Salary: Band 8 £36,066 - £41,028

Location: Sunderland

Hours/Contract: 37, 12 Months FTC/Secondment

Working for: North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (“NEROCU”)

The North East Regional Organised Crime Unit is one of nine Regional Organised Crime Units (“ROCU”) in England and Wales who lead the regional response to tackling serious and organised crime whilst supporting local and national delivery. The ROCU network continues to expand and Home Office funding through police officer uplift and increased police staff capacity presents exciting opportunities to further enhance service delivery and positively impact on our partners and the public. The Home Office Serious and Organised Crime Strategy defines ROCU as leading the regional fight against Serious and Organised Crime and NEROCU have a critical role in leading, connecting and co-ordinating delivery across our region in all four P’s of the strategy; Pursue – prosecuting and disrupting people engaged in serious and organised criminality. Prevent – preventing people from engaging in serious and organised criminality. Protect – increasing protection against organised crime. Prepare – reducing the impact of serious and organised crime where it takes place. NEROCU comprises of specialist teams delivering across intelligence, operations, investigations, cyber, economic, technical and digital capabilities.

Learn about our full benefits package

The role

Play a key role in disrupting serious and organised crime by delivering high‑quality research, analysis and investigative insight. You’ll turn complex intelligence and partnership data into clear, actionable findings that support tactical and strategic decisions aligned to the 4P principles. You will also represent NEROCU through analytical products, presentations, briefings and evidential statements, working closely with colleagues and partners to deepen understanding of SOC threats and identify opportunities to reduce harm across the region.

We are seeking a Dark Web Analyst on a 12 month basis—someone committed to strengthening our analytical capability and supporting our mission. Working with data science colleagues and partner organisations, you will design and deliver data‑driven solutions and help build analytical expertise within law enforcement.

You’ll work with a wide range of stakeholders, including officers and staff, senior leaders, barristers, judges, technical specialists and external partners. Your experience in a data‑led environment—where analysis shapes organisational understanding and operational outcomes—will be essential to driving meaningful impact.

What you’ll do

Identify, plan and conduct data collection and integration to meet analysis requirements; tasking Researchers to assist in the collection of data. Identify opportunities and implement solutions using data analytical techniques (e.g. programming) to manage and interpret large and complex datasets.
Represent NEROCU, as required, give presentations, and attend briefings, seminars and conferences; liaising with police personnel, partner agencies and external organisations to gather and share information and intelligence and coordinate analytical products.
Independently develop inferences and test hypotheses concerning the nature and scope of criminal activity and regional serious and organised crime threats, to influence and support operational decision making.
Conduct analysis to produce conclusions, identify intelligence gaps and make recommendations for action and problem solutions, to inform tactical and strategic decision making of operational managers, in line with the 4P principles.
Identify regional, cross-border and national SOC threats and produce analytical products to inform Regional Tactical and Strategic Tasking and Coordination processes.
Assess, grade and disseminate intelligence, including appropriate handling conditions and adhering to relevant data management protocols whilst understanding, assessing and managing risk.
Analyse and overlay a range of data types, which include, but are not limited to: communications data, geolocation data, financial information, ANPR, intelligence and to include advanced open source research on both clear and Dark Web.
Track and trace cryptocurrency across blockchains and be central to cryptocurrency investigations across various platforms

Sound interesting? For further information, and to support your application, please view the job description.

What you’ll bring

Essential:

Knowledge of data analysis and intelligence.
A willingness to achieve and maintain a high level of digital knowledge and professional development in around knowledge of existing and emerging threats and risks in the Dark Web arena.
Proven ability to plan and manage own workload to strict deadlines.
Experience of problem solving and managing large dataset effectively.
Able to work effectively within a small team whilst forming strong relationships with partner agencies and companies.
Proven ability to convey complex information in simple terms and meet the needs of the audience.
Confident communicating at all levels within an organisation, including promoting news ideas and approaches effectively.
Willingness to travel throughout the UK (full driving licence preferred).

Desirable:

Qualified to a degree level or demonstrate work experience at an equivalent level.
Experience in data extraction and manipulation using appropriate methodologies and analytical techniques to meet customer requirements.
Knowledge of data security, access control and data protection principles and legislation.
Understanding of Cryptocurrencies and financial intelligence.
Understanding of the Dark web.
Competent in programming languages and concepts Python/R others.

We know it's important for you to feel that you're not only part of a great team, but part of a community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Harnessing these differences creates a productive environment in which everyone feels valued, and their talents are fully utilised. Appointments are based on merit alone.

Interested to learn more? For further information about the role please contact careers@northumbria.police.uk.

What we offer

26 days’ leave (increasing to 30 days for 5 years+ service) plus 8 bank holidays
NHS Fleet Solutions Car Lease Scheme
Enhanced maternity, shared parental and adoption leave
Flexi time - allowing you to fit your working hours around your individual needs
Flexible working (we are happy to discuss options such as compressed hours)
Agile working – option to work from home, your team zone, and spaces across the force
Fantastic market-leading public sector pension scheme with up to 16% employer contribution
Corporate travel schemes – local rail, bus services and metro discounts
Access to private healthcare and eye test vouchers
Discounts on shopping and eating out thanks to the Blue Light Card and Blue Light Tickets
We’ve invested in extensive paid sick leave, trained mental health first aiders on-site, an employee advice service for the times you need that additional support.
Access to gyms in some stations
Sports & Social Club – join our thriving sports scene at Team NP and enjoy further exclusive discounts on days out and travel
Cycle to work scheme
Opportunity to volunteer in local community

Just so you know

Our application form will help us understand how your work, education and life experience has prepared you for the role of an Analyst Dark Web with #TeamNP. To help support your application research what makes us tick here at Northumbria, the role you’re applying for and the values and behaviours that contribute.

Use of AI in Applications: At Northumbria Police, we embrace innovative technologies to enhance our recruitment process. We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While AI can be a valuable resource, we encourage applicants to ensure their submissions accurately reflect their personal qualifications, experiences, and skills. Our selection process includes thorough evaluations to verify the authenticity and suitability of all applications. We value genuine and thoughtful responses that showcase your unique strengths and perspectives.

The recruitment process will consist of the initial application form followed by a face-to-face interview. so, you know, you can save your application and come back to it any time prior to the closing date on the advert.

We are proud members of the Business Disability Forum, with whom we collaborate with to improve the lives of disabled employees. We are also a Disability Confident Employer, therefore if you demonstrate that you meet the minimum criteria for this role as stated in the advert, we will progress your application and offer you an interview.

If you tell us that you have a disability, we can make adjustments to support you through the recruitment process (for example we can arrange extra time for tests or provide a sign language interpreter) You can get in touch with us via careers@northumbria.police.uk for any support regarding the application process. Please provide us with plenty of notice so we can ensure your visit goes smoothly.

If your application is successful, we’ll ask you to complete a Management Vetting (MV)/ Developed Vetting (DV) form, therefore you must be a resident of the UK for a minimum period of 5 years to ensure vetting checks can be successfully performed. A job offer will be dependent upon vetting clearance, medical information, and references.

Terms of appointment

This is a fixed term role subject to a six-month probationary period.

If you are successful in your application, you will have a six-month probation period with us where you will be unable to apply for any other post advertised internally or externally.

Please note if you are a current NEROCU/Northumbria Police employee interested in applying for this role as a secondment opportunity, please discuss this with your Line Manager and gain agreement prior to applying.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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