Apply before
13/07/2026, 23:55
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Reference number
1084
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Salary
£45,326
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London weighting allowance (Per Annum)
£4,218
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Role grade
G4
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Contract type
Permanent
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Command
Intelligence
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Business Area
National Tasking & Co-ordination
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Type of role
Audit, Governance, Intelligence, Operational Delivery, Policy, Risk Management
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Working pattern
Full time
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Number of roles available
1
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Central Authorities Unit- Senior Officer
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Location(s)
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London, Warrington
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About the Role
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Information about the Command
The role of Intelligence is to develop the right operations, which target and disrupt - by the most effective means - the offenders who seek to cause the highest harm to the UK.
A diverse directorate with a wide variety of unique functions and specialist skillsets in our ranks, some of which we deliver as the national provider for the wider Serious Organised Crime (SOC) system. From our niche technical capabilities, to our overseas network of International Liaison Officers (ILO) and our Tasking teams, there are many component parts which contribute to the efforts of the directorate and the National Crime Agency (NCA).
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Information about the Business Area
National Tasking and Coordination (NTAC) teams carry out a wide variety of national critical functions which underpin all NCA operational activity. It is a truly diverse department made up of unique teams.
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Role Summary
The Central Authorities Unit (CAU) comprises two teams based in London and Warrington, responsible for the provision and quality assurance of authorities and warrants in support of covert activity conducted by NCA operational teams across the UK. The CAU provides specialist support, advice, and guidance to colleagues and partners, ensuring the lawful and consistent authorisation of covert activity in accordance with relevant legislation.
The role requires in-depth knowledge of Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS), including the Criminal Conduct Act (CCA), as well as Undercover (UC/UCOL) legislation. The successful candidate will act as a senior point of contact for operational teams and the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office (IPCO), ensuring accurate reporting, effective stakeholder engagement, and the timely resolution of queries.
The post holder will be accountable for maintaining robust governance and oversight of CHIS and UC activity, ensuring that all records are accurate, and that reporting and notifications to IPCO are completed in line with statutory requirements. This includes ensuring that review and renewal processes are effectively managed within required timeframes, providing leadership to ensure compliance and consistency across this work area.
In addition, the role will lead on promoting best practice and continuous improvement, working closely with CHIS and UC teams to strengthen standards and enhance capability. The post holder will oversee second-line assurance activity, including the dip-sampling of CHIS authorities, ensuring that findings from IPCO inspections are translated into tangible improvements and embedded within CAU processes. The role also includes identifying risks, driving improvements to assurance frameworks, and ensuring that all activity is defensible, proportionate, and aligned with legislative and organisational requirements.
The Central Authorities Unit (CAU) is a dynamic, supportive team at the heart of covert operations. We provide expert guidance, assurance and advice on authorities and warrants, helping colleagues and partners navigate legislation with confidence. Join us to contribute to impactful work that enables NCA teams to deliver vital operational outcomes.
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Role Description
This role requires the successful candidate(s) to lead and manage a small team responsible for the coordination of NCA covert authorities in support of operational activity. You will develop and maintain a high standard of subject matter expertise, demonstrating the effective use of intelligence to support covert tactics in line with relevant legislation.
You will be highly self motivated, resilient, and able to perform under pressure within a dynamic and high risk environment. You will quickly build knowledge of the systems and processes associated with authorities, applying this to deliver high quality outcomes.
As a Subject Matter Expert (SME), you will interpret legislation as part of the second line assurance process for Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS) and Under Cover (UC/UCOL) applications post authorisation. This includes advising, supporting, and upskilling stakeholders to ensure compliance and best practice.
You will also develop and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external partners, fostering collaborative working. This includes close engagement with the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office (IPCO).
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Duties and Responsibilities
Duties & Responsibilities Overview
In depth knowledge of CHIS and an understanding of the Legislation including The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) the Criminal Conduct Act (CCA) and UC/UCOL. In depth knowledge of CHIS, with a strong understanding of the legislative framework governing covert activity, including RIPA, the CCA and UC/UCOL.
To lead a small team working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to support covert activity and achieve objectives. Lead and manage a small team of Authorities Officers, providing clear direction, support and oversight to deliver high quality outcomes in a demanding operational environment. Foster working collaboratively with internal and external partners to support covert activity and deliver key operational objectives.
Support inspections and audits by ensuring internal assurance process is adhered to. Support inspections and audits by ensuring internal second line assurance processes are consistently adhered to and meet required compliance standards.
Maintain a record of all CHIS/UC operations and provide accurate reporting and notification to the Investigatory Powers Commissioners Office (IPCO) in line with statutory requirements. Maintain accurate records of CHIS/UC operations and ensure timely, compliant reporting to IPCO in line with statutory requirements.
