Appointment details

Appointed Person under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002

Summary

• Organisation: Appointed person under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
• Sponsor department: Home Office
• Location: London
• Sectors: Defence
• Skills: Legal, Judicial, Regulation
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 15 day(s) per annum
• Remuneration: £573 per day
• Length of term: Three years
• Application deadline: 11pm on 10 August 2026

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   6 July 2026

2. Application deadline

   11pm on 10 August 2026

3. Sifting date

   17 August 2026

4. Interviews expected to end on

   14 September 2026

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction

The Appointed Person plays an important role in providing reassurance to His Majesty’s Government, Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive and the public, that Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) search and seizure powers are being used effectively and proportionately. In this tri-partite role, the Appointed Person will be reporting annually to Parliament, the Scottish Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly and, where appropriate, will make recommendations on future developments in the use of the powers.

POCA provides a variety of search and seizure powers for cash, listed assets and cryptoasset related items. These powers include provisions for prior judicial approval of searches. The legislation also allows that searches may occur without prior judicial approval in certain circumstances. Accordingly, an officer can conduct a search with the prior approval of a senior officer. There are also conditions in which an officer may carry out a search and seizure without prior judicial or senior officer approval.

Constables must complete a report to the Appointed Person who provides independent scrutiny where a search takes place without prior judicial approval (even if senior officer approval has been obtained) and either no cash or property is seized or cash or property is seized but not detained for more than 48 hours. The report must set out why it was not practicable to obtain prior judicial approval and the circumstances which led the officer to believe that the powers were exercisable.

The Appointed Person does not comment on individual reports but submits three annual reports; for England and Wales; Northern Ireland and Scotland jurisdictions. In these reports, the Appointed Person draws general conclusions about the matters reported to them and making any appropriate recommendations for the future usage of these powers. These reports will be laid before UK Parliament, Scottish Parliament and Northern Ireland Executive and be published.

Previous reports by the Appointed Person can be viewed here:

Appointed Person for England and Wales reports - GOV.UK

Publications - gov.scot

Appointment description

Job Title:                  Appointed Person under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002

Commitment:         The expected time commitment of the role is 15 days per annum (approximately).

Remuneration:        £573 per day, reviewed annually

Appointment:          Three-year fixed term appointment with the possibility of extension or reappointment; subject to review.

Location:                  flexible within the United Kingdom

Reporting to:          Home Secretary, Scottish and Northern Ireland Department of Justice Ministers

Purpose:

The Home Office, in partnership with the Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Department of Justice is seeking to appoint an independent person to provide effective oversight and scrutiny of reports of certain searches and seizures conducted under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The Appointed Person will produce an annual report for Ministers for England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, these will be laid before Parliament, the Scottish Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly respectively. The appointee to this tri-partite role is independent of all three Governments and must not be employed under or for the purposes of any government department. As the Appointed Person your responsibilities will be to:

·         Carry out the statutory functions assigned to the Appointed Person as stipulated in the Act.

·         Provide public reassurance that the powers are being used effectively and proportionately or, if they are not, provide meaningful recommendations.

·         Provide recommendations on the development of the framework of the operation of the powers.

·         Write an annual report to the Secretary of State on the exercise of powers in England and Wales, drawing general conclusions about the matters reported to them and making any appropriate recommendations, which is laid before Parliament.

·         Write an annual report to the Minister of Justice for Northern Ireland on the exercise of powers in Northern Ireland, drawing general conclusions about the matters reported to them and making any appropriate recommendations, which is laid before the Northern Ireland Assembly.

·         Write an annual report to Scottish Ministers on the exercise of powers in Scotland, drawing general conclusions about the matters reported to them and making any appropriate recommendations, which is laid before the Scottish Parliament.

·         Liaise with Criminal Finances and Asset Recovery unit of the Home Office, police and other law enforcement agencies over information flowing from the Appointed Person’s 5 statutory functions. The same will apply to Department of Justice (Northern Ireland), Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Scottish Government and Police Scotland.

·         Keep abreast of wider issues relating to search (and seizure) powers generally.

Person specification

Essential criteria

Part One - Essential Skills and Experience

·         Knowledge and understanding of general issues relating to search and seizure powers (including but not limited to the general powers under the, Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984; Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989; and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016). An awareness of the powers’ operation and need in law enforcement, and their effect on people and communities.

