Fraud Investigator

Job description

Your role will be varied with no two days being the same, and you will be empowered to make decisions working alongside multiple agencies.

What will you be doing as either a Criminal or Financial Investigator?

• Lead criminal investigations or financial investigations (criminal and civil) into serious and organised crime against DWPto a successful outcome.
• Engage and collaborate with colleagues, law enforcement agencies and partners across DWP and Government, on joint operations into organised crime.
• Conduct formal briefings with law enforcement agencies, including senior police officers and leaders on the likely impact of operations. This includes press interest notifications and accurate and timely completion of Advanced Warning reports.
• Organise and participate in arrest, search, and seizure procedures in accordance with Warrant legislation and Departmental guidance.
• Undertake advanced interviews under caution in accordance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE).
• Make informed decisions, as to the appropriate legislation and powers to be used and timelines to be imposed on investigations.
• Work closely with Crown Prosecution Service/Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to develop evidence requirements. Prepare all submissions in relation to prosecution, confiscation, and civil actions for court.
• Carry out the role of the Disclosure Officer and be able to produce accurate Disclosure Schedules and adhere to the requirements of an Exhibits Officer as required.
• Confidently use expert knowledge of the case, engage with lawyers and barristers in investigations, including understanding and progressing directions from Counsel and the Courts at pace.
• Give evidence in Magistrates/Crown Court or Sherriff/High Court and manage witnesses and victims during the investigation and prosecution process.
• Work with DWP colleagues to reduce and stop further benefit loss.

Responsibilities

As an Investigator you will:

• Demonstrate integrity and probity that inspires confidence.
• Have strong leadership and interpersonal skills, as some roles may have line management responsibility.
• Lead investigations at pace, with the ability to collaborate with internal/external partnersto achieve successful outcomes.
• Be flexible and positively embrace creative thinking to prosecute and disrupt criminal activity.
• Good presentation and communication ability with excellent written/drafting skills.
• Ability to make sound business decisions, at pace, while protecting the public purse and victims
• Excellent, planning, delegation, and organisational skills, as well as strong negotiating and influencing skills.
• Excellent collaboration skills, representing DWP in national multi agency meetings requiring strategic decisions.
• Be able to build knowledge of the range of tools, techniques and technology used by organised crime groups to attack Government payment systems.
• Be a team player and able to work as part of a team, as well as lead activities internally and externally.
• Have the confidence and ability to deliver strategic operational briefings to large teams of partners e.g. Police, National Crime Agency (NCA) and Immigration colleagues.

Person specification

What we are looking for in our Investigators:

• You will have some previous experience and/or a qualification in carrying out investigations or law enforcement.
• You have the skills to gather, interpret and analyse complex information and data from various sources, at pace, challenging where appropriate, to reach sound conclusions demonstrating clear decision making.
• You are a confident, inspirational and driven leader, able to take charge of situations and provide direction to those around you, to achieve results ensuring the best use of resources.
• You have the ability to work closely as part of a team, with key partners and stakeholders within and outside of the organisation, navigating complex situations, policies and procedures.
• You can present complex information in a clear and concise manner, drawing conclusions and presenting recommendations where appropriate, outlining the considerations you have made.
• You are proactive in developing and maintaining positive and professional working relationships with diverse groups of people and organisations, prioritising the needs of the business while negotiating best outcomes for all stakeholders.
• You can interpret and work within set rules and processes, setting and monitoring progress against milestones whilst still being able to innovate in an ever-changing environment.
• You have a focus on building your own and others capability, continually reviewing learning needs and development to ensure changing business requirements can be delivered professionally at pace.

Key Criteria

Candidates will be able to demonstrate the following Key criteria:

• Experience of working collaboratively with internal and external partners, demonstrating your ability to build relationships to agree common objectives, and sharing resources and information.
• Experience of leading an investigation, your decision-making process and how youve involved others to consider the wider impact.
• Experience of organising and prioritising your workload. How did you ensure progression and take action to address risks to timescales.

Desirable Criteria

• If based in Wales, the ability to speak Welsh is desirable.

