Protected persons

Read our recruitment FAQs here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Topics
Vacancy and Application
Eligibility and Pre-Employment Checks
NCA Grades
Civil Service Commission
Salary and Pensions
General

Vacancy and Application  

Can I apply if I am not currently a civil servant?
Yes. Externally advertised roles are open to all suitably qualified people.

Are positions offered on a permanent basis?
Externally advertised roles are normally offered on a permanent basis. For some positions they may also be open on a 2 year secondment or loan basis. Occasionally they are just offered on a secondment or loan basis. Please refer to the advertisement of the role you are interested in.

Am I able to apply for part-time working?
This will depend on the role that you are applying for. Most roles are available for appointment full-time and job share. Some are also open to part-time working. Operational roles will sometimes require on-call rotas and/or flexibility in working hours. Please refer to the advertisement of the role you are interested in.

Where will the role be based?
All available locations will be listed on the advertisement for each role.

Can I apply for a location not listed on the advertisement?
No. You can only apply for the specific locations listed in the advertisement.

Can I apply for multiple locations if they are listed in the advertisement?
Yes. You can apply for up to three locations in order of preference if they are listed in the advertisement. Please only list locations you are able to accept if offered as you may be offered any of your location preferences dependant on business requirements. 

I have applied for NCA vacancies in the past and have been unsuccessful. Can I apply again?
Yes. You can apply again.

Can I claim back any expenses incurred during the recruitment process?
No. Unfortunately we will not be able to reimburse you, except in exceptional circumstances and only when agreed in advance.

What reasonable adjustments can be made if I have a disability?
The NCA is a Disability Confident Leader and therefore part of the Disability Confident Scheme. For further information regarding disabilities covered under the scheme and the equality act, please visit https://www.gov.uk/definition-of-disability-under-equality-act-2010
We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all and will try to remove any barriers so you are not at a disadvantage during the selection/recruitment process/ interview / assessment including; allowing extra time during selection tests; ensuring that information is provided in an accessible format; or by providing training. We are also committed to interviewing all applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the role applied for.
The minimum criteria is defined as holding the essential qualifications/ accreditations as well as meeting the minimum scoring benchmark for the listed behaviours, technicals, experience and skills listed in the person specification. Unless otherwise specified in the advertisement, criteria is scored on a scale of 1-7 and a score of 4 or above on all criteria is deemed as meeting the benchmark.
If you feel that you may need a reasonable adjustment to be made, or you would like to discuss the Disability Confident scheme in more detail please contact us as soon as possible on 0117 372 0000 or email central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk
If you wish to receive a hard copy of the information, or in an alternative format e.g. Audio, Braille or large font, then please contact: central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk

Where can I get help with my application?
Please refer to the Applying and Onboarding page. You can also contact our recruitment team directly:
Email: central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk
Telephone: 0117 372 0000

Can I amend my application or add additional detail once I have submitted it?
No. Once an application is submitted, it cannot be amended.
If I apply for a vacancy and withdraw from the recruitment process, can I re-enter the process at a later stage?
No. You cannot re-enter the process for a specific vacancy once you have withdrawn.

Do you offer any interview schemes?
As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to interviewing all applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the role applied for.
We also offer a similar scheme for Veterans in line with the A Great Place to Work for Veterans scheme.
To be considered under these schemes, please complete the relevant section of the online application form.

What should I do if I can’t attend my interview?
Please email the recruitment team at central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk as soon as possible quoting the vacancy reference number, job title and your full name. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to offer an alternative date but will try to reschedule wherever possible.

Can I get feedback on my application?
Due to volume of applications, we do not offer feedback at sift stage. Applicants progressing to interview stage will be able to access their scores via the recruitment portal.

