Find out what each of the roles at NABIS do.
The Head of NABIS provides professional leadership and direction covering all aspects of NABIS service delivery. They build strong working relationships across Law Enforcement and NABIS Stakeholders to enable firearms criminality to be tackled across the UK, working with forces for the submission of firearms and ballistic material in line with the NABIS MOU. They also provide strategic support and guidance to the NPCC Criminal Use of Firearms portfolio holder and are responsible for delivering operational decision making and leadership in relation to tactical and strategic operational activity carried out in partnership with police forces and other agencies to tackle gun crime at all levels. They personally lead in the development of partnership working with key stakeholders including the Military, Security Services and HM Government, and influence legislative change where necessary. They fully contribute to the development of risk assessments focusing on the threat posed by illegal firearms to the security of the UK and the safety of its citizens.
The Head of NABIS oversees and prioritises the preparation of intelligence products at both a tactical and strategic level and ensures that NABIS products are given appropriate priority within national tasking and coordination processes. They formulate and maintain a forward work plan to ensure that NABIS has clear objectives in line with the needs of its stakeholders, and that these needs are met. They have oversight and accountability for the forensic capabilities delivered across the NABIS Forensic Hubs and for compliance to UKAS accreditation ISO 17025.
They operate with credibility and practical experience at a senior level with Detectives tasked with overseeing the investigation of the most serious of crimes involving the criminal use of firearms nationally and internationally, providing leadership where necessary.
The Head of Forensics, Policy, and Strategy strategically leads and develops the delivery of the ballistic forensic services element of NABIS, ensuring service delivery in line with the MoU and a focus on continuous improvement.
They consult with internal & external stakeholders (Forensics Regulator, UKAS, Forensic Service Providers and UK ballistic forensic hubs), acting upon feedback as appropriate, and lead the future direction of Strategy and Policy development at NABIS in terms of latest thinking, innovation, and approaches. They also use internal and external scanning (UK and international), trend data and insights to identify future change opportunities.
They are responsible for leading the Continuous Improvement Team ensuring a suitable approach is taken to analyse the benefit of future change opportunities, identification of service improvements across NABIS and the National Criminal Use of Firearms portfolio and project management.
They lead the Systems and Information Manager ensuring the ICT tools and systems support the business needs of NABIS, including Freedom of Information, Data Protection and Management of Police Information.
They are responsible for providing strategic advice and guidance to the Head of NABIS and senior leaders on the full range of strategic planning issues and firearms developments including the interpretation of policy, legislation, regulation, and national codes of practice to ensure the strategic development of NABIS and the UK Firearms Focal Points.
They are accountable for the design, development, and implementation of the NABIS governance framework, and the identification of service improvement issues across the function, working with the Head of NABIS to ensure strategic direction is set, priorities are clearly identified, and governance and policy is aligned for NABIS.
They support the Head of Intelligence, Governance, and International Development to identify opportunities to share good practice in relation to Firearms Focal Points beyond UK borders, as well as supporting the Head of Unit in the areas of Government and Partnership liaison and development.
The role involves leading on the development of NABIS IT&D, in particular the NABIS database, to include future integration with wider law enforcement to maximise opportunities for data integration, and closer working with national IT projects (NDAS/NLEDS). They also utilise data visualisation tools to assist CUF practitioners to understand performance.
They support the NPCC CUF Lead in delivering the CUF national strategic work plan through an effective governance framework, and support the Head of NABIS to ensure that the financial resources allocated to NABIS are managed efficiently.
The Head of Intelligence, Governance and International Development for NABIS is accountable for the delivery of a suitable intelligence, governance, and international development function for NABIS and UK Law Enforcement.
They provide leadership and direction covering all aspects of NABIS intelligence delivery, and build strong working relationships with partners across UK Law Enforcement and NABIS Stakeholders (nationally and internationally), to enable firearms criminality to be tackled across the UK.
They represent NABIS at relevant national and international firearms forums, representing the Head of Unit abroad.
The Head of Intelligence, Governance and International Development is a strategic, international role engaging with partners across four continents at a strategic and tactical level representing the UK Criminal Use of Firearms portfolio. They present to national and international audiences on UK firearms issues, traveling abroad to represent the UK.
