Chief Authorising Officer
| Posting date: | 03 September 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £44,720 to £52,130 per year |
| Additional salary information: | Plus shift allowance c.19% |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 14 September 2025 |
| Location: | Manchester |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 425013/2 |
Summary
The Investigatory Powers Act 2016 established the office of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner (‘IPC’) and provides for the appointment of the Judicial Commissioners (JCs) to approve and oversee the use of investigatory powers by public authorities. The current IPC is Sir Brian Leveson.
The IPC and JCs have the important function of balancing the public interest and the rights of the individual, independently of Government, specifically protecting the public by reviewing whether public authorities’ interference with those rights is justifiable.
IPCO are committed to creating an increasingly diverse and inclusive workplace. Our people are our greatest asset and so we aim to foster a safe environment where diversity of thought is welcomed, work-life balance is valued and opportunity for growth is encouraged.
Communications Data Authorisations
The IPC is responsible for the work of Communications Data Authorisations. The Authorisations team considers applications for the acquisition of communications data from law enforcement and public authorities. The team is located across two offices in Birmingham and Manchester.
Communications Data is the information generated which relates mostly to telephone communication or internet activity. The data describes the communication but not the content of this.
Communications data is now used in 95% of serious and organised criminal prosecutions and has been used in every major counter terrorism investigation over the past decade. As such, the acquisition of CD must be independently authorised and that is the function of IPCO as an independent body.
The Chief Authorising Officer reports to the Deputy Head of Authorisations (DHoA) and is an integral part of the senior management team. The roles are based in either Manchester or Birmingham and travel to each will be expected, along with some travel to meet stakeholders or attend events, when required.
As a manager, you will have responsibility for 2-4 Team Leaders (HEO) who will each oversee a team of 5-8 Authorising Officers (EO). The Authorising Officers will assess the necessity and proportionality of communications data (CD) applications from Public Authorities across the UK and make decisions to authorise or, in some cases, decline or return applications. In some instances, you will also be required to review and authorise complex or sensitive applications and provide your own justification.
In addition, CAOs hold the ‘duty’ officer role which includes responsibility for leading operational activity across IPCO during your shift. You will be responsible for the performance management and development of your teams.
The role requires versatility as you will also be a member of the senior management team supporting IPCO’s leadership on strategic projects, organisational change, and stakeholder management as required.
We currently have two roles available, one based in Manchester and one based in Birmingham.
Shift Working and Annualised Hours
This role is scheduled as a shift working role. The shift pattern includes early starts and evening and weekend working. It also includes working on Public Holidays. It is your responsibility to ensure that a shift working pattern is suitable for you before accepting the offer.
IPCO Authorisations operates business hours 0700 – 2200 and must include weekend and public holiday working hours.
All staff working on shifts will have an Annualised Hours Allowance. This allowance is a percentage of your basic salary, based on your attendance patterns for the year that compensates for working shifts. You will receive an annualised hours agreement, which is a written agreement between you and your manager, detailing the period the agreement runs for, your attendance requirements and your AHA percentages. This figure is currently circa 19%.
The AHA will only be received upon starting shift working. The date this commences will be subject to the discretion of the relevant line manager. AHA is an additional allowance received alongside your basic salary. This percentage calculation is assessed in line with the operational demands of the business and is subject to change and review. It is not guaranteed and may cease at any time.
The role is only available on a full-time basis, due to operational requirements.
It is your responsibility to ensure that shift working is suitable for you before accepting the offer.
Hybrid Working
IPCO are currently adhering to the Home Office hybrid working model, which will enable staff to split their time working in the office and at home. Currently this is 60% of working hours spent in the office.
Please note office attendance is mandatory. Various critical aspects of the role must be carried out on systems that cannot be accessed from home.
It is your responsibility to ensure that office attendance is suitable for you before accepting the offer.
Training
You will be given the necessary training to fulfil the role of CAO. You will receive a comprehensive package of classroom based, interactive and mentor-based learning, over a period of 6 weeks to develop an understanding of the relevant legislation and how to consider an application.
During this time, you will be fully supported by trainers and mentors. At the end of training, you will undertake an assessment which must be passed before you can undertake the duties of the role.
Upon completion of the assessment, you will receive further mentoring and support to ensure you are fully prepared to take on the role of a CAO. The duration of this will be based on existing experience.
Initial training courses are run on a full-time basis on weekdays. During the initial 6-week training period, you will receive 0% annualised hours working (AHW) allowance this is to reflect the Monday to Friday working pattern.
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