Please note that the role that you are applying requires National Security Vetting (NSV) to the level Security Check (SC). You can find more information at United Kingdom Security Vetting: Applicant - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

If you are successful in your application, you will need to attain SC clearance before you can take up post. This is mandatory and is in addition to completion of Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS).

The purpose of the NSV process is to provide a level of assurance about an individuals trustworthiness, integrity and reliability, and other factors that increase their vulnerability to corruption or risk of committing a security breach. It involves the investigation of an individuals background and circumstances to achieve this aim.

To be eligible to apply, you will need to have 5 years continual UK residency prior to the date of your application. In certain circumstances a minimum period of 3 years may be considered with additional checks. If you do not have continual UK residency, we will not be able to proceed with your application, because you will be unable to obtain Security Clearance. This includes if you have been out of the UK for six months or more during this time.

The application process will ask for personal details about you, your address history, previous relationships, your parents, your employment history, your financial circumstances, and details of any pending, spent or unspent convictions. This list is not exhaustive. Please view the Vetting explained - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) for more information.

If you require any further information, please contact the vacancy holder the details are on the jobs portal through which you made your application.

If you are successful in your application, we recommend that you familiarise yourself with the NSV process and advise that you collate as much information as you can prior to starting your Vetting application.

If you go on to attain Security Clearance, then you should be aware of the following:

Behaviours expected of you to maintain clearance

Keeping your clearance is dependent upon maintaining good security behaviours. You must:

• Not take any illegal drugs.
• Always act with honesty and integrity and, if you are a Civil Servant, adhere to the Civil Service Code .
• Always act in a way that will not put you at risk of being unduly influenced, exploited or blackmailed by people such as criminals and journalists.

In addition to the above candidates who are successful will be asked to complete an integrity declaration before we offer them a position.
Candidates must declare to the best of their knowledge:

• Any disciplinary finding of guilt / failure to meet the appropriate standard of conduct relating to their employment they have ever had.
• Any charge of a disciplinary offence / notification of a failure to meet the appropriate standards they have ever had where the case has not yet been concluded.
• Any past convictions, criminal findings, or police cautions, regardless of whether they are spent, they have ever had.
• The disclosure of this information will not automatically disbar the candidate from this role but we need to be aware of any event or issue which could impinge on the candidates credibility if questioned in court.

What Checks are Involved?

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

Learning Requirements

Accreditation

Successful candidates are required to undergo a mandatoryLevel 4 Counter Fraud Investigator Apprenticeship (CFIA), required to undertake the technical functions of both criminal and financial investigator roles.

DWP endorses the use of apprenticeships and successful candidates meeting the (CFIA) eligibility criteria will be required to complete this learning programme and achieve the level 4 award (as a condition of their appointment).

CFIA includes face to face learning elements which the applicant needs to be aware could require them to travel outside of daily travelling times and incur overnight stays away from home.

Functional Skills at Level 2 for English and Mathematics are a requirement of all apprenticeships.Learners who are not already qualified to this level or who are unable to produce certificates verifying this will be required to complete functional skills assessments as part of their learning journey.

More details on what is involved in this learning can be found in the links below:

Counter fraud investigator / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education

Functional Skills qualifications: requirements and guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Candidates are strongly advised to familiarise themselves with the requirements of this learning.

In addition, Financial Investigators must be able to attain the accreditation status of Financial Intelligence Officer (FIO) and Financial Investigator.If required by the business, candidates may additionally undertake Confiscator and/or Civil Powers accreditation.

Please note that any required training is full time.

Candidates posted to this role must achieve accreditation via the National Crime Agency, to fulfil their duties.

Where a qualification is not achieved, it would not be possible to fulfil the role requirements and candidates will be redeployed, within CFCD where possible, following Workforce Management Policy and Procedures.

Government Counter Fraud Profession

The DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) is committed to investing in people and ensuring their teams are a professional workforce. It is a requirement of Counter Fraud post holders within DWP to attain, and retain, membership of the GCFP (Government Counter Fraud Profession) at Practitioner level. This means if you are successful in applying for this role you will need to undertake an annual self-assessment to evidence your knowledge, skills, and experience within your role to attain and retain practitioner level membership. We provide post holders with a learning routeway to support them in achieving as well as any workplace adjustments they may require. Failure to attain membership of the GCFP at Practitioner level may result in DWP seeking an alternative role for you.

