Job Title – RIPA 2000 Gatekeeper

Division – Enforcement and Markets Oversight

Department - Specialist Intelligence

Team – Specialist Collection Team 2

Salary – London only £47,300 to £63,033 per annum (Salary offered will be based on skills and experience)

About the FCA

The FCA regulates the conduct of 45,000 firms in the UK to ensure our financial markets are honest, fair and competitive. Follow this link to find out more About the FCA .

The Specialist Intelligence Department (SID) delivers insight and impact from intelligence to support the FCA in its statutory responsibilities. Harnessing intelligence to combat financial crime and secure regulatory outcomes is at the core of the department’s function.

The department contributes the intelligence picture to investigations into regulatory breaches insider dealing and investment fraud. This includes vetting listing, authorisation, approved person applications and supporting the FCA’s work with whistle-blowers.

This specific role will provide support within the FCA’s work linked to Market Abuse, Insider Dealing, Fraud and Money Laundering, through the provision of specialist capabilities, delivered from internal capabilities in partnership with external bodies.

What will you be doing?

• Reviewing and assessing applications for covert techniques to ensure they meet legal and ethical standards

• Providing relevant legislative assurance and ensuring all activity is compliant with Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) and, other relevant legislation related to Directed Surveillance and Covert Human Intelligence Source (CHIS), protecting individuals’ rights while maintaining operational effectiveness

• Act as a Tactical Advisor to provide expert advice to internal customers on the strategic use of covert capabilities and specialist investigative methods

• Ensure the SID upholds its covert capabilities in accordance with best practices and legal standards

• Develop and maintain relationships with key external partners to provide specialist covert resources in support of FCA criminal investigation activity

• To provide a RIPA gatekeeper function (aligned to a Central Authorities Bureau (CAB))

What will you get from the role?

• The ability to contribute and play a vital role in managing and advancing cases efficiently

• Significant exposure to the fundamental functions of the FCA

• An opportunity to build upon your existing skills, expertise and knowledge to develop your career within the FCA

Which skills are required?

We are a Disability Confident Employer; therefore, disabled people or individuals with long-term conditions who best meet the minimum criteria for a role will go through to the next stage of the recruitment process. (To learn more about the Disability Confident Scheme Click Here)

Minimum

• Experience of a gatekeeper role and/or Central Authority Bureau (CAB) applying the legislative parameters of RIPA and other associated legislation (CPIA etc)

• Prior experience working within a specialist intelligence environment, offering guidance and support on the development of various covert techniques within the UK Criminal Justice System

Essential

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, ensuring clarity when engaging with colleagues unfamiliar with covert techniques

• Able to work cooperatively in both formal and informal teams to drive successful outcomes

• Ability to make informed, strategic decisions promptly, cutting through complexity to see the bigger picture

• Proven ability to develop and sustain effective working relationships within the organisation and with external stakeholders

• A strong awareness of risk management within the gatekeeper role

• Strong knowledge of Open-Source Intelligence acquisition, with a clear understanding of the associated Human Rights considerations

• Knowledge of the IPCA inspection regime

Our Values & Diversity

We are proud to be an inclusive employer and our ambition is to cultivate a culture for all employees that respects their individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe that our differences and similarities enable us to be a better organisation – one that makes better decisions, drives innovation, and delivers better regulation.

Within the workplace you will have access to various employee resource groups which aim to promote and achieve a healthy work / life balance and support our diversity ambitions.

Did you know? 50% of our Executive Committee were the first in their family to attend university.

Benefits of working at the FCA

• 25 days holiday per year plus bank holidays

• Hybrid working (work from home up to 60% of your time)

• Private healthcare with Bupa

• A non-contributory Pension of at least 8% of basic salary each month (there are several contribution levels that increase depending on your age – up to 12% a month once you reach age 35)

• Life assurance of eight times your basic salary

• Income protection

We also have a competitive flexible benefits scheme which gives you the opportunity to create a personalised benefits package, tailored to suit your lifestyle.

We welcome applications from candidates who are looking for flexible arrangements.

Many of our staff work flexibly including working part-time, staggered hours, and job shares. We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want but we can explore what might work best for both sides.

Follow this link to see what life is like at the FCA - Life at the FCA

Application Support

We are dedicated to removing barriers and ensuring our application process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition requiring changes to the recruitment process, please contact your recruiter using the details below and they will be happy to discuss this further with you.

Useful Information and Timeline

• This role is graded as Regulatory

• Advert Closing Date: 25th May 2025

• CV Review/Shortlist: 28th May 2025

• Case Study Assessment and Competency Based Interview: WC 2nd June 2025

• SC Clearance is required for this role (SC Guidance) - you will hold or will be required to obtain Security Clearance (SC) level vetting

Your Recruiter will discuss the process in detail with you during screening for the role, therefore, please make them aware if you are going to be unavailable for any date during this time.

Got a question?

If you are interested in learning more about the role, please contact Rumana Hussain at Rumana.Hussain@fca.org.uk

Applications must be submitted through our online portal. Applications sent via email will not be accepted.