About the job

Job summary

The Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA)  is a fast paced operational delivery unit and is responsible for holding departments and arms-length bodies to account for their handling of fraud in the public sector. The PSFA is at the centre of government and leads work across government and public bodies to improve the prevention, detection and recovery of fraud. It was launched on the 3rd August 2022 following an increased focus in government on tackling fraud. The PSFA is outcome and performance driven, offers a depth and breadth of expertise and works jointly with HM Treasury. Working in the PSFA offers access to a wide range of stakeholders across government and the opportunity to work with various sectors in a high-profile policy area with high media, parliamentary and ministerial interest.

The Team

The PSFA Enforcement Unit is a new team dedicated to tacking action against fraud occurring in any central government department or public body. We will assess and develop cases, undertake fraud investigations to the civil and criminal standards, and use Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, Police & Criminal Evidence Act 1984, and bespoke civil penalty powers, once legislated for, to recover funds, impose civil penalties, and seek criminal justice outcomes for the worst offenders. The Unit will become operational at the start of 24/25, taking cases from an initial group of departments and agencies and working with outsourced service providers.

The unit will grow quickly over the next two years and develop into an effective fraud investigation function. This is an exciting time to join and lead something entirely new in government, and make a real difference in the fight against fraud.

Job description

We’re looking for a Grade 7 to lead our Case Development Branch, which covers Case Sourcing, Initial Investigation and Financial Investigation functions.

The successful candidate will be part of the Enforcement Unit leadership team, and will be operational lead (with another G7). The team will take intelligence and allegations of fraud and develop cases for investigation, to both civil and criminal standards (primarily seeking civil outcomes in the initial building period as we gain powers and embed criminal investigation standards). The post holder will direct outsourced service providers of enforcement services to deliver required value for money recovery and criminal justice outcomes. 

The G7 in this post will also be operational lead for Financial Investigation, and manage Accredited Financial Investigators (AFI). This successful candidate does not need to be an AFI in their own right, but must undertake the Senior Appropriate Officer course offered by the National Crime Agency (if not already held) to lawfully authorise AFI work. 

The Unit is at ‘Case 1’ stage of operationalising, and the successful candidate will have a unique opportunity to make their mark - designing processes, building a case pipeline, and working with policy and legal colleagues to ensure that the unit acts lawfully, has clear operating procedures, and that contractual arrangements with service providers and MoUs with customers benefit from investigative insight and operational delivery expertise.  The post holder will lead delivery against targets, driving innovative investigative practice.

The role will suit a candidate with investigative or equivalent compliance or enforcement expertise (for example, in law enforcement or compliance Intelligence functions), looking to make a difference at a senior level, with the ambition to build for the future and make a difference in the fight against fraud.

Responsibilities

• Own delivery of Enforcement targets, ensuring cases contribute value for money and impact, utilising the most effective compliance outcome for each case.
• Initiate, plan and direct case flow to ensure a healthy pipeline of cases from partner agencies, working closely with colleagues in other public sector bodies
• Develop lawful investigation, information management and disclosure processes for end to end case flow
• Oversee and assure contracted-out enforcement services delivery, managing the contracts effectively ensuring that service provided in a case are cost effective and deliver the necessary outcomes to agreed standards and timescales. 
• Oversee civil recovery and litigation action
• Oversee recovery of funds using Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 powers (in-house and outsourced provision)
• Plan for expansion and development of team from small initial unit to much larger complement over SR period. Prepare for granting of PACE 1984 powers and civil penalty powers, supporting legislation which will deliver them.
• Lead and manage the Case Development Branch (2 SEO direct reports, 7 in team, likely to expand further). The post holders will role model the highest standards of ethics and integrity, and ensure these are role modelled in their team.

Person specification

• The post holder must either be an experienced criminal or civil investigator, or have at least three years’ experience in a related compliance, investigation or law enforcement discipline (for example an operational Intelligence field), or be able to demonstrate they have equivalent significant experience. 
• Leadership of an investigative or compliance team with evidence of leading, motivating and developing high performing teams. 
• Skills in evaluation, insight and decision-making – maximising data and insights to best effect, and deciding the best course of action
• Proven ability to project manage a team caseload to tight deadlines
• Innovative and good at problem solving. 
• Ability to form and deliver through collaborative relationships with multiple stakeholders, managing different expectations and goals to ensure delivery of outcomes.

Essential Skills

• Substantial experience in a compliance, investigation or law enforcement discipline, as a civil or criminal investigator. or equivalent experience in a related discipline  

 Desirable skills

• Knowledge and experience of Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 investigative practice, including recovery and confiscation. Candidate does not have to be an Accredited Financial Investigator.

Additional information

A minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. Although requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £53,400, Cabinet Office contributes £14,418 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

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

Application process

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, 500 word personal statement as well as three 250 word behaviour statements. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Managing a Quality Service. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview. 

Selection process

During the blended interview you will be assessed against your experience and the behaviours that are contained within this advert. 

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date – TBD
Expected interview date/s – TBD
Interview location - Google meets 

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Further information

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

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

Any move to Cabinet Office 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

Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

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

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 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 Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk 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 Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

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 applicant’s 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.

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

Reasonable adjustments

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 

• Contact Government Recruitment Service via cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk 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’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please 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.