Senior Intelligence Analyst

We offer great flexible working opportunities, and have offices in Belfast, Cardiff and York.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not overseas.

Travel within the UK will be required on a regular basis, possibly with overnight stays.

Job Summary Do you have experience leading intelligence or analytical teams to deliver high-quality insights that influence operational and strategic decision-making?

Are you looking for an opportunity to use your analytical expertise to help protect the UK’s food system by identifying, disrupting and deterring serious food crime?

If so, this is an exciting opportunity to join the Food Standards Agency (FSA) as our Senior Intelligence Analyst, and we’d love to hear from you!

Your work will provide decision-makers with clear, credible intelligence that supports both operational activity and longer-term priorities. You will lead and develop a small analytical team in a role offering significant professional scope, varied partnerships and exposure to complex intelligence challenges.

The FSA is a non-ministerial department of over 1600 people. We play a critical role in protecting public health and consumers’ wider interests in food across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Our vision is an important one - to drive change, delivering “food you can trust” and working towards a healthier and more sustainable food system.

Job Description You will agree the purpose, scope and timescales of analytical commissions, distribute work fairly and monitor progress while keeping customers informed. Alongside overseeing team delivery, you will undertake complex assignments and produce robust strategic and tactical assessments that translate information into useful conclusions and recommendations.

You will review analytical products for accuracy, relevance and compliance with professional standards, including outputs prepared for investigations or potential court proceedings. You will engage with law enforcement bodies, government organisations, local authorities and other partners to strengthen understanding of priority threats. You will also support individual and team performance, encourage professional development and assess colleagues against relevant professionalisation standards.

Working pattern guidance Applicants who wish to work compressed hours are welcome to apply - however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

Please read before applying As this is an investigatory / intelligence role we need to be aware if any of our employees have any of the following: any misconduct or gross misconduct findings or where proceedings are not complete. You will be asked to complete a declaration form covering the above if offered a role with the FSA.

You Must Declare To The Best Of Your Knowledge:

• Any disciplinary finding of guilt / failure to meet the appropriate standard of conduct relating to your employment you have ever had
• Any charge of a disciplinary offence / notification of a failure to meet the appropriate standards you have ever had where the case has not yet been concluded

The disclosure of this information will not automatically disbar you from this role but we need to be aware of any event or issue which could impinge on your credibility if questioned in court.

You will agree the purpose, scope and timescales of analytical commissions, distribute work fairly and monitor progress while keeping customers informed. Alongside overseeing team delivery, you will undertake complex assignments and produce robust strategic and tactical assessments that translate information into useful conclusions and recommendations.

You will review analytical products for accuracy, relevance and compliance with professional standards, including outputs prepared for investigations or potential court proceedings. You will engage with law enforcement bodies, government organisations, local authorities and other partners to strengthen understanding of priority threats. You will also support individual and team performance, encourage professional development and assess colleagues against relevant professionalisation standards.

Working pattern guidance Applicants who wish to work compressed hours are welcome to apply - however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

Please read before applying As this is an investigatory / intelligence role we need to be aware if any of our employees have any of the following: any misconduct or gross misconduct findings or where proceedings are not complete. You will be asked to complete a declaration form covering the above if offered a role with the FSA.

You Must Declare To The Best Of Your Knowledge:

• Any disciplinary finding of guilt / failure to meet the appropriate standard of conduct relating to your employment you have ever had
• Any charge of a disciplinary offence / notification of a failure to meet the appropriate standards you have ever had where the case has not yet been concluded

The disclosure of this information will not automatically disbar you from this role but we need to be aware of any event or issue which could impinge on your credibility if questioned in court.

Person specification

Please read the attached Candidate Pack to discover further details about the role, who we are looking for and the criteria we will assess against during the selection process.

We look forward to receiving your application and wish you every success.

Qualifications

• Relevant professional qualification and/or successful completion of National Intelligence Analysis Training (or equivalent eg GIAT, DIAM, ACT), or demonstrably commensurate professional experience

Technical skills

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

• Technical Criteria: Relevant professional qualification and/or successful completion of National Intelligence Analysis Training (or equivalent eg GIAT, DIAM, ACT), or demonstrably commensurate professional experience

Alongside your salary of £42,596, Food Standards Agency contributes £12,340 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).