Liaise closely with CHIS/UC Teams to ensure best practice and any lessons learned are communicated. Work collaboratively with CHIS/UC teams to promote best practice and ensure lessons identified are effectively shared and embedded.
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders in order to foster collaborative working. Build and sustain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders to drive effective partnership working and deliver shared operational outcomes.
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Person Specification
Skills, Knowledge and Experience Description
Organised Experience of working to tight deadlines with the ability to prioritise workload against competing job demands and resources to meet operational objectives.
Legislation In depth knowledge and use of relevant legislation affecting Agency activity and the ability to interpret and apply this when required.
Decision making Ability to and experience of making effective decisions taking into consideration operational demands and timeframes.
Management Proven experience of successfully leading or supervising people or a team to deliver against operational objectives and performance.
Communication Ability to communicate with staff at all levels to overcome issues and challenges to achieve a successful outcome.
Service delivery Ability to work with internal and external stakeholders to ensure delivery of professional excellence.
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Desirable Criteria
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Desirable criteria are only used for assessment in the event of a tie break.
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- Can demonstrate experience from performing a CHIS Handler role or CHIS Controller role either previously or currently.
- Can demonstrate experience of working within a Covert Authorities Bureau.
- Can demonstrate a strong understanding and practical experience in this area, enabling them to provide authoritative Subject Matter Expert (SME) advice on complex issues and the legislative framework governing covert activity.
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Salary
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Allowances are reviewed annually and may be increased, decreased or removed.
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All salary offers will be made in line with Remuneration Policy.
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Roles based in London will receive an additional London Weighting (Per Annum) of £4,218
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Benefits
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All NCA employees are members of the UK Civil Service and eligible for the Civil Service pension scheme, alongside your salary the NCA contributes £13130. Further information on the benefits of the scheme is available on the Civil Service Pension Website.
New entrants to the NCA receive 26 days annual leave, rising to 31 on completion of 5 years continuous service, plus 8 bank holidays.
If qualifying criteria is met new joiners from UK Police Forces or the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC) will have service with those employers taken into account for continuous service purposes for annual leave entitlement only, this will be up to a maximum of 31 days leave (including 1 privilege day).
Other benefits include:
Flexible working, including flexi-time, compressed hours and job sharing (in line with business requirements)
Family friendly policies, notably above the statutory minimum
Learning and Development opportunities
Interest free loans and advances, including season tickets, childcare and rental deposits
Housing schemes - Key Worker status
Discounts and Savings with a wide variety of services including Cycle to Work, Smart Tech schemes, dental insurance, gym discounts and savings on everyday spending, available through the Reward Gateway | Edenred and Blue Light Card schemes.
Staff support groups/networks
Sports and social activities, including membership to the Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC)
Further information is available on the NCA Website.
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Selection Process Details
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This vacancy is using the Success Profiles framework and will assess using the following criteria: Behaviours, Experience
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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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
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How we will assess you
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Your application will be assessed against the following:
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Experience - This will be assessed:
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Experience Criteria - will be assessed by 250 word examples on:
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Experience of managing work prioritisation against competing demands.
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An understanding of legislation affecting agency activity.
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Proven experience of supervising or managing a team to meet operational objectives.
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A panel will assess how well your application demonstrates the requirements outlined above.
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Longlist
In the event of a high number of applications, we may operate a longlist. Applicants will need to meet the minimum pass mark for the lead criteria.
- Experience of managing work prioritisation against competing demands. .
Candidates who do not meet the minimum pass mark for the lead criteria will not progress to having their other criteria assessed. Applications must meet the minimum criteria to be progressed to the assessment stage.
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You will receive an acknowledgement once your application is submitted.
We aim to have sift completed and scores released within 10 working days of the closing date of the advert. For high volume campaigns this timeframe may be extended.
Scores will be provided but further feedback will not be available at this stage.
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For guidance on the application process, visit:
NCA Applying and Onboarding
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Assessment 1
The format of this assessment will be Interview which will be tested on the criteria listed in the Success Profiles at Assessment section.
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Success Profiles at Assessment
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Behaviours
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Communicating and Influencing
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Making Effective Decisions
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Experience
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Experience of managing work prioritisation against competing demands.
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An understanding of legislation affecting agency activity.
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Proven experience of supervising or managing a team to meet operational objectives.
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Assessment Outcome
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Outcomes will be communicated via the NCA recruitment portal.
If successful but no role is immediately available, you may be placed on a reserve list for 12 months.
Reserve lists can be used to fill similar role types across the Agency where the assessment criteria is considered a match by the recruitment team and the business area.