·         Knowledge and understanding of, or willingness to learn, the European Convention on Human Rights and Human Rights Act 1998, Article 8 – right to respect for private and family life; and Article 1 of Protocol 1 – protection of property.

·         Knowledge of, or willingness to learn the history, and purpose of the relevant legislation in relation to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland law; and an appreciation of legal differences in the three jurisdictions.

·         Exemplary writing skills and the ability to analyse reports from officers on the relevant powers for the appropriateness of their use and use that analysis to make recommendations.

Part Two – Personal Abilities and Behaviours

Applicants should demonstrate expertise in one or more of the following areas:

·        Able to build strong working relationships and communicate effectively to Ministers, officials, the public, and the Devolved Administrations.

·        Strong influencing skills and the ability to convince through personal credibility.    

·        Undisputed personal integrity and a personal style that demonstrates authority and commitment to public service values, acting in accordance with the Seven Principles of Public Life - The Seven Principles of Public Life - GOV.UK.

Desirable criteria

·         Possession of a formal academic qualification in a relevant field, such as law or a career background in addressing law enforcement power issues.

Application and selection process

How to apply

Please submit the following 2 documents, clearly labelled. In order to apply, you will need to click on one of the links below, depending on if you have already set up an account on the new Cabinet Office Public Appointment website. 

https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/create-account

https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/auth/sign-in

1. A concise CV (maximum two sides A4, minimum 11 font) setting out your career history and including details of any professional qualifications. 
2. A short supporting statement (maximum two sides A4, minimum 11 font) giving evidence of the strength and depth of your ability to meet the essential criteria for the role. Please provide specific examples to demonstrate how you meet each of the experience, qualities and skill areas identified in the person specification. 

Please submit your application documents as 2 separate attachments and note that short-listed candidates will also be required to complete and return a separate form in relation to referees and nationality information. 

Please note the following:

• We cannot accept applications submitted after the closing date.
• Applications will be assessed solely on the documentation provided. Please refer to the advert and checklist to ensure you have provided the necessary documentation.
• AI must not be used to provide misleading information. While technology can be used in your application, for example to assist with structure, we value authenticity, and advisory assessment panels will use the interview stage to verify the originality of your statements.
• Applications will be acknowledged upon receipt.
• Feedback will only be given to unsuccessful candidates following interview.

We will ask you to check and confirm your personal details to ensure your application is accurate.

You will also have the opportunity to make a reasonable adjustment request or apply under the disability confident scheme before you submit your application.

We will ask you to check and confirm your personal details to ensure your application is accurate.

You will also have the opportunity to make a reasonable adjustment request or apply under the disability confident scheme before you submit your application.

Overview of the application process

Public appointments are made on merit following a fair and open competition process which is conducted in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments. We will deal with your application as quickly as possible and will keep you informed at key stages. We aim to conclude the appointment process within three months of the deadline for applications – this is in accordance with the Governance Code.

The assessment process

1. Ministers are responsible and accountable to Parliament for the public appointments made within their department. As a result, they must be consulted at every stage of the appointments process.

2. An Advisory Assessment Panel (“Panel”) is appointed by Ministers to assist them in their decision making. The role of the Panel is to decide, objectively, which candidates meet the eligibility criteria for the role.

3. At the shortlisting meeting the Panel will assess applications against the eligibility criteria and decide which candidates have best met the criteria, who should be recommended for interview. Ministers will then be consulted on the Panel’s recommended shortlist. If you have applied under the Disability Confident Scheme and you meet all the essential criteria, then you will also be invited for an interview.

4. Once the shortlist has been agreed by Ministers, you will be advised (by e-mail) whether you have been shortlisted. Those shortlisted will be invited to an interview.

5. The Panel will meet again to interview candidates and determine who is appointable to the role. The Panel may invite you to make a brief presentation at the start of the interview and will go on to question you about your skills and experience, including asking specific questions to assess whether you meet the criteria set out for the post. The Panel will also explore with you any potential conflicts of interest or any other issues arising from your personal and professional history which may impact on an appointment decision.

6. Details of the panel’s assessment of interviewed candidates are provided to Ministers, including whether they have judged a candidate to be appointable to the role. It is then for Ministers to determine merit and decide who should be appointed. In some circumstances, Ministers may choose not to appoint any candidates and re-run the competition.

