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Location
About the job
Job summary
The Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA) is a fast paced delivery and operational team that is responsible for holding departments and arms-length bodies to account for their handling of fraud in the public sector. It was launched on the 3rd August 2022 following an increased focus in government on tackling fraud. The Authority writes the standards for counter fraud work across government and hold public bodies to account against these. The PSFA is outcome and performance driven, offers a depth and breadth of expertise and works jointly with HMT to tackle fraud in the public sector. 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 taking action against fraud occurring in any 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, Police & Criminal Evidence Act, and bespoke civil powers, once legislated for, to recover funds, impose civil penalties, and seek criminal justice outcomes for the worst offenders.
The Unit will become operational in March 2024, taking cases from an initial group of departments and agencies and working with an outsourced service provider of investigative services. The unit will grow quickly over the next two years and develop into an effective fraud investigation and enforcement 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 are seeking an experienced Operational Policy lead to own policy, guidance and process within the Enforcement Unit.
The post holder will own Enforcement and Investigative Practice for the unit, ensuring Operational Policy guidance is in place, accurate and up to date, and is followed in practice by Investigators. They will propose new policy and practice, and work with the team to embed it. They will connect with colleagues across Government and the public sector to recognise best practice, and will establish quality control principles and working standards for the team to follow.
The post holder will work closely with PSFA Policy colleagues to design and land new legislation to give powers and authorities to the unit, including Police and Crime Evidence Act 1984 powers, bespoke civil penalty powers, and wide-ranging information powers. They will act as lead customer, be involved in drafting and support legislation as it goes through Parliament. They will be the operational lead for implementing the legislation once passed.
The Post holder will hold the relationship with outsourced professional services and legal services providers, ensuring contracts are managed and services commissioned are sensible, have budgetary approval, and deliver as required. They will also hold the communications portfolio for the unit, developing proposals for the effective promotion of the unit’s work and identifying and engaging with stakeholders. As part of this they will own the Enforcement Advisory Group, a cross-Government expert group which has helped develop the unit.
This role offers considerable development opportunities for an ambitious and thoughtful future leader who wants to do something new which they can own and deliver with autonomy. It is not an investigative role and candidates do not need to have an investigation or law enforcement background, although that would be an advantage, but should be experienced in leading policy implementation, developing guidance, and project managing.
Responsibilities:
- Operational Policy lead for PSFA Enforcement Unit.
- Own and develop policy and guidance, including (for example) disclosure, case flow, triage policy and other areas.
- Develop assurance practices to ensure guidance is followed.
- Lead customer for legislation development – work with Policy, legal advisers, and other departments on landing new enforcement powers which have the scope to impact HMG Fraud Enforcement. This will involve developing information for a Bill and may involved supporting Ministers
- Lead contract management and relationships with outsourced service providers, acting as the interface between them and investigation teams and ensuring costs are forecast and managed and outcomes are delivered
- Lead communications work for Enforcement and as part of the wider PSFA communications team. Secretariat for Enforcement Advisory Group, setting the agenda and maintaining support across Government. Developing stakeholder relationships to build effective external partnerships and collaborate with other government departments and public bodies, and wider UK law enforcement.
- Lead on Data policy and information assurance for Enforcement Unit, ensuring we
- Lead individual projects to develop and improve the Enforcement Unit and wider PSFA, including developing business cases and evidence for action.
- The role will require occasional travel to PSFA locations. This may include overnight stays.
Person specification
Person specification:
We are looking for candidates who have law enforcement and/or fraud compliance awareness. You do not need to be a current or former practitioner in operational law enforcement roles.
- You will have strong project management skills, able to manage information in an organised way to ensure it is always current.
- Strong drafting and verbal communication skills. You will have some relationship management experience with the ability to effectively engage with senior partners.
- You will be able to see the big picture and able to review data to make reasonable conclusions and decisions, providing a strong understanding of how departmental strategies fit.
- Experience of policy drafting and legislation would be beneficial (note that this is not a pure policy role, it is operational delivery), as would experience of contract management.
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.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role.
- An environment with flexible working options.
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
- A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and average employer contributions of 27%.
- A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application process
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. The personal statement has a maximum 500 word count of 500.
You will also be required to submit behaviour statements to cover the behaviours listed below.
Applications will be sifted on qualifications, experience and the behaviours – Delivering at Pace, Working Together, Communicating and Influencing.
If we get a large volume of applicants we may do an initial sift on the 500-word Personal statement and your CV.
Selection process
You will be assessed on the following behaviours at the interview – Delivering at Pace, Working Together, Communicating and Influencing.
Expected timeline (subject to change)
Expected sift date – WC 22nd April
Expected interview date/s – WC 1st May
Interview location - TBD
A reserve list will 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
Reasonable adjustments
You may be required to travel to our other office locations on occasion.
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 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 /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
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
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.
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
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
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at info@csc.gov.uk. For further information on the Recruitment Principles. and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.