They are accountable for working with partners to identify and develop opportunities for international engagement and support to enable firearms criminality to be tackled in those countries through effective use of a National Firearms Focal Point approach.
They are responsible for ensuring the Intelligence, Governance, Finance, and Administration functions are being effectively managed and are building strong national and international working relationships with Law Enforcement partners.
Provides leadership, management, and oversight of the NABIS Central and Northern Hubs, building strong national and international working relationships with Forensic and Law Enforcement partners.
The NABIS Forensic Technical lead is responsible for providing technical expertise and guidance to ensure the hubs can carry out ballistic examinations in compliance with the NABIS Quality requirements, in line with ISO 17025 and the FSR Codes of Conduct and Practice, and for the provision of technical advice for all aspects of forensic ballistics examination at the NABIS hubs.
They participate in national NABIS meetings and support any international NABIS requirements, including local and national governance.
They are responsible for the development, delivery, and review of training programmes for NABIS forensic staff to support career pathways and ensure staff have the required training for their role, as well as developing national proficiency and competency tests for NABIS, PSA, PSNI, and the MPS forensic ballistic services.
They are accountable for the performance of the NABIS Hub Managers, and that service delivery and service level agreements are met. A key part of the role is ensuring the development of NABIS forensic policies and processes are supported in line with ISO 17025, ensuring continuous improvement is a key component in any changes. They are responsible for ensuring that NABIS are fully prepared for any UKAS assessments to ensure that ISO accreditation is maintained.
The NABIS Forensic Technical lead provides forensic examination advice to national and international law enforcement agencies, national working groups, and operationally to Senior Investigation leads, informing firearms intelligence products.
They ensure their professional competence as a Ballistics Expert is maintained, in accordance with the Ballistics Expert Job Description, through a caseload in line with ISO 17025 requirements, so they can attend court in the capacity of a Ballistics Expert and present evidence as required. They are required to keep up to date and monitor the firearms industry to anticipate crime trends and to monitor criminal firearms use for national policy recommendations.
The NABIS Forensic Technical lead carries out and/or supports technical audits in conjunction with the Hub Managers, Quality & Policy Manager, and Technical Development Expert as agreed through Forensic governance. They ensure safe working practices within the NABIS Hub, taking into consideration firearms legislation and Health and Safety guidelines.
The NABIS Forensic Technical lead continually develops forensic best practice in the NABIS services, and liaises with firearm experts from forces, other agencies, and defence experts as required. They keep up to date on technical developments by attending meetings, seminars, and exhibitions (both in the UK and abroad), and reading technical/trade journals. They participate in stakeholder liaison meetings with customers, suppliers, and national sponsors, and deliver firearms lectures and training sessions for investigators, intelligence staff and junior staff. There is an essential requirement for maintaining the highest levels of personal, business, and scientific integrity.
The NABIS Intelligence & Governance Lead provides leadership, management, and oversight of NABIS Intelligence, Governance, Finance and Administration, building strong national and international working relationships with Law Enforcement partners.
They are responsible for ensuring the NABIS Intelligence function develops relevant intelligence products and inputs to support UK and International Law Enforcement in identifying opportunities to tackle criminal use of firearms.
The NABIS Intelligence & Governance Lead is accountable for ensuring the NABIS Governance function develops, delivers, and administers an internal and external performance framework with performance information. They ensure the governance framework is effective and all forums are suitably supported.
They are responsible for ensuring delivery of appropriate internal and external communication, engagement, and media to support the NABIS Strategy and tackle the criminal use of firearms. They will ensure the NABIS Finance and Administration Team is being effectively managed, including financial modelling, budget setting and management. They are accountable for ensuring the effective and efficient management of NABIS Headquarters.
They support the Head of Intelligence, Governance & International Development in delivering national and international Intelligence Liaison, and will represent them at national and international engagement forums, presenting on UK Firearms issues.
The NABIS Intelligence & Governance Lead ensures the NABIS Liaison function is being effectively managed to maintain the key strategic and operational interface between NABIS and Law Enforcement in the UK. They are accountable for the production of a range of tactical and strategic reports for use at a national and international level, including National Governance Board papers.