7. Ministers may choose to meet with candidates before deciding the outcome. Candidates should therefore be prepared for a short time gap between interview and a final appointment decision being made. Candidates who have been interviewed will be kept informed of progress.

8. Once the decision on the appointment has been made, interviewed candidates will be advised of the outcome of their application, including whom they may approach for feedback. Successful candidates will be issued with their Terms & Conditions and a letter of appointment should they agree to take up the position.

Further information about appointments, including tips on applying, can be found on our guidance pages on gov.uk.

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

Tom Bell – Departmental Official

Tom Bell has no political activity to declare.

Barbara McAtamney – Public Body Representative

Barbara McAtamney has no political activity to declare.

Penny Curtis – Public Body Representative

Penny Curtis has no political activity to declare.

Richard Childs QPM – Independent Panel Member

Richard Childs QPM has no political activity to declare.

Advisory Assessment Panels (AAP) are chosen by ministers to assist them in their decision-making. These include a departmental official and an independent member. For competitions recruiting non-executive members of a board (apart from the Chair), the panel will usually include a representative from the public body concerned.

AAP’s perform a number of functions, including agreeing an assessment strategy with ministers, undertaking sifting, carrying out interviews in line with the advertised criteria and deciding objectively who meets the published selection criteria for the role before recommending to ministers which candidates they find appointable. It is then for the minister to decide who to appoint to the role.

Eligibility criteria

In general, you should have the right to work in the UK to be eligible to apply for a public appointment.

There are a small number of specialist roles that are not open to non-British citizens. Any nationality requirements will be specified in the vacancy details.

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. 

You cannot be considered for a public appointment if:

• you are disqualified from acting as a company director  (under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986);

• have an unspent conviction on your criminal record;

• your estate has been sequestrated in Scotland or you enter into a debt arrangement programme under Part 1 of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 17) as the debtor or have, under Scots law, granted a trust deed for creditors.

When you apply, you should declare if:

• you are, or have been, bankrupt or you have made an arrangement with a creditor at any point, including the dates of this. 

• you are subject to a current police investigation.

You must inform the sponsor department if, during the application process, your circumstances change in respect of any of the above points. 

When you apply you should also declare any relevant interests, highlighting any that you think may call into question your ability to properly discharge the responsibilities of the role you are applying for. You should also declare any other matters which may mean you may not be able to meet the requirements of the Code of Conduct of Board Members (see Outside interests and reputational issues section below)

If you need further advice, please contact  [ADD CONTACT DETAILS]

Security clearance

The successful candidate will be required to have or be willing to obtain security clearance to SC level. Pre-appointment checks will also be undertaken on immigration and criminal convictions. It usually takes between 4-6 weeks to obtain the security clearance. The role will be offered on a conditional basis until the successful candidate has passed all checks.

Additional information for candidates

Equality and diversity

We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. Boards of public bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of views of the society they serve.

We collect data about applicants’ characteristics and backgrounds, including information about people’s educational and professional backgrounds, so that we can make sure we are attracting a broad range of people to these roles and that our selection processes are fair for everyone. Without this information, it makes it difficult to see if our outreach is working, if the application process is having an unfair impact on certain groups and whether changes are making a positive difference.

When you submit your application, your responses are collected by the Cabinet Office and the government department(s) managing your application. The data is used to produce management information about the diversity of applicants. You can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be seen by the Advisory Assessment Panel who review applications against the advertised criteria and conduct interviews.

Disability confident

We are a member of the Government’s Disability Confident scheme. We use the Disability Confident scheme symbol, along with other like-minded employers, to show our commitment to good practice in employing people with a disability. The scheme helps recruit and retain disabled people. As part of implementing the scheme, we guarantee an interview for anyone with a disability whose application meets the essential criteria for the role, set out in the advert, and who has asked that their application is considered under the scheme. Indicating that you wish your application to be considered under the scheme will in no way prejudice your application. By ‘essential criteria', we mean that you must provide evidence which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required under each of the essential criteria, as set out in the job-advert. When you apply you will have the opportunity to select if you would like your application considered under this scheme.

Reasonable adjustments

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to make sure applicants with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, or other needs are not substantially disadvantaged when applying for public appointments. This can include changing the recruitment process to enable people who wish to apply to do so.

