Senior Operational Policy Adviser – Fraud Enforcement

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.

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.