The NABIS Quality and Policy Manager role is responsible for the production, review, and management of all NABIS policies, audit requirements and schedules. They ensure that the forensic policies and processes comply with ISO 17025 to ensure ongoing UKAS accreditation and, where appropriate, implement and manage other relevant accreditation programmes such as ISO 17020 & ISO 9001. They are responsible for developing and maintaining a quality management system in accordance with recommendations from the Forensic Regulator and alongside host forces’ Quality Managers, initiating and closing of all non-conformances and associated improvement actions. They need to develop an assessment process to ensure that mitigation of risks to accreditation are implemented and reviewed.
The NABIS Quality and Policy Manager role is responsible for policy management across all NABIS functions using a continuous improvement approach to policies and operating procedures that ensures continued accreditation of the NABIS forensic hubs in ISO 17025, and ensures compliance with the Forensic Regulators Codes of Practice.
They will develop the NABIS approach to ISO 9001 and ISO 17020. They update and maintain the NABIS Quality Management Manual and the Standard Operating Procedures for the Hubs in Birmingham and Manchester, and maintain all IT systems relating to Quality Management within NABIS. They lead technical audits, carry out dip sample audits, and identify all non-conformances, and implement a corrective action system following root cause analysis.
They liaise and negotiate with the quality departments in WMP and GMP, where the Hubs are hosted, to ensure that the NABIS Quality Systems are compliant with those forces’ quality management systems, and build relationships and a consistent approach between NABIS in partnership with all quality teams across all five forensic ballistic hubs. They also support the national and international Law Enforcement Agencies to achieve accreditation. They support the Head of Forensics, Strategy & Policy to liaise with UKAS to coordinate surveillance visits and process all resulting improvement actions.
The role is responsible for forensic governance, ensuring that a schedule of quality and performance review meetings is in place, and they attend host force quality meetings relevant to NABIS. They are responsible for scheduling and supporting NABIS internal audits, and conduct training and development of auditing and information assurance staff in quality management processes. They also provide awareness training on quality management systems to all NABIS staff.
They provide the line management of the NABIS Information Assurance team and have a matrix management relationship with the Service Delivery Coordinators based at the Central and Northern hubs.
The NABIS Quality and Policy Manager is responsible for continuous professional development in role, identifying developments in the field of Quality Management and identifying methods of ensuring continuous improvement in NABIS services. They address and action all customer feedback in relation to NABIS services.
They ensure compliance with statutory requirements in relation to information management including the Data Protection Act 1998, the Freedom of Information Act 2000, and the Code of Practice on Management of Police Information 2005, as appropriate.
It is the duty of the NABIS Lab Manager to oversee the daily functioning of the lab, ensuring the delivery of NABIS services in line with customer Service Level Agreements and national performance criteria.
They require technical skills in order to provide expert ballistics knowledge in the delivery of products and services by using tool mark comparison systems, Microscopy and IBIS technologies, and must keep up to date with current firearms legislation and ensure staff working in the hub are aware of legislative changes and are adhering to and applying the changes when necessary.
It is their responsibility to ensure safe working practices within the hub, which includes making sure submitted firearms are made safe, and monitoring the storage, movement and destruction of firearms at the hub.
They are expected to continually develop forensic best practice in the NABIS services and liaise with firearm experts from forces, other agencies, and defence experts as required, and to keep up to date and monitor the firearms industry to anticipate crime trends, and to monitor criminal firearms use for national policy recommendations.
In regards to quality, they ensure that ISO accreditation standards and the Forensic Services Quality Management Systems are adequately maintained and continuous improvements are implemented.
This involves participating in annual quality reviews, ensuring that dip sample audits, technical audits and quality management audits are facilitated, and the findings of these are dealt with appropriately and to the specified timescales, investigating non-conforming work, determining root cause analyses, implementing corrective actions, and ensuring that all the required quality documentation is completed.
The Ballistics Expert identifies investigative opportunities and produces high quality intelligence reports, including the examination and photography of firearms and ammunition for identifying marks and modifications.
They are highly skilled, using tool mark comparison systems, microscopy and IBIS Technologies in line with defined independent standards, to ensure scientific integrity.
They undertake evidential test-firing of firearms for classification and ballistic comparison. They also undertake the classification of all types of firearms and ammunition whilst preserving forensic evidence including DNA, fingerprints, and fibres.
They are responsible for safety, certification and storage of all firearms and associated exhibits / documentation submitted to NABIS, and for the production of expert witness statements for the Certification of firearms and ammunition, in line with current legislation.