Eligibility and Pre-Employment Checks

Do I need security clearance to work for the NCA?
Yes. The NCA conduct enhanced pre-employment checks on top of standard SC to determine suitability to work for an organisation combatting serious and organised crime. All NCA officers must hold SC Enhanced clearance upon entry as a minimum.
Failure to achieve SC Enhanced will result in the job offer being withdrawn.
Individuals will be required to undertake and pass a substance misuse test as part of pre-employment checks.
Some NCA roles require officers to obtain DV Enhanced either on entry or within 12 months of entry. If DV Enhanced cannot be obtained within 12 months of entry, the officer will be required to move to a non-DV role.
For selected DV Enhanced roles, if you fail to obtain DV enhanced clearance within 12 months of starting work, or, if your application is delayed for reasons beyond your control within whatever extended period the NCA deems reasonable, then your contract of employment is at risk of termination in accordance with the terms of your contract of employment, which includes an obligation to consider redeployment.
Details of the level of security clearance required can be found in the advertisement.
More information about the vetting process can be found via the following links:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/security-vetting-and-clearance.
https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/careers/applying-and-onboarding

Are there any residency requirements in order to apply to the NCA?
To meet National Security Vetting requirements, you will need to have resided in the UK for at a minimum 3 out of the past 5 years for SC clearance and a minimum of 7 out of 10 years for DV clearance. You will still be considered if you were posted abroad as part of your service with the HMG or armed forces or a UK government role during this period. Please make sure you meet these requirements before applying for any NCA role.

What nationality do I need to hold in order to apply?
You must meet Civil Service nationality standards to join the NCA. We’ll normally only appoint nationals from the UK, Republic of Ireland, the Commonwealth and the European Economic Area. It is important that you have not spent a significant time abroad immediately prior to your application.
Nationality requirements will depend on the level of security clearance required for the role.

For roles requiring SC Enhanced or DV Clearance
Roles requiring SC Enhanced or DV Clearance are open to the UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non-EEA nationals.
From 1 January 2021 this job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries
• European Economic Area (EEA) nationals with (or eligible for) status under the European Union Settlement
• Scheme (EUSS)
• relevant EEA or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• relevant EEA or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service certain family
• members of the relevant (European Union) EU and Turkish nationals

For roles requiring DV STRAP Clearance
To be eligible for employment for DV STRAP roles you must be a British national.
Dual nationality applicants may be considered for DV STRAP roles.
Please contact: central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk to discuss eligibility requirements further.

For more information on job nationality requirements and the right to work in the UK, see the Civil Service Nationality rules and the UK Visas and Immigration rules.

Is there an age limit to apply to the NCA?
There is no upper age limit to becoming an NCA officer, but you must be at least 18 years old. As long as you're fit enough and have the skills and experience we're looking for then age isn't a barrier. All new starters have a health screening as part of pre-employment checks to ensure that you're fit enough to perform in the role.
Any essential requirements for specific NCA posts will be listed in the job specification and advert.

Do I need to provide the NCA with a copy of my qualifications or accreditation?
For certain roles you will be asked on application to provide copies of documentation which are important, or this may be part of your pre-employment checks process. You should always ensure that any certification or accreditation you have gained whilst with a previous employer is available to the NCA before you leave.

NCA Grades

How does the NCA grading structure compare to the civil service and police?
The NCA operates its own grade structure, the below table shows our grades in comparison with our civil service and police colleagues.

Civil Service Commission

What is the role of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) in relation to recruitment into the Civil Service?
The Civil Service Commission provides assurance that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. For the most senior posts in the Civil Service, the Commission discharges its responsibilities directly by overseeing the recruitment process and by a Commissioner chairing the selection panel to hear and determine appeals made by civil servants under the Civil Service Code which sets out the Civil Service values – Honesty, Integrity, Impartiality and Objectivity – and forms part of the relationship between civil servants and their employer.

Will this role be overseen by the Civil Service Commission?
The recruitment process is subject to the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles.

What do I do if I want to make a complaint?
For non-CSC led
If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment principles and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk in the first instance.

