Senior Operational Policy Adviser

The Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA) is responsible for holding departments and arms-length bodies to account for their handling of fraud in the public sector. The PSFA is at the centre of government and leads work across government and public bodies to improve the prevention, detection and recovery of fraud. It was launched on the 3rd August 2022 following an increased focus in government on tackling fraud. The PSFA is outcome and performance driven, offers a depth and breadth of expertise and works jointly with HM Treasury. 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 Public Authorities Fraud Investigation and Enforcement Service (PAFIES) is the PSFA team dedicated to taking action against fraud occurring in any central government department or public authority. We assess intelligence and disseminate it for action, develop cases, and undertake fraud investigations to the civil and criminal standards. We use Proceeds of Crime Act powers, and will have access to Police and Criminal Evidence Act search and production powers, Investigatory Powers Act telecoms data powers, and bespoke information gathering and civil penalty powers as legislated for in the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error & Recovery) Act 2025 (PAFER). This is an exciting time to be a part of something entirely new in government, and make a real difference in the fight against fraud.

We are seeking motivated project deliverers to help land the implementation of the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act 2025 as part of the PAFIES Operational Policy team. The Act provides law enforcement powers for PAFIESt to tackle fraud against the UK central government public authorities in England and Wales, including the ‘COVID Hit Squad’ announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in September 2025.

The implementation programme to operationalise the Act is now in full swing. The post holders will lead on development and implementation of a range of projects, covering key areas of the Act’s powers and functions, and Enforcement and Intelligence practice. Implementation projects may cover a number of business areas, including:

• Information Powers
• Civil Penalties
• PACE Search and Seizure
• Debt Management
• Oversight
• Operational Policy Design
• Guidance & Consultation

The successful candidate does not need to be experienced in any of these business areas, but should be able to pick up new business and quickly become a trusted expert able to deliver outcomes to a high standard, embedding new powers and functions and ensuring that policies and processes are in place to ensure their lawful use.

The roles offer considerable development opportunities for ambitious and thoughtful future leaders who want to do something new which they can own and deliver with autonomy. Candidates do not need to have an investigation or law enforcement background, although that would be an advantage, but should be experienced in leading implementation, developing guidance, and project management.

Responsibilities:

• Deliver projects and support the overall programme of PAFER 2025 implementation.
• Own and develop policy, process and guidance.
• Collaborate with policy and enforcement teams on delivery of Enforcement & Intelligence policy areas.
• Developing stakeholder relationships to build effective partnerships and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders necessary to ensure delivery.
• The role will require occasional travel to PSFA locations. This may include overnight stays.

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 and Experience.

Application process

After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Verbal Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application.

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 11/10/2026. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

You will then need to submit a personal statement (no more than 500 words) linked to the essential criteria in the advert & a CV

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the personal statement.

Selection process

At the interview stage you will be required to answer question on the behaviours listed below.

• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Expected timeline

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

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.

Further Information

A reserve list may 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; for further information visit the Childcare Choices 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 that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 10 years' UK residency in the past 10 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.

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.

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

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.

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

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