** Digital Forensic Practitioner

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.

Immigration Enforcement is responsible for enforcing the government’s immigration laws, tackling illegal migration, removing foreign national offenders and immigration offenders from the UK. We also aim to disrupt the organised criminal groups that exploit the vulnerable for their personal gain. Learn more on our careers pages.

As part of Criminal and Financial Investigation (CFI), Cyber & Digital Capabilities (CDC) provides comprehensive digital forensics services to support Immigration Enforcement operations and criminal investigations. This includes the acquisition of data from digital devices as well as the subsequent processing and analysis to provide actionable evidence for criminal investigation teams.

An exciting opportunity for a high-performing individual to join a fast-paced digital forensic unit within a rapidly evolving area of CFI. The role involves the forensic extraction and analysis of data, as well as enhancing audio, video, and photographic evidence using specialist tools. You will produce high-quality outputs to support complex investigations and assist case teams.

All Criminal and Financial Investigation staff are required to disclose any adverse judicial decisions or internal disciplinary matters under Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act (CPIA). Applicants need to bear this in mind when considering their eligibility for this post.

Please be aware that this role involves viewing data contained on electronic devices and therefore poses the risk of viewing indecent material.

You may be required to undertake the same or a similar role within a different team or teams (where possible, at your base location or within reasonable travel distance), depending on business priorities. With appropriate training and support, this will provide opportunities to broaden both your experience and skill set.

Key Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Forensically secure and retrieve data from digital devices in accordance with ISO 17025 and the Forensic Science Regulators (FSR) Codes.
• Analyse and report results to evidential standards, in a format that can be readily understood and evaluated suitable for investigations.
• Provide technical support for Officers viewing data extracted from digital devices.
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date records, ensuring the integrity and continuity of exhibits through robust chain-of-custody procedures.
• Providing expert advice and guidance to investigators and attend court to present evidence when necessary.
• Assist as appropriate in the execution of search warrants, providing specialist advice and guidance on the correct methods of seizing and removing digital devices and other internet enabled equipment.

Working Pattern

Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis.

Shift Working

Successful candidates will need to be able to attend for all shifts including early starts, late night finishes, and overnight shifts. These shifts may be outside of public transport operating hours.

Travel

Travel within the UK and some overseas travel may be required as part of this role.

Open to UK nationals only.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

We will endeavour to conduct the selection process in line with the dates indicated below, but cannot guarantee that these will not, where necessary, be revised.

1. Application – by 31 August 2026

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:

• CV
• Evidence of the Technical Skills: Government Science & Engineering Framework (GSE): Applying Knowledge (Foundation) that align to: Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Career Framework, November 2021 (Version 2) (maximum of 250 words).

Your CV should consist of your career history, qualifications and skills/experience, including any key achievements in each role. Your CV will be scored against the experience required for the role as noted within the essential criteria.

For guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV, Personal Statement and Behaviours), you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.

2. Sift – commencing 02 September 2026

The sift will be held on the CV and Technical Skill, GSE: Applying Knowledge (Foundation), as listed in the advert.

3. Interview – commencing 22 September 2026

If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview that will be Technical Skills and Strength based questions.

For guidance on the Technical skills, GSE: Applying Knowledge (Foundation) and GSE: Developing / Maintaining Expertise (Foundation), please refer to: Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Career Framework, November 2021 (Version 2)

The interview will take place online via MS Teams.

In addition, candidates will be asked to prepare a 10-minute presentation that will be delivered at interview. The presentation question/scenario will be provided to you with your interview invitation (should you be successful at sift). Slides are optional.

The presentation will be assessed against Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Career Framework, November 2021 (Version 2) and will be assessed against the Technical Skill GSE: Regulatory Knowledge (Foundation).

For guidance and information on what to expect and how to prepare for an interview, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers.

Problems during the application process

If you experience problems accessing this advert, or you think you’ve made a mistake on an initial application, please contact hocandidates.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk, including the vacancy reference, at least two working days before the vacancy closes. Further information can be found on our website.

Do not create or attempt to submit another application, online test or use a different Civil Service Jobs account to proceed as this would be in violation of the candidate declaration.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made. There is no guarantee that being held on a reserve list will lead to a job offer. Further information can be found on our website.

Breaking Tied Scores

The technical skills and strengths have been ranked in order of importance to enable us to differentiate between candidates with tied interview scores.

Standards

All Civil Servants are expected to comply with the Civil Service Code, and its core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.

Integrity Check

As well as successfully obtaining UK Security Vetting clearance, you will also be subject to an additional Integrity Check, as part of the pre-employment process, to determine your suitability to work for Border Force or Immigration Enforcement. For further information on what this involves, please visit our website.

Reasonable Adjustments

If a person with disabilities is at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
• Complete the “Assistance Required” section in the “Additional Requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a language service professional

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.

Further information

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct.

If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.