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In the event of a tie at the assessment stage, available roles will be offered in merit order using the following order:
Lead criteria (behaviours/technical/experience)
If still tied, desirable criteria will be assessed (if advertised)
If still tied, application sift scores will be used
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Feedback is provided only to those who attend an assessment.
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You will be subject to vetting and pre-employment checks before appointment.
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Once the vacancy closes, the advert will no longer be accessible. Please save a copy for your records.
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We encourage all candidates to visit the NCA Careers Page for more information.
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Eligibility, Pre-Employment Check and Vetting
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Please see the NCA T&Cs and Privacy Policy (pdf) for details on how your data is handled.
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If you are an internal candidate who has passed interview but is undergoing an internal investigation or have a written warning in place preventing a post move you may not be able to be posted until this investigation is concluded or restriction lifted.
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Nationality Requirements
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This role is broadly open to the following groups:
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- UK nationals or dual nationals, where one component is British
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Further information on nationality requirements
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You will be required to participate in digital right to work and address checks as part of the recruitment process.
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Security and Vetting
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People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.
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Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is SC Enhanced. All security clearances will be managed by the NCA.
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For more information on security vetting please visit: UK Security Vetting guidance for applicants and Demystifying Vetting and see our vetting charter at: The Vetting Charter.
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Vetting requirements - SC Enhanced
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Prior to commencing the role, you will need to successfully complete SC Enhanced clearance and then achieve both DV Enhanced and DV STRAP clearance within the first 12 months in post.
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The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
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The requirement for DV Enhanced clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 7 of the last 10 years.
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To obtain DV STRAP you must be willing to undergo STRAP induction and must hold full UK nationality or dual nationality, where one component is British. Applications will be considered on a case by case basis.
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Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.
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If the increased clearance cannot be obtained you will be moved to a role appropriate to your clearance level achieved on entry.
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For further information on National Security Vetting checks please visit the following page Demystifying Vetting
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Individuals will be required to undertake and pass a substance misuse test as part of pre-employment checks.
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Occupational Health
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Successful candidates will be expected to undertake an occupational health assessment. Depending on the role an in-person medical may be required in either London or Warrington. Unfortunately, travel costs will not be reimbursed.
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Things you need to know
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Multi Location
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Where multiple locations are advertised, appointments will be made in merit order for each location.
Please indicate up to three location preferences clearly. Only your first three preferences will be considered. You may be allocated to any of the locations you select. If you decline an offer for a location you have selected as a preference, a further offer may not be made.
If you choose to reject an offer and no alternative preferred location can be offered, you will not be able to return to the process or be placed on a reserve list.
Only the advertised locations are available; any additional notes added to the application will not be taken into account.
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Near Miss
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If you meet the criteria for a lower grade, you may be offered that role if not appointable at the advertised grade.
Conversely, if found appointable at a higher grade but no posts are available, you may be offered a lower-grade role.
All offers are made based on merit.
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Hybrid Working
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The NCA supports hybrid working. The extent of remote working will depend on the role and can be discussed at the offer stage.
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Reasonable Adjustments
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We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and an inclusive, equal opportunities employer.
We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone can be their authentic self. If you’re neurodiverse, have a disability, or live with a long-term health condition, we encourage you to let us know about any reasonable adjustments you may need during the recruitment process.
If you experience accessibility issues with the advert or require reasonable adjustments, please contact our Recruitment Team at
[email protected] before the advert closing date.
Please ensure you complete the ‘Equal opportunities’ and 'Reasonable Adjustments' sections in the application form to inform us on what support you may need in the recruitment process.
For more on our Disability Confident commitment, visit Disability Confident Scheme | Civil Service Careers.
Visit NCA Benefits and Support for more details.
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Inclusion
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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 and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
In order to monitor the effectiveness of the National Crime Agency's Diversity & Inclusion strategy, we require certain personal details about you on submission of your application for statistical and monitoring purposes only. Please note that this will be treated in confidence and will not impact your application.
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This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
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Working for the Civil Service
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The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit on merit through fair and open competition, in line with the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.
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.
If you believe your application has not been treated fairly, email:
[email protected] (quoting the vacancy reference).
If unresolved, you may escalate your complaint to the Civil Service Commission.
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Working for the NCA
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The National Crime Agency is a 24/7 organisation, and working patterns must support business requirements. Some roles may require you to respond at short notice or outside of core hours.
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If preferable, alternative contract types may be available. Please review the green bar of this advert to view all available contract types for this role. Where Loan or Secondment options are available, these would be for existing Civil Servants (Loan) and applicants from accredited Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) or any other employer (Secondment). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
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If you have any specific queries about the role that are not covered by the advert, please contact:
Name : Central Recruitment Team
Email : [email protected]
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