They also attend court in the capacity of a Ballistics Expert and present evidence as required.
The NABIS Ballistics Technician has the responsibility for safety, certification and storage of all firearms and evidence submitted to NABIS, including making safe firearms to prevent unintentional discharges, ensuring compliance with national protocols and ensuring safe working practices.
They are responsible for meeting demanding deadlines and performance targets whilst remaining flexible and responsive to changing operational circumstances.
Working with the NABIS Ballistics Experts they ensure that the delivery of NABIS services is in line with customer Service Level Agreements and national performance criteria.
They are also responsible for liaising with firearms experts from outside agencies, other police services, and defence experts, as required, to discuss casework.
The NABIS Ballistics Technician carries out other duties which are consistent with the nature, responsibilities and grading of the post.
The Service Delivery Co-ordinator acts as a customer service contact for forces serviced NABIS Hubs, ensuring safe receipt and continuity of exhibits, and the safe handling and storage of submitted items. This involves maintaining accurate records and updating computer systems as required.
They receive, record, and ensure continuity is maintained for, ballistics exhibits submitted to the NABIS Hub liaising with external forces to ensure that all firearms and ballistics material are transferred to the NABIS Hub as required by the Association of Chief Police Officers Guidelines.
They must check that all weapons submitted to the Hub have been ‘made safe’ and that they have the necessary documentation attached.
They will then securely store, within a controlled system, all firearms, ammunition, and ballistic material received into Police hands by court action, voluntary surrender, found property, or seized as forensic evidence that is submitted by forces.
It is their responsibility to ensure the continued safe storage and control of all firearms, ammunition, and firearms related material submitted to the NABIS Hub by making sure that the Firearms Store is kept in an orderly manner and in compliance with published procedures and work instructions.
They are also responsible for assisting in the implementation of, and ensuring user compliance with, a fully traceable exhibit movement system in order to safeguard all firearms exhibits submitted by forces.
The Service Delivery Co-ordinator deals with ballistics related enquiries from various sources including Senior Investigating Officers from forces serviced by the NABIS Hub and staff from external and internal forensic providers, and are also responsible for managing the flow of exhibits back to external police forces once the required ballistics and forensic processes have taken place.
They are responsible for maintaining computerised records of exhibits and, where required, updating the National Ballistics Intelligence Database (NABID) and other local work management system databases whilst ensuring an efficient and effective filing system is in place to enable documented records to be located in respect of all work undertaken with the NABIS Hub.
The NABIS Intelligence Manager role requires effective management of a team of staff consisting of Analysts, Intelligence Officers and Researchers working within the NABIS Intelligence department.
The NABIS Intelligence Manager will be required to perform elements of the Head of Intelligence role to cover for periods of abstraction whilst they are away on international duties.
This is predominantly a strategic role requiring an extensive intelligence and technical knowledge concerning the criminal use of firearms.
They need to have a good understanding of the scale, nature and threat of firearms criminality affecting the UK and to be able to communicate this effectively within the UK to law enforcement partners and other agencies including HMG and the Home Office, whilst also engaging effectively with international partners.
NABIS Intelligence Analysts undertake all analytical functions within NABIS in relation to the preparation of National Intelligence Model products, for all issues relating to Gun Crime, in accordance with nationally agreed principles.
They assist in current intelligence operations by collating, researching, and analysing information and intelligence from all relevant sources for the preparation of Strategic Assessments.
They use crime pattern analysis techniques to determine patterns, trends and links within crime and incident information, and identify areas where further information must be collected.
They prepare briefing notes, deliver presentations for audiences outside of NABIS and liaise with staff and senior officers across the UK and internationally to obtain and/or share intelligence information.
They develop and maintain knowledge of current intelligence together with the crime trends and patterns relevant to the understanding of firearms crime nationally.
They provide support for the performance analysis and database function within NABIS by researching and analysing performance and organisational information available from the assessment of Force Performance Metrics & the NABIS Database.
The Information Assurance Officer ensures a high level of information assurance across the organisation by working across force systems and locations to identify areas of risk in relation to secure and appropriate information management processes, and advises on improvement activity as a result of their findings.
They provide data for statutory obligations including Freedom of Information requests.
