About the Role

The Investigator role is part of our Counter Fraud and Investigation team. This team provides a range of investigation services to GIAA customers, including assistance with fraud detection, prevention and deterrence, as well as data analytics, fraud risk assessment and intelligence.

A primary objective for GIAA Counter Fraud and Investigations is to lead the Government's response in tackling fraud by staff and third parties. To succeed, we will establish and foster effective and collaborative working relationships with other parts of Government. Investigators have a key leadership role to help create and nurture relationships, enabling the best response to threats and incidents across government and increasingly the private sector.

The Investigator role will undertake and manage investigations of major, often complex incidents in Government Departments, to agreed plans, and in line with quality, time and budget requirements. The role will also include, lead and support for ad-hoc counter fraud commissions relating to policy development, fraud risk assessment, conflicts of interest and the Government Counter Fraud functional standards.

This is a vital role, delivering against these challenges and strengthening the counter fraud and investigations specialism and the Government Counter Fraud Profession (GCFP).

Responsibilities
Key accountabilities

1. Undertake investigations in response to incidents across Public Sector under the direction of the Investigation Manager or SIO and in accordance with agreed plans and costs, and in line with quality, time and budget requirements.

2. Plan individual investigations and assignments ensuring they comply with legislative practice and policy, meeting performance targets and Terms of Reference and ensure accurate recording of time to activities.

3. Collaborate with the team and other professionals to deliver investigations and counter fraud activities in accordance with agreed counter fraud disciplines and standards.

4. Contribute to the delivery of business objectives through marketing, partnering and negotiating with key stakeholder groups. Foster open and transparent working relationships with UK operational partners in order to maximise the overall impact of the counter fraud response.

5. Engage effectively with stakeholders before, during and after investigations and other counter fraud assignments ensuring Terms of Reference criteria are met, objectives agreed and feedback provided at key stages of the activity.

6. Support the identification and sharing of best practice and work with colleagues on ensuring the highest levels of quality assurance across all products & processes.

7. Investigate significant and complex investigations and deliver robust, evidence-based, independent investigations and report to Investigation Managers and Senior Investigation Officers in accordance with agreed timetables.

8. Support delivery of GIAA's 2019-2022 Strategy with emphasis on improving the counter-fraud culture across Government and wider public sector, building our reputation as a recognised Centre of Excellence within the Counter Fraud Profession.

Desired qualifications

• Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist (ACFS)
• Accredited Counter Fraud Manager (ACFM)

Or be willing to undertake the ACFS or ACFM. More information on the qualification can be found below.

The Qualification is to become an Accredited Counter Fraud officer (ACFS):
The 14 day programme provides the skills to investigate fraud and a recognised certificate. It offers an in-depth understanding of the fraud landscape which will bring investigations to a successful conclusion and assist organisations in early detection and prevention of economic crime offending. The programme covers the prevention, deterrence and detection of fraud, relevant legislation, investigative skills, witness and suspect interview requirements, preparation of prosecution files, cross examination, application of sanctions and reporting of outcomes.

Person specification

Required skills and knowledge:
• Experience of analysing information from a wide range of sources;

• Experience of exploiting cross-source data, including, digital, financial and open source data to support reactive and proactive intelligence activity;

• Excellent drafting and report writing skills in accordance with agreed conventions;

• Knowledge of the Government Counter-Fraud framework and functional standards;

• Excellent organisational and communication skills;

• Be able to manage competing priorities; and

• Demonstrate initiative, self-discipline and working at pace.

Benefits

Benefits

• Access to learning and development tailored to your role
• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• A civil service pension

Things you need to know

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check .

Selection process details

Working arrangements

Location
The post will be based in London, Burton on Trent, Sheffield and Bootle, although other GIAA locations may be considered.

Hours of Work
The working hours of this post are 42 per week (including meal breaks of 1 hour a day)
This post is available on a full time, part time or job share basis, and flexible working hours can be accommodated.
There will be a requirement travel and stay overnight where necessary.

Additional Salary information

New Entrants to the Civil Service
Although new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to join at the minimum of the salary range, we have limited discretion to agree a higher starting point dependent on skills and experience.
Annual pay awards are made in line with current Civil Service directives.

Existing Civil Servants
If you are in receipt of any allowances these may be consolidated in the agreed salary but this will be considered on a case by case basis.

Candidate Pack and FAQs

Please take time to read the Candidate pack and FAQs for more information regarding GIAA. It contains important information regarding the campaign locations, salary, benefits of working in a Civil Service department and qualification/ID requirements.

Application details

To apply for this post, you should complete the on-line application form as directed in the advert. If you experience any issues with the online application process, please contact HR Recruitment on 0207 270 6000 option 3, and option 1.
As part of our pre-employment security checks, if you are invited to interview and are not a current GIAA member of staff, we will require a copy of your passport confirming proof of both your nationality and your identity, and a copy of a utility bill confirming your proof of address. Please note, your passport must be in date and valid, and the utility bill must have been issued within the last three months. We will also need to see notification from DWP of your National Insurance number.
Please let us know if your contact details change at any time during the selection process.
Feedback will be provided only to those invited to attend an interview.

Initial Sift Process

All sifting is carried out anonymously. This means your personal details will be removed from the application for this stage of the process and only your personal statement will be reviewed.

A 7 point scoring matrix is used as follows:
1. Not Demonstrated
2. Minimal Demonstration
3. Moderate Demonstration
4. Acceptable Demonstration
5. Good Demonstration
6. Strong Demonstration
7. Outstanding Demonstration

If you do not score a four or more against any one indicator, your application will not progress to the next stage. In the event of a large number of applications, GIAA reserve the right to raise the minimum pass level.

Interview Process

We envisage interviews to be conducted during October 2019.
Candidates will be asked questions in relation to the Person Specification indicators followed by a discussion related to your skills/experience that covers the Key Accountabilities detailed in the Role Profile.
Please check with your home department as travel expenses will not be reimbursed.

Matching Process

Appointments will be made in strict merit order.
Successful candidates who are not appointed may be placed on a reserve list for 12 months.

Diversity statement

GIAA has a strong commitment to equality and diversity. Our aim is to be a department which is open and accessible, recruiting and retaining diverse, talented and high-performing people who support and develop one another.

GIAA guarantees to interview any disabled applicants, provided they meet the required criteria for the post, and confirm on their application, their eligibility for the guaranteed interview scheme.

Civil Service Applicants - References applying on promotion

As this is an open competition, references will be sought from your current line manager in the same way that references are sought from external candidates' employers.
Applicants must inform their managers of their intention to apply for this recruitment campaign.

Please ensure you allow sufficient time for you to have a conversation about this application with your line manager.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here .

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.