What should I do if I think that I have a conflict of interest?
Candidates must note the requirement to declare any interests that might cause questions to be raised about their approach to the business of the Department.
If you believe that you may have a conflict of interest please contact central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk before submitting your application.

Salary and Pensions

What will my salary be?
Starting pay will be the salary stated in the advertisement or the minimum of the pay range for the grade of the role.
‘Spot Rate’ roles offer a progressive increase in pay to reflect the skills and experience of the officer. The starting Spot Rate will be stated in the advertisement. Progression to a higher Spot Rate is only achievable once in post. Eligibility for Spot Rate is determined by the requirements of the role, not the skills or capabilities of the officer occupying the role. Roles where IPP or PIP2 accreditation is essential are eligible for spot rates.
Roles based in London will receive an additional London Weighting allowance. Details of the current allowance will be included in the advertisement if applicable.
Roles based in Chelmsford/Stevenage will receive an additional South East allowance. Details of the current allowance will be included in the advertisement if applicable.
Some roles may include a Recruitment and Retention Allowance (RRA). The RRA is an enhancement to the role and is reviewed annually. Details of the RRA will be included in the advertisement if applicable.
If applying on Secondment and you are the equivalent grade you will remain on your current salary for the duration of your Secondment.
Pay principles on Civil Service transfers apply for current civil servants transferring to the NCA at the equivalent grade.
Pay principles for existing NCA officers can be found in the NCA Remuneration policy (HR04 OP03).
Civil service salary matching is not permitted on the Spot rate structure.

I am in receipt of a public service pension. If I am employed by the NCA how will this affect my salary/pension?
This will depend on your pension scheme rules and you should always seek advice from your scheme provider. However, in general terms the amount you receive by way of salary and pension combined should not exceed what was previously earned by your total salary (including any allowances) at the time of retirement. Where the salary on re-employment plus pension does exceed the previous level of earnings, abatement will usually apply. This means that either your pension or salary will be reduced.
After joining the amount of abatement may change if, for example:

• You are promoted permanently or temporarily
• Your conditioned hours change
• You benefit from a retrospective pay rise that changes either: the salary that was used to work out your pension before you retired, or the salary that was used in your new post when we initially worked out your abatement.
• You become entitled to a new pensionable allowance.

Abatement is not increased as a result of normal annual pay rises or if you work overtime.
For further details on civil service pensions go to www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk and search for abatement.

What is the position if I am in receipt of a Police Pension?
If you are in receipt of a Police Pension and you join the NCA after retirement via a fair and open recruitment process then abatement will usually NOT apply. For further information on how abatement is applied you can contact your pension administrator or speak to the NCA Recruitment team.

I have previously worked in the civil service is there a route to be re-instated without applying for an externally advertised post?
Former civil servants who were previously appointed on merit on the basis of fair and open competition may be re-appointed (to a permanent or fixed-term appointment) within a maximum of five years of leaving the Civil Service without going through a further open competition. They must meet the essential selection criteria for the new role and the new role must be at their previous substantive Pay Band, or lower. This is known as ‘Exception 5’ of the Civil Service Recruitment Principles. Individuals who wish to explore this route should contact the recruitment team to discuss options.

If I join or return to the NCA via this route will abatement apply?
Yes, if you are considering joining/returning to the NCA via this route and you are in receipt of a public sector pension including any of the police pension schemes the abatement rules will always apply.
For additional information on secondments and pensions, please click here: https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/who-we-are/publications/252-general-guidance-on-secondments-and-pensions-pdf/file
For additional information on Civil Service Pensions, please click here: https://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/joining-the-pension-scheme/benefits-of-the-pension-scheme/

General

How does the NCA process my personal information?
For information regarding your rights and how NCA treat the personal details you provide to us please follow this link: https://nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/privacy-and-cookie-policy

What are the benefits to working for the NCA?
There are many benefits to working for the NCA. Please refer to our Benefits and Support page for more details.

Can I still access childcare vouchers if I join the NCA?
No. Any move to National Crime Agency 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 at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/