In applying you will have indicated that you have read and fully understood the professional requirements for this Counter Fraud Officer role.

Travel Requirements - you will be required to attend:

• Briefings and operational planning with external stakeholders such as Police, Lawyers, Barristers.
• Interviews under Caution.
• Organise and participate in arrests, search and seizure.
• From arrest location, transport evidence to office or a secure location in preparation for court.
• Attendance at Court for applications of Orders and Confiscation/Civil hearings.

Successful candidates will need to be able to travel, retrieve evidence and be available at short notice. Due to the nature of the role this could be at any location nationally and during unsociable hours (both night/day and weekends). A departmental vehicle OR hire car may be made available if you hold a full UK driving license.

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Benefits including:

• Generous annual leave - 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (prorata for part time employees), plus bank holidays and one day of leave for the Kings Birthday. The exact number of days of annual leave will be determined by any current years of service.
• Competitive maternity, paternity and parental leave we also recognise the importance of a good work-life balance and offer flexible working and a family friendly approach to work.
• Training and apprenticeships and up to 5 days personal development & learning allowance
• Flexible/hybrid working
• Employee discount schemes
• Free wellbeing support
• Opportunities to make a real difference through joining forums, initiatives & charities
• Interest free travel loans
• Vodafone advantage discount scheme
• Highly sought after civil service pension- your pension is a valuable part of your total reward package where:
  - The employer makes a significant contribution to the cost of your pension.
  - Your contributions come out of your salary before any tax is taken. This means, if you pay tax, your take-home pay will not be reduced by the full amount of your contribution; and
  - Your pension will continue to provide valuable benefits for you and your family if you are too ill to continue to work or die before you retire.
  - For more information, visit civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk

Location

Applicants should apply for suitable posts where they can travel to and from their home office location daily within a reasonable time.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. Relocation costs will not be reimbursed.

Hybrid Working

This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

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

Stage 1 - Application and Sift

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a Personal Statement in no more than 1000 words detailing the relevant skills and experience you can bring to the role, based on the Key Criteria listed.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

When completing your Personal Statement, please read and understand the Key Criteria thoroughly, as this is what your written evidence will be assessed against. Your layout is entirely your preference; you may choose narrative, bullets, etc. You may choose to address each criteria separately, however, one narrative example may cover and evidence several key criteria. You may not be able to meet all the key criteria, but please ensure you evidence the key personal requirements, what have you done thats relatable to the requirements. You dont have to explain the whole process, just what you have done and the skills and experience you have used. Share with us what makes you suited to this role and why. What you can do, the skills you have that are transferable to the key requirements, and the life experience or passion you have that are linked to this role.

If you do not have work-based examples then please give examples from school/college, clubs, volunteering or other activities you have been involved in. You dont have to explain the whole process, just what you have done and the skills and experience you have used.

**Please note the closing date for your full application is 23:55 on 07/05/2024**

Sift to be held 13/05/2024 to 24/05/2024. These dates made be subject to change.

Candidate Pack

It is important that you take time to read the Candidate Pack which can be found at the bottom of this job advert.This provides further information about the role and working in DWP.

Stage 2 - Interview

Those who pass the Written Application Sift with the required score will be invited to a blended interview and will receive an electronic notification to your Civil Service Jobs account.

Please note that interviews will be held Face-to-Face across the UK at various locations on the advert. You will receive a invite with the relevant details to attend the office at the appointed time through the email account you provide us with on your application.

Interviews are scheduled to take place from 10/06/2024 to 21/06/2024, please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and could be subject to change. Interviews will be scheduled Monday to Friday, between 09:00 to 17:00.

Communications will be electronic and/or by telephone therefore it is vitally important that you check your Civil Service Jobs account regularly, as well as your spam/junk email folder. Telephone calls may show as a withheld number, it is important that you answer so that your interview can be confirmed.

