Threat and Risk Assessment, Capability Exploration and Research (TRACER) is a collaborative business function being established and operated through the National Crime Agency (NCA). TRACER operates in partnership with the Communications Capabilities Unit (CCU), National Technical Assistance Centre (NTAC) and the National Communications Data Services (NCDS). The Accelerated Capabilities Environment (ACE) and the Internet Data Unit (iDU) are key delivery partners,

At full operating capability, TRACER will provide the opportunity and threat management for digital communications associated with investigations using digital means and will develop qualified propositions detailing how the community could reduce the risk associated with those identified threats. The current scope of this threat and opportunities management is IPA related covering Communications Data (CD), Targeted Interception (TI) and Targeted Equipment Interference (TEI).
TRACER is searching for Innovation Leads to join the Innovation & Proposition business area. A dynamic, creative and innovative team which will be responsible for developing effective interventions to the digital challenges facing the LEA Community.

The Innovation & Proposition Team develop propositions in response to the threats and opportunities that have been identified by the Opportunity & Threat Assessment Capability (OTAC) within the digital environment. The team will work collaboratively with a range of different organisations from across government, industry and academia with an emphasis on proactive co-ordination and facilitation of an appropriate response to the threat or opportunity.

Working with a range of new and emerging technologies Innovation Leads will need to keep up to date with a range of technologies and work closely with the TRACER OTAC and Strategic Customer Relationship Management (SCRM) teams to identify emerging trends.

Job description

We encourage all candidates to thoroughly review the candidate pack which explains the role further before submitting an application.
If you have any specific queries about the role that is not covered by the candidate pack, please contact:
ncarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

TRACER is searching for Innovation Leads to join the Innovation & Proposition business area. A dynamic, creative and innovative team which will be responsible for developing effective interventions to the digital challenges facing the LEA Community.

As part of developing responses, the team will need to describe concepts and approve responses that will involve complex technologies to non-technical customers, engaging with a range of stakeholders, including Communications Service Providers, to build buy-in for any proposed changes and create enthusiasm and desire for the required changes.

The ideal candidate will be creative and visionary, able to observe and understand how to get to the needs of users and customers through design thinking principles. You should have experience of working within a fast paced and agile R&D environment, working on a range of varied (complexity, time and size) initiatives with strong technical and business judgement and the ability to make sound decisions, often under pressure.

You will have a wide understanding of current technology and an appreciation of technological strategy, innovation and planning. You should be a critical thinker and have the ability to articulate complex technical problems and appropriate solutions with non-technical stakeholders. You will need to be constantly striving for simplicity, and at the same time demonstrate significant creativity, innovation, ingenuity and judgement.

You will be self-motivated, be comfortable with ambiguity and be able to work effectively at pace. You will be able to communicate your ideas clearly and concisely, take positives from failure, be open to change and new ideas and be able to work successfully with a diverse range of people. You must have the ability to establish and manage positive relationships, building high levels of trust and creating a culture of supporting innovation across stakeholder groups.
 

Responsibilities

Key Activities include:

? Research, identify, devise, design and implement solutions to complex problems.
? Develop and propose experiments & ideas leveraging relations with customers, suppliers & technology partners.
? Initiate and co-ordinate discovery and innovation activity to develop optimal solutions.
? Actively engage with and influence a wide range of stakeholders across government, academia and industry to generate high quality, cost effective proposals sometimes in short order to address the need.
? Simultaneously work across multiple projects co-ordinating effort across and with extended teams.
? Provide recommendations for future work based on evidenced findings (including taking the decision to stop work if required).
? Provide effective communication and status updates to internal and external stakeholders and customers.
? Ensure all documentation is completed as and when required.
? Support the Head of Innovation and Propositions and wider TRACER team in evolving and developing the business.

To be considered, you will need to successfully complete an SC Enhanced clearance before commencing the role.

You will also be required to undertake a mandatory pre-employment substance misuse test and achieve a satisfactory result.

***All NCA officers must hold SC Enhanced upon entry as a minimum. To meet the National Security Vetting requirements for this role you will need to have resided in the UK for a minimum of 3 out of the past 5 years. For more information please see the Candidate information Pack***

Qualifications

The following qualifications/skills are essential to the role and proof will be required at interview:

Essential Qualifications/Skills:
• Bachelor’s degree in technology related subject such as STEM subject. Ideally advanced degree or equivalent experience is essential.

Please ensure the dates of any accreditations you are relying on, are entered on to the CV.

Should you progress to the assessment stage of the process, you will be required to provide a copy of the original certificate.

Failure to provide evidence at interview may result in your application not progressing to the next stage.

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Self-motivated and proactive with demonstrated creative and critical thinking capabilities.
• Effective communication and ability to work effectively as part of a diverse and often remote team.
• Comprehends and deals well with rapid development and prototyping; remains flexible and calm in the face of uncertainty.
• Experience of research and development and the pull through into operations.
• Experience of working with agile methodologies.
• Experience of working with a range of technologies
• Experience of working with a range of Law Enforcement digital technologies that are relevant to the communication capabilities

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check