Senior Criminal Enforcement Officer, Business Support & Performance - £42,410 (National) or £46,160 (London) p.a. + benefits

Job summary

We are currently looking for a Senior Criminal Enforcement Officer, ‘Business Support and Performance’ to join our Criminal Enforcement Unit Function within the Safety & Surveillance group.

This is a permanent full-time opportunity. The role is a home-based role but will require occasional travel to 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU or South Mimms, Hertfordshire. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Who are we?

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.

The Criminal Enforcement Unit (CEU) is the dedicated law enforcement function of the MHRA. Its strategic aim is to reduce and eliminate offences involving medicines and medical devices, protecting public health and maintaining confidence in the UK's regulatory framework.

The Unit investigates serious and organised crime linked to the illegal manufacture, importation and supply of medicines and medical devices, using intelligence-led approaches to identify threats and target those who seek to profit from criminality. We work closely with law enforcement, government, regulatory and international partners to protect the public and safeguard the integrity of the UK's medicines and medical devices supply chains.

The Unit comprises a highly skilled multidisciplinary workforce with experience drawn from policing, Regional Organised Crime Units, the National Crime Agency, intelligence, regulatory enforcement and other specialist disciplines. The CEU consists of seven teams, each reporting to a Grade 7 Senior Manager. These teams are aligned to one of two Commands: Intelligence and Innovation, and Investigation and Disruption. Each is led by a Head of Command, who reports directly to the Deputy Director of Criminal Enforcement.

Working in the CEU offers the opportunity to contribute directly to protecting public health, tackling crime, and making a tangible impact on the safety of patients and the wider public.

Job description

What’s the role?

The ‘Business Support & Performance’, Senior Criminal Enforcement Officer role is an SEO grade working within the Analysis, Outreach and Support team. Their core responsibilities are to:

• Support activities that prevent, disrupt and reduce medicines and medical devices-related offending.
• Deliver work to a high professional standard and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.
• Work effectively with colleagues across the Criminal Enforcement Unit and wider Agency to achieve shared objectives.
• Contribute to projects and initiatives that improve operational effectiveness and organisational performance.
• Adapt to changing priorities and support different areas of work as required.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the CEU’s business support and governance functions, overseeing audit activity, team training requirements, exhibits management, and contracts and purchasing to ensure effective and accountable operational delivery
• Oversee the collation and interpretation of performance information to identify trends, risks and opportunities, providing clear insight and recommendations to senior stakeholders and driving continuous improvement.

Who are we looking for?

Our successful candidate will:

• Have recent experience, gained within a law enforcement or criminal intelligence setting.
• Be able to lead a team within a dynamic operational environment.
• Be comfortable managing various business support and performance management functions to ensure effective operational and strategic delivery.
• Have a full UK driving licence
• Be able to undertake manual lifting and handling activities as part of their duties, if required.

Person specification

Method of assessment: A=Application, I=Interview

Behaviour Criteria:

• Working Together (I)
• Changing and Improving (I)
• Managing a Quality Service (I)

Experience Criteria:

• Planning, prioritising and coordinating competing workstreams, ensuring high-quality outcomes are delivered within agreed timescales (A, I) .
• Leading or coordinating operational activity, projects or initiatives that deliver measurable outcomes and continuous improvement (A, I) .

Technical Criteria:

• Demonstrable ability to coordinate the use of IT systems and business tools to collect, interpret and present performance data, producing meaningful management information to support decision-making and continuous improvement (A, I) .
• Excellent organisational and planning skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple workstreams, prioritise competing demands and deliver to agreed deadlines (A, I) .
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, to a range of audiences (A, I) .

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification! (specifically, Experience, Technical 1, Technical 3b)

Please note: The job description may not open in some internet browsers. Please use Chrome or Microsoft Edge. If you have any issue viewing the job description, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk

Behaviours

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

• Working Together
• Changing and Improving
• Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills

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

• Demonstrable ability to coordinate the use of IT systems and business tools to collect, interpret and present performance data, producing meaningful management information to support decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple workstreams, prioritise competing demands and deliver to agreed deadlines
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, to a range of audiences

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £42,410, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes

£12,286 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Annual Leave: 25 days annual leave on entry, rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff. PLUS 8 bank holidays
• Privilege Leave: 1 day
• Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff
• Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): One month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of six months full pay and six months half pay after five years’ service.
• Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allowing staff to be mobile across the Civil Service
• Civil Service Pension Scheme. Please see the link for further information http://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/ For enquiries relating to the Civil Service Pension Schemes please contact MyCSP's Pension Service Centre directly on 0300 123 6666
• Flexible working to ensure staff maintain a healthy work-life balance
• Interest free season ticket loan or bike loan
• Employee Assistance Services and access to the Civil Service Benevolent Fund
• Eligibility to join Motoring , Boundless by CSMA
• Variety of staff and Civil Service clubs
• On-going learning and development

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

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

• An anonymised CV outlining your job history and previous skills/experience that demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria.
• Online application form , including questions based on the Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profiles. Please ensure all application questions are completed in full; your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank.
• Interview , which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.

In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of: Recent experience, demonstrated within an investigative or intelligence law enforcement setting.

Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role. Applications are scored based on the competency-based answers provided- ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time. You can view the competencies for this role in the job description.

If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk as soon as possible.

• Closing date: 5 October 2026
• Shortlisting date: 6 October 2026 onwards
• Interview date: 29 October 2026 onwards
• If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk

Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here .

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check as well as animal rights and pro-life activism checks. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks .

Certain roles within the MHRA will require post holders to have vaccinations, and in some circumstances, routine health surveillance. These roles include:

• Laboratory-based roles working directly with known pathogens
• Maintenance roles, particularly those required to work in laboratory settings
• Roles that involve visiting other establishments where vaccination is required
• Roles required to travel overseas where specific vaccination may be required.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Any move to the MHRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility here .

Individuals appointed on level transfer will retain their existing salary and are responsible for ensuring they fully understand the financial implications of any potential move and the impact (if any) on their terms. If an individual is in any doubt, they should seek clarification before accepting a job of