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Do you have experience in dealing with criminal or financial investigations and/or law enforcement? 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. DWPs Economic Serious and Organised Crime team is the arm of DWP’s Counter Fraud, Compliance and Debt Directorate that deals with complex and sophisticated attacks on DWP benefits and grants payments – usually by Organised Crime Groups.

DWP are looking for people with experience (ideally accredited) in criminal or financial investigations to help tackle organised criminality against DWP through prosecution and/or disruption activities.

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 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.

Financial Investigators are responsible for undertaking Financial Investigations using the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) 2002 legislation, (amended by Criminal Finance Act (CFA) 2017) and Criminal Justice Act (CJA) 1988. They are also responsible for supporting CFCD through providing trained criminal analysts.
Additionally, as work streams change and DWP reacts to the changing behaviours in criminal activity, investigators must keep pace with modern methods of criminality: this includes the increase in Money Laundering activity and the use of crypto currencies to mask monies derived from fraudulent activity.

Any person undertaking Financial Investigation work must be accredited at the appropriate level via the National Crime Agency (NCA), to carry out their duties. In doing so they must attain and evidence knowledge in relation to the legislative requirements as detailed above.

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 DWP to 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 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:

• 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 partners to 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.

What we are looking for in our Investigators:

• You will have previous experience and/or a qualification from another government body or organisation in either financial or criminal 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.

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.

Accreditation Requirements:

Successful candidates are required to undergo a mandatory Level 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.

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:

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

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

• Tell me about a time when you have been involved in either a financial or criminal investigation to a successful outcome. What were your considerations on how you engaged relevant stakeholders to involve them in achieving outcomes, taking account of stake

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 civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk

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Job contact :

Name :
CFCD Recruitment Team
Email :
[email protected]

Recruitment team

Email :
[email protected]