Find More Than 10K+
United Kingdom Jobs

Location

Roles can be based at the following locations:

Bromley, Eastbourne, Harrogate, London (for Marylebone), Newcastle TVP, Staines, Taunton, Pontypridd (for Ty Taf), Walthamstow.

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

Summary

Are you interested in helping vulnerable people by tackling criminal activity? Are you motivated to deliver the right outcomes in challenging situations? The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) could be the place for you. This is a hugely important public service and our challenge is bigger than ever.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Counter Fraud and Compliance Directorate (CFCD) on a team committed to tackling fraud, encountered through our Economic and Serious Organised Crime (ESOC) team. You will be at the forefront of tackling serious and organised crimes against DWP, which often has links into wider criminality of modern slavery, human trafficking and identity fraud.

You will work across multiple law enforcement agencies, on high profile and serious fraud operations involving many suspects in multi-million-pound criminality.

Financial Investigator skills will also be used to conduct Confiscation and Civil investigations on behalf of DWP. Specialist training and support will be provided to help you attain a nationally recognised qualification within this field.

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 financial investigations (criminal and civil) and/or criminal investigations into serious and organised crime against DWP
• 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 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 and/or Crown 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:

• Lead investigations at pace, with the ability to collaborate with internal/external partners
• Be flexible and positively embrace creative thinking to prosecute and disrupt criminal activity
• Have strong leadership and interpersonal skills, as some roles may have line management responsibility
• 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
• Demonstrate integrity and probity that inspires confidence
• 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

What we are looking for in our Investigators:

• You have the skills to gather, interpret and analyse complex information and data from various sources, challenging where appropriate, to reach sound conclusions demonstrating clear decision making
• You are a confident, inspirational and driven, 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

Essential Criteria:

Please be aware:

Security Clearance: Successful applicants for this role will need to undergo National Security Vetting to Security Clearance Level (SC) due to the nature of the role.

Please note: All candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. In certain circumstances, a minimum of 3 years UK residency prior your vetting application may be considered, with additional checks. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.

In addition to the above candidates who are successful will be asked about the following 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 candidate’s 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

Desirable

• For jobs located in Wales, the ability to speak Welsh is desirable

Accreditation Requirements:

Successful candidates must be willing to attain the mandatory Level 4 Investigations apprenticeship, required to undertake the technical functions of the role.

Please note that any required training is full time and successful candidates will be required to attend the ESOC Academy on a full-time basis for three months, plus any additional NCA training (for Financial Investigations) in addition.

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 additionally undertake Confiscator and/or Civil Powers accreditation. The timescales will be communicated to successful candidates at posting on the relevant technical functions of the role.. 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.

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.

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

Benefits including:

• Generous annual leave - 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro–rata for part time employees), plus bank holidays and one day of leave for the King’s 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 www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk

Job contact :

Name :
CFCD Recruitment Team
Email :
[email protected]

Recruitment team :

Email :
[email protected]