Some examples of common changes are:

• ensuring that application forms are available in different or accessible formats;
• making adaptations to interview locations;
• allowing candidates to present their skills and experience in a different way;
• giving additional detailed information on the selection / interview process in advance to allow candidates time to prepare themselves;
• allowing support workers, for example sign language interpreters;
• making provision for support animals to attend.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to request reasonable adjustments to the application process.

Principles of public life

The Seven Principles of Public Life (also known as the Nolan Principles) apply to anyone who works as a public office-holder.

1. Selflessness

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

2. Integrity

Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

3. Objectivity

Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

4. Accountability

Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

5. Openness

Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

6. Honesty

Holders of public office should be truthful.

7. Leadership

Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

Code of conduct for board members

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. In support of this, all non-executive board members of UK public bodies must abide by the principles set out in the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. The Code sets out the standards expected from those who serve on the boards of UK public bodies and will form part of your terms and conditions of appointment.

Management of outside interests and consideration of reputational issues

Holders of public office are expected to adhere and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life and the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. Before you apply you should consider carefully: 

• any outside interests that you may have, such as shares you may hold in a company providing services to government; 
• any possible reputational issues arising from your past actions or public statements that you have made; 
• and/or - any political roles you hold or political campaigns you have supported; 

which may call into question your ability to do the role you are applying for.

You will need to answer relevant questions in relation to these points when making an application. Many conflicts of interest can be satisfactorily resolved and declaring a potential conflict does not prevent you from being interviewed. If you are shortlisted for an interview, the panel will discuss any potential conflicts with you during that interview, including any proposals you may have to mitigate them and record that in their advice to ministers. Alongside your own declaration, we will conduct appropriate checks, as part of which we will consider anything in the public domain related to your conduct or professional capacity. This may include searches of previous public statements and social media, blogs or any other publicly available information. The successful candidate(s) may be required to give up any conflicting interests and their other business and financial interests may be published in line with organisational policies. 

Details of declared political activity will be published when the appointment is announced, as required by the Governance Code (political activity is not a bar to appointment, but must be declared).

Status of appointment

As this is an office holder appointment, you will not become a member of the Civil Service. You will not be subject to the provisions of employment law.

Appointment and tenure of office

Appointments are for the term set out in this advert, with the possibility of re-appointment for a further term, at the discretion of Ministers.  Any re-appointment is subject to satisfactory annual appraisals of performance during the first term in the post. There is no automatic presumption of reappointment; each case should be considered on its own merits, taking into account a number of factors including, but not restricted to, the diversity of the current board and its balance of skills and experience. In most cases, the total time served in post will not exceed more than two terms or ten years in any one post. 

Remuneration, allowances and abatement

Remuneration for this role is treated as employment income and will be subject to tax and National Insurance contributions, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid. 

• The remuneration is taxable through payroll, but the appointment is not pensionable.
• The post holder can claim reimbursement for reasonable travel and subsistence costs necessarily incurred during the course of their duties at rates set centrally.
• Applicants should note that the successful candidate cannot be remunerated for this role if they are being paid for an existing full-time role from the public purse.

Pension and redundancy

This is an office holder appointment and does not attract any benefits under any Civil Service Pension Scheme. You will not be eligible for redundancy pay as you are not an employee. No other arrangements have been made for compensation upon the end of your term of appointment because an office holder who is appointed for a limited duration would have no expectation of serving beyond that period.

Application feedback

We will notify you of the status of your application. We regret that we are only able to offer detailed feedback to candidates who have been unsuccessful at the interview stage.

How to complain

We aim to process all applications as quickly as possible and to treat all applicants with courtesy.

If you are not completely satisfied with the way your application is handled at any stage of the competition, please raise any complaint in the first instance with the Public Appointments Team at: publicappointments@homeoffice.gov.uk

Data protection

The Cabinet Office will use your data in line with our privacy policy.

The Home Office statement is attached at the bottom of this page as a PDF.

Attachments

• Candidate Pack

• Home Office Privacy Notice

Contact details

If you have any queries about any aspect of this role, or merely wish to have an informal discussion, then please contact POCAAppointedPerson@homeoffice.gov.uk

If you have any queries about the recruitment process for this role, please contact the Public Appointments Team at: publicappointments@homeoffice.gov.uk

If helpful to you, there is guidance available on writing a supporting statement on the public appointments webpages: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/public-appointments