Intelligence Source Handler
| Posting date: | 10 June 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £34,000 to £35,700 per year |
| Additional salary information: | Plus allowance of between 35% and 39% which equates to an additional £11,900 to £13,260 per annum based on salary minimum. |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 23 June 2025 |
| Location: | Heathrow |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 409419/1 |
Summary
Home Office Intelligence brings together a number of existing teams involved in the collection and analysis of border and immigration related intelligence. It delivers Intelligence Collection, Development, Analysis, Targeting (Data Analytics) and Watchlisting capabilities within the Home Office and to its partners across Government and Law Enforcement. Learn more on the HO Intelligence careers page.
Home Office Intelligence (HOI) has one Source Development Unit, which primarily manages the recruitment of Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS).
The role of a CHIS handler involves the collection and management of information from persons reporting serious criminality. Handlers will be responsible for the general relationship with such persons and maintaining a duty of care, considering all aspects of legality and welfare.
Handlers are expected to work with highly sensitive intelligence ensuring that the information is shared with internal and external partners in a timely and secure manner.
You will be involved in the recruitment and management of persons who provide information to HOI regarding serious crime. This is a role which deals directly with persons who are often themselves, part of the criminal fraternity and one which requires staff to operate in high risk environments. As a Handler you are part of Sensitive Intelligence, collecting and managing sensitive information in support of intelligence and investigation teams.
The role can be highly stressful as you are required to work potentially long and unsociable hours at short notice.
Key Responsibilities:
The functions of the CHIS Recruitment officer will include, but are not restricted to:
- Identification and recruitment of potential CHIS for the Dedicated Source Units (DSUs).
- Initial contact and management of recruitment strategy of prospective CHIS, and recording/dissemination of intelligence product.
- Liaison with internal and external operational partners to identify CHIS opportunity.
- Conduct research and due diligence on prospective CHIS, to promote a safe working environment through effective risk assessment of every CHIS deployment and dynamic risk assessment of every situation
- Maintaining the SDUs security standards.
- Promoting a professional working environment by maintaining the highest standards of behaviour and integrity
Working Pattern
Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis.
The role requires a high flexibility working pattern, with regular On Call demands and some weekend working.
A full-time, shift-working pattern primarily of early and late duties is anticipated, due to the specialist nature of both posts.
Training
You will receive full training and support to undertake the role. Training takes place initially in the classroom and then continues on the job with a mentor who supports you until you are fully confident in the role. Even then you are never alone; you work as part of a team where there is always someone around for advice and support. Further information on what the training involves can be found on our website.
The SDU is currently undergoing significant transformation with a focus on moving towards targeted recruitment of CHIS, and it is expected that you will attend further specialist relevant training and achieve accreditation to facilitate this.
If not previously and recently accredited, you will be required to complete and pass the Handler Skills training programme. Applicants should note that this course is 3-4 weeks in duration, which may be residential. There will also be a requirement to undertake and successfully complete an additional Enhanced Recruitment Course.
Additionally, you will also be required to complete and pass the Personal Safety Training Level 2 (PST2).
Expected posting length is expected to be a minimum period of 2 years following the successful completion of the training programme. This is due to staff development investment for this specialist training and also a period of in-role immersion and mentoring.
Please Note: You should note that failure to complete and pass either of these requirements will mean that you have not met the requirements of the post and are not legally allowed to undertake the duties of the role. In such circumstances, you will be redeployed to an alternative role.
Travel
The role will require travel to meetings across the UK. Lengthy travel may necessitate very occasional overnight stays.
You should be aware that on-call requires the officer to reside within a reasonable travelling distance to the office they are posted to. Reasonable distance is deemed as 90 minutes travelling time from the office for London based posts.
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