
Paid time off to facilitate continuous professional development, and access to Civil Service Learning up to 5 days per year.
Wellbeing and Inclusion
Occupational sick pay and access to occupational health services.
A network of qualified Mental Health First Aiders and Workplace Support Officers, who can provide advice, signposting and support to all our officers.
On site facilities including fitness centres and canteens (where available).
Access to a variety of active staff network groups.
Employee Savings
Interest-free loans allowing you to spread the cost of an annual travel season ticket.
Access to a wide range of discounts, offers and gift cards with a number of high street and online retailers through the Blue light Scheme and EdenRed.
Cycle2work salary sacrifice scheme to hire a bicycle up to the value of £4,000 to assist in improving health and fitness and save you money.
Access to a home and technology purchase scheme, allowing you to purchase items and spread the cost over 12 months through salary sacrifice.
Key worker status, enabling access to accommodation at a discounted rate, subject to eligibility.
Access to a range of sports, leisure and health benefits at reduced prices through membership with Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC).
For further information on working for the NCA please visit: https://www.civil-service- careers.gov.uk/national-crime-agency/
Selection process details
How to apply
To apply for this post, you will need to submit your application here:
https://micro.green-park.co.uk/nca/how-to-apply/
This should be completed no later than 23:55 Monday 21st July 2025.
- Enter your CV details setting out your career history, including key responsibilities and achievements. It is essential that your CV reflects the role you are applying for. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any employment gaps within the last two years.
- A statement of suitability (no more than two x A4 pages font Arial 11) with detailed evidence of your skills and experience that relate to the Person Specification criteria on page 12.
In order to monitor the effectiveness of the National Crime Agencys Diversity & Inclusion strategy, the NCA require certain personal details about you on submission of your application. Please note that this will be treated in confidence and will not impact your application.
As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a diversity monitoring form. If you do not wish to provide a declaration on any of the particular characteristics, you will have the option to select prefer not to say. All monitoring data will be treated in the strictest confidence and will not be provided to the selection panel. The information you provide when submitting your application will help us monitor our progress towards the Civil Service becoming the most inclusive employer.
Your application will be acknowledged within 48 hours of receipt.
Should you encounter any issues with your application please get in touch with our recruitment partner at the following email address:
Richard.Grayling@green-park.co.uk
The NCA is also currently advertising for a Director Strategy. Candidates may apply for both vacancies but must submit two separate applications.
Further Information
Complaints
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment principles or you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, please raise it with Richard.Grayling@green-park.co.uk
Location
The roles are expected to be based in London*, Warrington.
Please ensure you are only selecting locations you are willing to work in as you may be offered a post in any of your location preferences.
Longlisting
The longlisting will be conducted against your submitted CV and Statement of Suitability.
If required, Longlist interviews will be conducted in August.
Shortlist
A shortlisting meeting will be held in the week commencing w/c 1st September 2025.
Shortlisted candidates will be offered informal one to one chats with the vacancy holder.
Assessment
A Staff Engagement Exercise which will be delivered virtually on MS Teams during w/c 8th September 2025. In addition, you will be asked to undertake some occupational psychological assessments.
Final Panel Interview
The interview will be held in London week commencing w/c 15th September 2025.
The panel will assess your previous experience and professional competence, aligned to the Civil Service behaviours cited on page 13. You will also be asked to respond to a scenario which will be shared 45 minutes prior to the time of your final panel interview.
Full details of the requirements will be given to shortlisted candidates ahead of their interview.
Selection Panel
The panel will be chaired by Sarah Pittam, Civil Service Commissioner and will include:
Rob Jones, NCA Director General Operations
Martin Hewitt, Home Office Director General, Border Security Commander
Tobi Mulder, NCA Deputy Director Estates, Transformation and Delivery
Offer
Regardless of the outcome, we will notify all candidates as soon as possible.
If your application is successful and we are unable to offer you a post immediately, you will be invited to join our reserve list so that we can continue to communicate with you regarding your employment with the Agency, and the incredible work that we do. If over the next 12 months we are able to offer you a position, we will contact you as soon as possible.
If you are found appointable at the higher grade but there are no positions available you may be offered an appointment at the lower grade.
If you are not found appointable at the advertised grade you may be offered the lower grade role if you are considered to meet the skills, experience and behaviours for the lower level. The benchmark for appointing to the lower grade is set at the start of each campaign. All offers will be made in merit.
Appointments will be made in adherence to the Civil Service Recruitment Principles and in strict merit order with the highest scoring candidates being appointed first.
The NCA is a law enforcement agency and as such we are part of the Criminal Justice System. Therefore, if you are going into an operational role we need to be aware if any of our officers have, either before they join us or afterwards, any of the following:
- Any criminal conviction (including by Court Martial), or caution or fixed penalty notice for disorder or theft;
- Any adverse judicial findings;
- Any charges or summonses where the proceedings are not complete;
- Any misconduct or gross misconduct findings or where proceedings are not complete.
You will be asked to complete a declaration form covering the above if offered a role with the NCA.
Each case will be considered on its merits and a positive declaration does not automatically mean that your application will not be progressed. However, should you fail to disclose a relevant matter then your application or employment will be adversely affected. If in doubt, please declare it at this stage.
Indicative Timeline
The anticipated timetable is as follows:
Advert Closing Date: Monday 21st July 2025
Possible Longlist Interviews: August
Expected Shortlist announcement: w/c 1st September 2025
Virtual Assessments: w/c 8th September 2025
Interviews: w/c 15th September 2025
Pre-employment checks
Pre-employment checks take on average 16 weeks from the point of offer to arranging a start date. This includes vetting, occupational health assessments, employment history checks and substance misuse tests. This is an approximate time frame and is to be taken as a guideline only as this can very between candidates. This is dependent on when all requested documentation is provided.
Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, which may be likely to some change, and are asked to exercise flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.
Individuals will be required to undertake and pass a substance misuse test as part of pre-employment checks.
Reasonable Adjustments
The NCA is a Disability Confident Leader and therefore part of the Disability Confident Scheme (for further information on the Disability confident scheme please visit
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/disability-confident-campaign).
For further information regarding disabilities covered under the scheme and the equality act please visit www.gov.uk/definition-of-disability-under-equality-act-2010).
We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all and will try to remove any barriers so you are not at a disadvantage during the selection, recruitment process, interview or assessment including; allowing extra time during selection tests; ensuring that information is provided in an accessible format; or by providing training. We are also committed to interviewing all applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the role applied for.
If you feel that you may need a reasonable adjustment to be made, or you would like to discuss the Disability Confident scheme in more detail please contact: Richard.Grayling@green-park.co.uk
If you wish to receive a hard copy of the information, or in an alternative format e.g. Audio, Braille or large font, then please contact: Richard.Grayling@green-park.co.uk
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment undefined (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Richard Grayling
- Email : Richard.Grayling@green-park.co.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : Scs.appointments@nca.gov.uk