Job description
Everyone in Scotland should have the support they need to live their life and we believe they should be able to get it when and where they need it. That's why Social Security Scotland is built around the people of Scotland.
However fraud is a known risk in the benefits being devolved so the agency are planning their response.
The role offers the opportunity to contribute to the safeguarding of vital resources for the people of Scotland who need them, by leading expert teams gathering and assessing intelligence to support formal investigation action. It also allows the exciting opportunity to engage closely with project management staff, helping to influence the design of the service, testing processes and systems to shape our evolution as we move through implementation. The successful candidate will demonstrate flexibility, be comfortable in a changing environment, and enjoy working collaboratively to identify opportunities for improvements, exploring new ideas and solutions.
Benefits
Competitive salary package- Flexible working offering excellent work/life balance
- Minimum 5 weeks’ annual leave (pro rata) in addition to 11.5 public and privilege holidays
- Workplace adjustments for everyone that need them to ensure your comfort and safety in your new role
- Learning and development opportunities to support your personal and professional growth
- Career progression – join a rapidly growing and developing organisation with excellent opportunities for career advancement
- Civil Service pension
- Health and wellbeing support including 24 hour access to our Employee Assistance Programme, plus counselling support available for all
Social Security Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government.
Our benefits help people from all walks of life in Scotland. We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that is representative of the clients we serve.
Find out more about us here.
Our current way of working is by a hybrid working approach, where colleagues will be expected to use a mix of office based and remote working (working from home) depending on the requirements of the role. Base office location for this post can be in Glasgow, Inverness or Edinburgh.
Investigation planning to identify relevant enquiries and gather appropriate evidence- Interviewing witnesses and conducting formal recorded interviews of suspects.
- Undertaking risk assessments, administering documentation and carrying out activities in support of directed surveillance.
- Close working with other government departments and Police Scotland as appropriate
- Preparing adjudication reports and case summaries
- Writing crime reports for submission to the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service, and collating production packs, disclosure schedules etc.
- Providing evidence as a witness in prosecution case proceedings and supporting Appeals Officer as appropriate where a Tribunal hearing is requested in relation to a fraud determination
Additionally, while the Counter Fraud Service transitions to the fully functioning model, investigators will be required to adopt a flexible approach, undertaking additional activities such as risk assessment of referrals, informal intervention interviews etc. as and when required.
Below are details of the Competencies required for this role and you will be tested against these competencies if you are invited to attend the interview/assessment:
Self-Awareness- Communication and Engagement
- Analysis and Use of Evidence
- Improving Performance
In your application form, we will ask you to provide specific examples of how you meet the Essential Criteria below. You will have 300 words for each to showcase your knowledge, skills, and personal qualities. Your experience and answers here don’t need to be work related. They could be from any part of your life including education, sport, and hobbies or even from your personal or family life.
1. Operational experience in counter fraud or some other form of criminal investigation, ideally to include formal interviewing, statement noting, crime report collation and surveillance.
2. An ability to work collaboratively with partners, seeking opportunities to share resources, information, experience and best practice.
3. A sound approach to decision making with an ability to consider proportionality and necessity when undertaking investigation enquiries.
4. An ability to work effectively in a changing environment, demonstrating flexibility, overcoming challenges and enabling others to do so.
5. Candidates are invited to state the base location/locations they are prepared to work from. Candidates can chose 1 or up to 3 but should only choose locations suitable to be your permanent base. If you choose more than one location please put them in order of preference with most preferred location first. Your choices should be listed in the Essential Criteria 5 box on the application form. Base locations will then be allocated accordingly to successful candidates at the offer stage.
This post requires the successful candidate to clear additional National Security Vetting clearance before a start date can be offered.
The successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 3 years unless successful in gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.
In the event that further posts are required, a reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for up to 9 months.
Social Security Scotland - Further information for job applicants
Virtual Candidate Workshops:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/520270642497
Social Security Scotland are a Disability Confident Employer. We will consider and implement any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process and during the course of your employment, should you be successful in securing a post. If you feel you may require assistance with any part of our recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected].
To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Fiona Gray who can be reached at [email protected]
Social Security Scotland’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the recruitment principles of the Civil Service Commissioner, which outline that selection for appointment be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition - Recruitment - Civil Service Commission (independent.gov.uk)
If you feel at any time your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, you can make a complaint, by contacting Social Security Scotland at [email protected] in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response, you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commissioner
If you experience any difficulties accessing our website or completing the online application form, please contact the Resourcing Team via [email protected]