Please take a look at the Working for the Food Standards Agency , Civil Service Careers to find out about the benefits the FSA has to offer

Please also refer to the Terms and Conditions statement attached to this advert.

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 Experience and Technical skills.

Full details of the selection process can be found in the attached candidate pack.

Application and shortlisting You will be asked to provide personal details (not seen by the Panel) and to confirm your eligibility to apply for the role.

Technical: You will be asked a question to confirm that you meet the Technical requirements of the role.

• Relevant professional qualification and/or successful completion of National Intelligence Analysis Training (or equivalent eg GIAT, DIAM, ACT), or demonstrably commensurate professional experience

If you cannot answer yes to this question – you will not be able to proceed further with your application.

You will then be asked to complete an application which will be used to assess you against the following essential criteria.

Experience Essential criteria

• Lead criteria: Experience of delivering a broad range of intelligence analysis products including operational work, communications data analysis, strategic and tactical assessments, balancing competing demands and ensuring quality and relevance to customer requirements
• Experience of leading and managing others to deliver outcomes both personally and collectively
• Experience in directing the application of analytical thinking and techniques to assess information and intelligence, establishing rationale for analysis and applying critical thinking methodologies
• Experience of delivery of operational analysis products as an intelligence analyst including oversight of evidential packages for court

Lead Criteria An initial sift will take place on the Lead Criteria.

In the event that we receive a large number of applications, the minimum pass mark for the Lead Criteria may be raised at shortlisting stage. Candidates who apply under the DCS, GPTW or RIS schemes and meet the minimum requirements will be unaffected by the pass mark raise.

Interview If successful at shortlisting stage, you will be invited to a final interview in which we will assess you against the following Experience requirements of the role.

Experience

• Experience of delivering a broad range of intelligence analysis products including operational work, communications data analysis, strategic and tactical assessments, balancing competing demands and ensuring quality and relevance to customer requirements
• Experience of leading and managing others to deliver outcomes both personally and collectively
• Experience in directing the application of analytical thinking and techniques to assess information and intelligence, establishing rationale for analysis and applying critical thinking methodologies
• Experience of delivery of operational analysis products as an intelligence analyst including oversight of evidential packages for court

Expected Timeline Advert closes: 04/11/26

Sift: Expected to take place from 05/11/26

Final panel interview: Expected to take place w/c 16/11/26

Interviews will be held remotely via MS Teams. (If you do not have the Microsoft Teams application installed on your computer, you can join on the web without installing the application).

Please note that indicated dates may be subject to change. United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) Requirements (SC) Appointment will be subject to the candidate having, or being able to achieve National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) level.

All security clearances require you to provide evidence of your UK footprint where you have been physically present in the UK.

The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK at least 3 of the last 5 years, ( although there are some exceptions e.g. if you have been serving abroad with HM Armed Forces). Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.

Checks Will Be Made Against:

• a departmental/company records check which will include, for example personal files, staff reports, sick leave returns and security records
• a check of both spent and unspent criminal records
• a check of credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
• a check of Security Service (MI5) records
• exceptionally, if there are any unresolved security concerns about the individual, or if recommended by the Security Service, the individual may also be interviewed
• in the event of any unresolved financial concerns, the individual may also be required to complete a separate financial questionnaire so that a full review of personal finances can be carried out
• checks may extend to third parties included on the security questionnaire.

Childcare Vouchers Any move to the Food Standards 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

Reserve List A reserve list will be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointment may be made.

Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.

Visa Sponsorship Please note that the FSA does not offer visa sponsorship and cannot provide advice on visa applications Making a complaint The law requires 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.

If you feel your application has not been treated fairly in accordance with the principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should email the FSA’s Director of People at [email protected]. If you are not satisfied with the response, you can contact the Civil Service Commission.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact :

• Name : Jennifer Donaghue
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]

Further information

If you wish to raise a complaint then please email [email protected] in the first instance.