Digital Investigations Technical Manager - Counter Terrorism Policing
Closing date: 9th March 2026 11:59pm
Salary: £44,700 - £50,949
Grade: 7
Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) is a collaboration of UK police forces working with the UK intelligence community to help protect the public and our national security by preventing, deterring and investigating terrorist activity.
Our West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit (CTPWM) Investigations team includes Detective Investigators, Forensic Management, Digital and Financial Investigators and HOLMES staff working together to maximise opportunities to gather evidence and intelligence.
Based at our modern offices near to Birmingham International Airport, you’ll work Monday to Friday between 8am to 4pm, but an element of flexibility is necessary with the occasional need to work outside of core shift hours to meet business needs.
The role
As a Digital Investigations Technical Manager in our Digital Media Exploitation Unit (DMEU) you’ll assess, verify and maintain the technical competence of all departmental staff, including the delivery, assessment and ongoing supervision of forensic tool training and competency testing.
You’ll work collaboratively with all within DMEU to ensure the maintenance of technical forensic accredited activities are maintained whilst overseeing the validation and verification of hardware and software. You’ll also ensure the maintenance of assets and equipment whilst demonstrating innovation through research and development to identify the latest advancements from vendors.
You’ll be the lead for the technical integrity, compliance and continuous improvement of the laboratory’s accreditation and will be responsible for ensuring all testing and calibration activities meet the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 and Forensic Science Regulators Code of Practice.
You’ll create verbal and written reports of technical findings to review and make informed recommendations as to how to progress, maintain and develop forensic activities.
You’ll also be part of the Forensic Services Team who oversee ISO accreditation and compliance to the Forensic Science Regulators Code of Practice across CTPWM.
Responsibilities
- Daily management of technical accreditation requirements within the digital forensics’ laboratory.
- Monitoring technical aspects of accreditation and submit regular updates and reports to Head of Quality and Compliance and DMEU Supervisor.
- Conducting Performance Development Reviews of staff based on technical competence.
- Validating methods, software and hardware of tooling utilised by Digital Forensics, troubleshooting issues as they arise.
- Researching to identify the latest development from suppliers/vendors, supporting team projects.
- Assisting with the development and writing of technical procedures.
- Managing competency and training of staff via the Quality Management System acting as a technical mentor and subject matter expert.
- Supporting the team with internal and external technical audits ensuring they meet the ISO standard and Forensic code and are completed and submitted to the Quality Manager in a timely manner.
- Carrying out root cause and risk analysis, formulate corrective/preventive actions, ensure actions are completed within agreed timescales.
- Reviewing of technical documentation to ensure they align with ISO and FSR code requirements.
- Understanding and following Digital Forensic good practice methodologies during and when delivering the above responsibilities ensuring confidentiality and security are always maintained
- Managing the testing of proficiency testing (PT) and inter-laboratory comparisons (ILC) as well as the performance and reporting.
- Acting as a technical lead during external engagements (UKAS assessments).
- Staying up to date with forensic standards, regulatory requirements and industry best practice.
To carry out any duties commensurate with the purpose of the post that may from time to time be determined.
Skills and competencies
Essential
- Proven understanding of dismantling and examining digital devices methodical and precise way with an aptitude for problem solving, supporting validation of methods.
- Prior experience of working with Windows, Apple Mac OS and/or mobile operating systems iOS/Android and have a keen interest in and understanding of computer systems and mobile devices.
- Ability to safely handle computers and/or mobile devices for examination purposes, whilst maintaining accurate contemporaneous records.
- Extensive knowledge of digital forensics tooling.
- Experience in a technical background and be conversant with the ISO 17025, ILAC G19, FSR Codes of Practice & Conduct quality standards and ACPO Principles of Digital Evidence.
- Be able to regularly work with material that may be of an obscene, offensive or distressing nature ensuring it is secured and handled according to defined policies.
- Able to work effectively across quality and digital areas and with external stakeholders.
- Passed professional training in technical management and/or auditing for ISO.
- Possess strong communication skills (both verbal and written) in support of training staff and delivering innovative technologies.
- Ability to work on own initiative and part of a collaborative team of Digital Forensic practitioners.
- Be enthusiastic, hardworking and flexible.
- Full, clean UK driving license.
Desirable
- Experience acting as a named technical manager or deputy.
- Experience working within a UKAS accredited testing or calibration laboratory.
- Experience in supporting accreditation assessments.
- Experience in managing digital technical risks, non-conformances and corrective actions.
- Experience and knowledge of digital forensic examinations.
- Have attended and passed formal accredited training courses relevant to Digital Forensics activities – examination of computer and/or mobile based devices.
- Have attended and passed ISO 17025 Technical Managers Course.
- Have attended and passed an Internal Auditors Course.
Security Clearance
⚠ This post requires British nationality (some dual nationalities may be ineligible) and Security Check vetting clearance.
You will need to undergo additional security clearance checks, with the offer of employment being conditional on obtaining all of the necessary security clearances.
There are limitations on travelling to a small number of countries once in post.
Diversity & Inclusion
We maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness and inclusion to deliver the best service for our communities, whilst protecting them from harm.
Counter Terrorism Policing is always working to build upon our diverse workforce to reflect the country we serve. An inclusive culture enables us to do things differently, working in ways that meet individuals’ needs, flexing working patterns to ensure work-life balance is healthy so that we deliver the best for the organisation.
We are a Disability Confident Leader - the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions. As part of our commitment we operate a Disability Confident Interview Scheme - all candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview.
It is important to note that there may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people who meet the essential criteria for the job. For example, in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. In these circumstances, the employer could select the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job, as they would do for non-disabled applicants.
Advertisement Closing Date
We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if the maximum volume of applications has been reached. Candidates with unsubmitted applications will not be informed prior to the advert closing.
Please do not attach a CV/covering letter as these will not be used during the application process.