Investigations Case Officer

The Team

The PSFA was launched on the 3rd August 2022 following an increased focus in government on tackling fraud. It succeeded the Government Counter Fraud Function (GCFF) in the Cabinet Office. The PSFA is at the centre of this function and leads work across government and public bodies to improve the prevention, detection and recovery of fraud. 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.

The PSFA Enforcement Unit is a new team dedicated to enabling action against fraud 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, to recover funds, impose civil penalties, and seek criminal justice outcomes for the worst offenders. This is supported by new legislation the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recoveries) Act 2025 which provides significant powers to the Enforcement Unit.

The unit will grow quickly over the next two years and develop into an effective fraud investigation 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 experienced investigators to conduct a range of investigations into fraud against the public sector. The teams will progress criminal prosecutions and civil investigation for both subsequent POCA recovery or civil litigation and debt recovery.

They will develop and progress fraud and financial investigations in accordance with new legislative requirements. This will include acting as disclosure officer if required. These will be used to maximise the effective use of POCA (by AFIs) and other avenues to recover public funds. They will liaise with outsourced contract partners and other government departments to provide investigative services.

The successful applicant will be involved in the development of process and procedures following the passage of the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill to support operationalising the powers.

The roles will suit an experienced investigator who wants a new challenge in a new high-profile unit with the ambition to build for the future and make a difference in the fight against fraud.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct lawful investigations developing cases for criminal prosecution, civil litigation, using new compulsory information powers, application of new civil penalties, supporting civil recovery in accordance with POCA powers (by AFIs), ensuring all legal and operational requirements are met on the way to preparing cases for submission for charge advice and/or judicial outcomes, or other compliance outcomes.
• Work with partner agencies in the co-ordination of multi-agency operations
• Working with outsourced partners and their team, sift and analyse large volumes of data, during and follow complex financial investigations, and seek and act upon opportunities to obtain evidential material.
• Act as a witness in both civil litigation and criminal prosecutions.
• Build effective external partnerships and collaborate with other government departments and public bodies, and wider UK law enforcement.
• The role will require regular travel to PSFA locations, other offices and locations linked to investigations to conduct interviews and searches as required. This may include overnight stays.
• Assist in the development of operational policies and procedures.
• The post holder must hold a recognised investigations qualification (or approved exemption through prior experience), either accredited in their current role or in a previous role within two years and willing to be reaccredited.

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

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Application process

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement and a number of behavioural statements.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Please base your personal statement (max: 500 words) on past skills and experience relating to the essential skills criteria.

Applications will be sifted on qualifications, experience (CV and personal statement) and the behaviours – Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Working Together.

If we get a large volume of applicants we may do an initial sift on the on the 500-word personal statement, your job history, qualifications, skills and experience.

Selection process

Interviews will be conducted remotely via Google Meet (formerly known as Hangouts) and selection will be conducted using the behaviours above and technical skills: a short presentation of an anonymised case you have worked on will form that part of the interview.

Expected timeline

Expected sift date – TBD

Expected interview date/s – TBD

Interview location - Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.

Reasonable Adjustment

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.

Further information

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'contact point for applicants' section.

Recruitment campaigns for the Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA) are continuing as usual, but candidates should be aware that following the Government’s announcement on the changes to some civil service departments, roles will be subject to the machinery of government move of the PSFA to DWP. We will provide more information on any potential or future impact this will have on office locations and other elements if you are selected to interview. This work remains of high importance to the civil service, and we thank you for your continued interest.

Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5-years’ UK residency in the past 5-years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

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 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.

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

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; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.

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.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

Feedback

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