Digital Forensics Technical Officer
Job summary
The NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA) is the national body responsible for all matters relating to the prevention, detection and investigation of economic crime across the NHS. Further information about our work and annual plan for delivering this is available on our website.
This hybrid role will work as part of the NHS Counter Fraud Authority Digital Forensics Unit (in Newcastle) within the Operations function whose responsibility is to investigate allegations of fraud, bribery, and corruption in the NHS. The successful candidate will provide technical support to the DFU Digital Forensics Lead in a team whose function is to identify, preserve, extract, interpret and presents computer-based digital evidence, and helps ensure DFU tools, methods and ways of working are used consistently and effectively.
This role requires Security Clearance
Potential applicants can contact Chris.Atkinson@nhscfa.gov.uk, DFU Lead for an informal chat if you have any questions regarding the role.
Our vacancies are popular and we may close this vacancy early should we receive a significant number of applications.
Interviews will be held face to face in our Citygate , Newcastle office on either 12th or 13th May 2026.
Main duties of the job
Provide day-to-day technical support to DFU activity, including advice on tools, methods, evidence handling, and documentation.
Assist with testing and validation activities for new or updated hardware/software, and capture results in agreed formats.
Provide practical support to colleagues to help ensure methods are applied consistently and in line with DFU procedures.
Support onsite investigative activity, either in person or remotely when required. Flexibility is required as this may involve working outside standard office hours.
Maintain awareness of relevant developments (e.g., tool updates, guidance, and legal/regulatory changes) and summarise implications for the DFL.
This role at NHSCFA must hold security clearance SC level as a minimum. To meet National Security Vetting requirements, you must have resided in the UK for a minimum of 3 out of the past 5 years for SC clearance . Candidates who were posted abroad for service with HM Government, Armed Forces or within a UK government role - will still be considered. More information on SC clearance can be found hereNational security vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) . Please make sure you meet these requirements before applying for this role. You don't need to have SC already, however, failure to achieve the requirements for SC after offer, will result in the job being withdrawn.
About us
This role is hybrid at our Newcastle office.
NHSCFA values and respects the diversity of its employees and aims to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities. We welcome applications irrespective of people's age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including an invitation to the first stage of the selection process and consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability. We encourage applications from individuals interested in a secondment opportunity. If you are applying on this basis, please ensure you have obtained agreement in principle from your current employer. When you apply , you will be redirected to our recruitment system TRAC. The NHSCFA does not hold a sponsor licence in respect of skilled worker visas and so is unable to employ candidates requiring sponsorship.
To comply with the HM Government Functional Standard GovS 007, and specifically the Personnel Security Standards, individuals employed by NHS Counter Fraud Authority will be required to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Standards checks.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Support the DFU quality and accreditation approach by helping draft, maintain and review controlled documents, supporting documents and technical/quality records in line with relevant standards and regulatory requirements.
Support quality incident handling by logging issues, coordinating information gathering, and assisting with corrective and preventive actions as directed.
Contributing to the development of the DFU Quality Management System.
Maintaining an excellent level of technical knowledge of digital forensics best practice and UK Law by attending relevant training courses/meetings/CPD within the digital forensics field.
Person Specification
PSPEC
- Knowledge of how to plan, conduct and document the testing, validation and routine maintenance of digital forensics hardware and software, and how to support staff competency requirements.
- Knowledge in some of the following areas: file servers, networking, email servers/clients, peripherals, workstations, file systems, and storage media.
- Knowledge of one or more digital forensics tools, for example Axiom, Digital Collector, UFED, or equivalent tools.
- Knowledge of current good practice for obtaining and handling electronic evidence.
- Thorough understanding of the requirements for secure handling, continuity and storage of evidence and exhibits within an investigative environment.
- Understanding relevant quality standards and guidance, for example ISO/IEC 17025, ILAC G19, and the Forensic Science Regulator's Code of Practice.
- Practical experience in a digital forensics' environment.
- Demonstrable experience in achieving and maintaining quality standards/accreditation.
- Practical experience in exhibiting evidence and producing witness statements suitable for Crown court.
- A degree (or equivalent) in Digital Forensics or a related subject.
- Equivalent experience working in a digital forensics' environment or an information technology-related field. Either hold any of the following professional qualifications or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and experience.
- . Access Data Certified Examiner (ACE)
- .EnCase Certified Examiner (EnCE). oSuccessfully completed Digital .Forensics Foundation Level Course
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly and confidently, both orally and in writing, with people at all levels and across professional groups.
- Working knowledge of programming or scripting (for example Python, SQL, or similar).
- Experience of conducting internal quality management audits.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
NHS Counter Fraud Authority
Address
1st Floor Citygate Gallowgate
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4WH
Employer's website
https://cfa.nhs.uk/