In addition, they carry out dip samples / audits of Force systems, as required by legislation, and other national or local requirements in order to ensure appropriate use of systems and to identify any information management concerns.
They also support external training to forces and as such will be expected to have facilitation experience or be prepared to be trained to deliver courses on NABIS systems.
The NABIS Performance and Service Delivery Manager is responsible for management of the NABIS Performance Management Programme and the NABIS Force Performance and Inspection (Quality Assurance) Programmes. They also provide support to the Head of Business Support, when required.
They manage the NABIS performance function to ensure that forces are complying with the NABIS Memorandum of Understanding with regard to the recording and submission of ballistic material to NABIS, whilst also overseeing completion of force audits and challenging and escalating performance issues within forces and agencies to assist in improving force performance.
It is their duty to manage and lead the NABIS Liaison function to maintain the key strategic and operational interface between NABIS and Law Enforcement in the UK, and they will also prepare comprehensive, complex, written organisational strategic reports as part of their work.
The NABIS Performance Analyst provides a performance analyst function identifying, researching, and analysing known and emerging performance and organisational threats, issues and trends.
They use a creative and innovative approach to understanding and communicating performance issues both internally and externally. It is their responsibility to develop data collection strategies with internal departments, external Police Forces and agencies in order to create products to support senior decision makers. They also provide analytical support to the three areas of NABIS (Business Support, Intelligence Cell, and Forensics) and carry out projects, reviews, assessments and evaluations as required.
The NABIS Liaison Officers provide the UK force liaison and force performance compliance function between NABIS and the forces, and agencies served by NABIS.
They support the NABIS performance framework to ensure that forces are complying with the NABIS Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which relates to the recording and submission of ballistic material to NABIS.
They support In-Force Performance and Inspection (Quality Assurance) Programmes by assisting forces in managing internal compliance and inspection programmes. Furthermore, this helps forces and agencies to develop their processes and exploit existing opportunities in the areas of forensic science & intelligence to improve force and NABIS performance.
Another responsibility is providing the “investigative and intelligence bridge” to assist forces and agencies to investigate and tackle high risk firearms activity.
They work as part of a national liaison team with geographic responsibility for each one of the three law enforcement regions in the UK (currently North, East and West).
The NABIS Systems and Information Manager must ensure that the ICT tools and systems in place across NABIS reflect the business needs of NABIS and our user community, and are monitored and reviewed, identifying opportunities to improve.
As NABIS Information Asset Owner the post holder will be accountable for ensuring confidentiality, integrity and availability of information held by NABIS. A key aspect of this role is ensuring that NABIS governance is operating to ensure delivery of the strategy and delivery plan.
They manage the national NABIS forensic and intelligence database, and develop coherent strategies, policies, processes and Standard Operating Procedures, and will prioritise database developments. In addition, they are responsible for the delivery of the modular database training programme nationally.
The role involves collecting, understanding and transmitting business requirements for NABIS systems and translating these into functional specifications and detailed options, whilst also testing solution and resolving relatively complex problems and issues through their own knowledge or liaising with Law Enforcement Agencies and third party suppliers.
The NABIS Finance Support Manager co-ordinates the service delivery of NABIS support functions; namely Finance, Business Administration and Estates, ensuring they are balanced and in alignment with the overall aims, objectives, and needs of NABIS.
The NABIS Finance Support Manager works with WMP Finance to establish and administer appropriate warranties, contracts, and procurement.
They work with WMP HR departments to ensure establishment, reconciliation, and coordination of recruitment processes. They deliver an effective business administration function for NABIS with supervisory responsibility for the Business Support Officers.
The NABIS Finance Support Manager is responsible for the monitoring of existing and proposed spend within NABIS on a regular and timely basis, and provides daily, tactical, and operational, financial advice and support, including financial and non-financial monitoring and reporting of staffing contributions.
The NABIS Finance Support Manager acts as the focal point for all internal and external financial audit issues. They maintain effective communication with the Finance Departments in all contributing forces, and with WMP and GMP accountants, shared services, and workforce planning to ensure that financial and workforce information is recorded and controlled in an efficient manner.
They ensure that immediate and longer term financial implications are fully considered, and provide regular updates to the Head of NABIS. They also, complete accurate and timely financial returns to external funding providers.
