As an Operations Officer, you will be responsible for implementing and maintaining tailored protection arrangements for individuals referred to UKPPS by police forces and other state authorities. You will manage a number of protected person cases, ensuring that all activity is conducted in full compliance with relevant legislation, policy and procedural frameworks. The role requires sound judgement and the ability to operate effectively in environments where situations are often time-critical, demanding the ability to prioritise competing demands and manage risk appropriately.
You will work as part of a dedicated operational team, contributing to the delivery of effective and proportionate protective measures. Success in the role requires strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to operate professionally in sensitive and high-risk contexts.
Given the national remit of UKPPS and the nature of threats to life, the role requires a high degree of flexibility and resilience. This includes working irregular hours, travelling throughout the UK and undertaking overnight deployments when required. The position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a highly specialised area of public protection, where professionalism, adaptability and teamwork are essential to safeguarding individuals at the highest levels of risk.
The postholder will be required to complete Operational Development training, including achieving NCA Powers within two years of appointment. This training is essential to ensure officer safety and the effective safeguarding of vulnerable individuals.
Duties and Responsibilities
Case Management - Manage day-to-day delivery of allocated protected person cases, ensuring all activity is conducted in accordance with European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) Articles 2, 6 and 8, SOCPA 2005, Authorised Professional Practice, and NCA policies and procedures.
Risk Assessment & Mitigation - Identify, assess and document risks to protected persons, ensuring appropriate mitigation strategies are developed, implemented and regularly reviewed in line with agreed case management plans.
Operational Deployment - Deploy operationally in support of protected person casework, responding to dynamic and at times time-critical situations requiring sound judgement and adaptability.
Protected Person Engagement - Maintain regular contact with protected persons and, where appropriate, their families, managing sensitive relationships and the pressures that can arise due to their circumstances and status.
Record Management - Prepare and maintain full, accurate and auditable case records, ensuring all documentation meets organisational and evidential standards.
Escalation & Decision Support - Recognise complex or high-risk issues and escalate appropriately to Senior Officers or Operational Managers in a timely manner to support effective decision-making.
Stakeholder Collaboration - Build and sustain effective working relationships with NCA departments, police forces and external partners to support the coordinated delivery of protection arrangements.
Advisory & Representation - Provide professional advice and representation on referrals, including assessing threat-to-life risks and contributing to proportionate and lawful decision-making.
Risk-Based Decision-Making - Demonstrable experience of making effective decisions in challenging and high-pressure environments, with the ability to identify, assess and manage risk proportionately. Able to balance operational urgency with legal, ethical and organisational considerations.
Vulnerability Management - Experience of working with vulnerable, intimidated or at-risk individuals, including those at risk of serious harm. Able to build trust, manage sensitive relationships and gain cooperation to support the implementation of protective arrangements.
Legal Framework Knowledge - Good working knowledge of the UK criminal justice system, including the practical application of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act (CPIA) and relevant disclosure requirements within a law enforcement context.
ECHR Application - Understanding of the ECHR, particularly Articles 2, 6 and 8, and the ability to apply these principles in operational decision-making.
Communication Skills - Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex or sensitive information clearly, professionally and appropriately to a range of audiences.
Interpersonal Skills - Highly developed interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage confidently with protected persons, colleagues and external stakeholders in potentially sensitive or pressured situations.
Partnership Working - Experience of working collaboratively with internal teams and external agencies, contributing to coordinated outcomes and maintaining effective professional relationships.
Organisation & Prioritisation - Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing demands, prioritise effectively and maintain attention to detail, particularly in time-critical environments.
Resilience & Adaptability - Proven ability to remain resilient and adaptable when working in high-risk, fast-paced or uncertain environments, including managing emotional pressures associated with the role.
Integrity & Professionalism - Demonstrates high levels of integrity, discretion and professionalism, particularly when handling sensitive information and operating within secure or covert environments.
Operational Awareness - An understanding of law enforcement operations and the importance of maintaining operational security, including handling sensitive material appropriately.
IT and Record Management - Competent in maintaining accurate records and using IT systems to support case management, ensuring information is recorded, stored and retrieved in line with policy and evidential standards.
On-call working
Operations Officers within UKPPS provide cover 24/7, 365 days a year, one week at a time depending on staffing levels and business needs.
You must meet the essential criteria and evidence this within your application to be considered for the role.
Qualifications, Membership and Licences
Full UK or International Driving Licence - Candidates must hold a valid driving licence permitting them to drive a car in the UK. This may include a full UK driving licence or an appropriate international driving licence recognised for use in the UK, as the role requires regular travel to operational deployments and visits across the country.
Any applications from candidates not meeting this eligibility criteria will not progress.
Desirable criteria are only used for assessment in the event of a tie break.
- National Protected Persons Practitioner Training Course.
- Has experience in one of the following covert policing functions - Protected Persons, HUMINT, UCO or Surveillance.