Preparing for the interview

The interview will take approximately 45 minutes where you will be asked a mixture of Behavioural and Strength questions. A blended interview aims to be more of a conversation at interview offering a more inclusive approach.The Strength and Behaviour based questioning explores what the candidate can and has done, but also their potential.

Behaviours

You will be assessed against the Civil Service Behaviours listed above at Level 3.

To help you prepare and settle into the interview you will be sent the behavioural questions in advance of the interview. These questions should be treated as confidential and should not be shared. The interview panel may ask you other questions which will not be shared in advance, including follow-up questions, and those about your strengths.

An example of a Behavioural question would be Tell me about a time when youve had to deal with a difficult customer.

It may help to use one or more examples of a piece of work you have completed or a situation you have been in and use the WHO or STAR model to explain:

• WHO - Whatit was,Howyou approached the work/situation and what theOutcomeswere, what did youachieve? or
• STAR - What was theSituation? What were theTasks? WhatActiondid you take? What were the Results of your actions?

Strengths

It is difficult to prepare for strength type questions. However, you can think through your answers, focus on your achievements and aspects you enjoy and decide how these can be applied in the organisation and role.

While strengths questions are shorter and we do not expect a full STAR response, the panel is interested in your first reaction to the question and information or reasoning to support this.

If you do not have work-based examples then please give examples from school/college, clubs, volunteering or other activities you have been involved in.

If you withdraw your application at any stage, it will not be progressed any further.

Stage 3 Offer

Once all interviews have been completed, candidates will be notified of the outcome by email. Successful candidates will beposted in merit order based on your location preferences, where appropriate, and the geographicalrequirements of the business.Dependent on your position on the merit list, if none of your locationpreferences remain at thepointwe make a job offer DWP may offer you a role at an alternativeadvertised location. If we are unable to offer you a role in any of your preferred locations, and you areunable to accept a role at an alternative advertised location, we will add you to the reserve list.

The successful candidate(s) will be notified of a start date following successful security checks, which is likely to be during September/October 2024.

Important information.

Working Pattern

Part-time and job-sharing working patterns within working hours will be considered but must meet business needs. Wewill do our best to let people with existing part time contracts retain their contracted hours provided they are in line withcurrent business needs. Please note that successful part time and job share candidates will be required to work full timefor specific periods to complete all training and consolidation.

Hours of Work

The full-time working week in DWP is 37 hours. You may be required to work at any time between the hours of:

• 7:45am and 8:00pm on any day between Monday to Friday, and
• 8:45am to 5:00pm on Saturday.

Managers will agree working patterns with successful applicants within these business hours and review these asappropriate.You will be given advance notice of your personal schedule.

Please note:

• If you are offered the role you applied for, in a location you have expressed a preference for, and you decline the offer or are unable to take up post within a reasonable timeframe you will be withdrawn from the campaign and removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances*.
• If DWP makes an offer of an alternative role or location to that which you originally applied for, and you decline that offer, you will be able to remain on the reserve list.

*Note -Exceptional circumstances could be when a candidate has requested a contractual Part Time Working Pattern and this pattern cannot be accommodated in the initial role offered, or in cases of serious ill health.

Candidates should also note that if successful in this campaign, you will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before applying for any other lateral moves within DWP.

Further information

Find out more about Working for DWP

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to DWP from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to the Disclosure and Barring Service or Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email [email protected]

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

DWP takes development seriously. Our aim is for our colleagues in these roles to be appropriately skilled and qualified as determined by the business. To support this aim you may be required to undertake a work based qualification, which may be in the form of an apprenticeship, which will support you in further developing your professional knowledge and skills for this role and your future career development. The qualification can be undertaken in work time, you agree to take this job on the basis that you may be required to undertake a work based qualification; a candidates failure to participate fully in the professional programme, once appointed, may be a breach of their employment contract.

Important

If you hold a level 3 qualification (2 A levels or equivalent) then please bring your certificates with you to the interview if you have them.

Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing.

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn. Internal DWP candidates may also face disciplinary action.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Reasonable Adjustments

At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.

We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you are deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advertplease contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

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

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window) .

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

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

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

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

Working for the Civil Service

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

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

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

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