They Identify opportunities to enhance NABIS core capabilities and identify areas where further financial savings can be exploited as well as identifying additional funding stream opportunities. They support the Head of NABIS to ensure that NABIS budgets are set appropriately and that spend is maintained in line with these budgets. They provide analysis of financial results and forecasts ensuring value for money. They are responsible for collation of financial management information and budget monitoring reports for the Senior Leadership Team and NABIS Governance Board.
They contribute financial information to support ad hoc reporting to the force Executive Teams and the Police and Crime Commissioners.
They co-ordinate business as usual activities, such as collaborative working and co-location with new partners, and also support project business cases by providing the detailed costings as and when required.
This particular role provides an efficient administrative or technical service for the NABIS Intelligence Cell, including the maintenance and development of systems and procedures, performance management, and the development and supervision of staff where required.
They support the intelligence research and administration function of NABIS, targeting firearms related criminality.
NABIS Intelligence Researchers provide front line support and advice on criminal use of firearms intelligence issues to law enforcement colleagues by performing National and International firearms tracing requests by liaising with Europol, Interpol, Firearms Manufacturers, UK Military, Border Force, National Crime Agency, and UK Police Forces.
They conduct research concerning firearms nominals utilising national systems including PNC and PND and in-house / local systems to provide information for nominal profiles and for data sharing with other law enforcement agencies including the NCA and internationally with Europol, in addition to keeping the NABIS database up to date with the results of search research where appropriate.
They support quality assurance assessments and monitor and report on requests, problems and anomalies within the NABIS Intelligence process.
They carry out administrative tasks in the delivery of the Criminal Use of Firearms portfolio, collating, managing, and disseminating intelligence reports.
They assist with strategic assessments, practice advice and doctrine relating to firearms crime for the law enforcement community and government, preparing reports and assessments, and delivering clear presentations where appropriate, ensuring that the medium used is suitable for the audience.
This role is responsible for managing and developing the Media and Communications Strategy for the ACPO Criminal Use of Firearms (CUF) portfolio and NABIS.
They deal with a wide range of complex media issues, and develop, inform, and advise on media issues relating to the ACPO CUF & NABIS media strategy. This also involves managing, developing and updating NABIS internal and external media content, including the NABIS website and other electronic media such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, to improve and enhance the image of NABIS.
It is their responsibility to: produce and develop high profile PR and marketing campaigns for both internal and external consumption on a national basis; assist in the financial management and budgetary responsibility for large-scale/high profile PR and marketing campaigns; manage and develop the marketing of NABIS work strands to internal and external stakeholders; and develop communications working practices within the department.
The role holder is responsible for the day to day running and delivery of allocated business change projects, resulting in the successful delivery of the required business benefits. This involves the design, planning, co-ordination, facilitation and monitoring, and reporting of change projects; developing the capability required to embed service improvement tools and techniques.
They manage a team with responsibility for the identification of service improvement opportunities across the National Criminal Use of Firearms portfolio, with particular focus on NABIS, delivering support to the national programme of transformation in line with the NABIS Strategy, and ensuring value for money is achieved.
It is their responsibility to define and agree business requirements for all areas across NABIS and to introduce solutions to meet these requirements; taking responsibility for the day to day running and delivery of the projects, resulting in new ways of working and identified business benefits being realised.
This role ensures the delivery of a number of transformational projects and change initiatives to attain improved service delivery against SLAs in line with the NABIS Strategy and delivery plan.
Ultimately, they are there to ensure continuous improvement of process, policy, and value for money across the criminal use of firearms national portfolio with particular focus on NABIS.
The role of the Business Analyst is to articulate business change needs, assess the impact of those changes, capture, analyse and document requirements, and then support the communication, progress, and delivery of those requirements to the Project Lead and all relevant stakeholders.
They support the Head of Policy & Strategy in undertaking reviews of functions to design new elements of the NABIS operating model ensuring alignment with the organisational operating model and developments in IT systems.
This involves conducting process optimisation exercises to identify areas of waste, value, and improvements to ensure the most efficient and effective use of resources whilst providing best value service to the customer.
Some of the key activities undertaken include: collecting, understanding and transmitting the business requirements for the project, and translating these into functional specifications and detailed plans; developing ‘as is’ and ‘to be’ states for business processes and operating model designs; and planning and guiding the delivery of small/medium sized projects, overseeing the work of in-house teams or contractors.