56753 - Head of Operations, Counter Fraud and Intelligence

The national salary range is £50,427 - £59,000, London salary range is £54,274 - £63,500. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
1
12 Months
East Midlands, East of England, London, North East, North West, South East, South West, Wales, Yorkshire and the Humber
Brighton and Hove , Bristol , Cambridge , Cardiff , Jarrow , Leeds , Liverpool , London, Manchester , Nottingham
102 PETTY FRANCE LONDON, SW1H 9AJ, LEGAL AID AGENCY CAMBRIDGE, CB2 8DR, LIVERPOOL THE CAPITAL LAA LIVERPOOL, L3 9PP, NOTTINGHAM FOTHERGILL HOUSE LAA NOTTINGHAM, NG1 2AS, SOUTH TYNESIDE BERKELY WAY LAA JARROW, NE31 1SF, 5 WELLINGTON PLACE LEEDS, LS1 4AP, LAA Brighton, BN2 9QA, LAA Store Street, Piccadilly Gate, FLR 7, M1 2WD , LAA Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, BS1 6DG, LAA William Morgan House FLR11, CF10 1EP
Grade 7
Grade 7
Permanent
Full Time, Part Time, Flexible Working
Operational Delivery

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

Job Title

Head of Counter Fraud & Investigations

Contract Type

Permanent

Grade

Grade 7

Salary range (depending on location):

£50,427 - £59,000 (National)

£54,274 - £63,500 (London)

Your salary will be dependent on your base location

Location

Any LAA regional office

Directorate

Contract Management & Assurance

Team

Counter Fraud & Investigations

Working Pattern

The post is supported by the MOJ flexible working policy and includes colleagues who work flexibly, remotely, part time or as part of a job share etc.

Reporting to

Head of Contract Management & Assurance

Closing date for applications

16th May 2022

The Legal Aid Agency

We are an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). We provide civil and criminal legal aid and advice in England and Wales to help people deal with their legal problems. 

Our people are at the heart of achieving excellence. Employing around 1,200 colleagues across England and Wales, we feel proud to have some of the best People Survey results in the Civil Service.

Our LAA commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

The LAA is committed to diversity and inclusion and we positively promote flexible working, including job shares.

We will consider all applications on merit regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, religion, ethnicity, preferred working pattern and except for exceptional circumstances your working location.

As a Disability Confident organisation, we will offer a guaranteed interview to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for this role. Under the Equality Act 2010 a disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities which has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months.

If you are responding to a role within the Legal Aid Agency and would like to be considered under the guaranteed interview, please ensure that you attach the Disability Confident Scheme Form when you return your application. You can use the same form to let the recruiting manager know of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the sift or later selection processes.

Directorate Name

The Contract Management and Assurance team within LAA manages the contractual relationship with several thousand providers and delivers regularity monitoring and quality assurance on the £1.5bn Legal Aid fund.

Team Name

The Counter Fraud Investigations (CFI) team has responsibility for developing intelligence to investigate fraudulent activity against the LAA and the Legal Aid fund; the two primary areas of focus being Provider and Client based fraud. The team works with partners internally and externally to take appropriate enforcement and / or regulatory action against those committing fraud and to support the recovery of funds; examples of external partners being Solicitors Regulation Authority, DWP, HMRC and Police.

Job Summary

The Head of Counter Fraud and Investigations leads on the overall counter fraud strategy for the LAA, and operationally oversees fraud investigations. The role works closely with the Ministry of Justice Counter Fraud Centre of Expertise.

Reporting to the LAA Deputy Director Head of Contract Management and Assurance, this role provides leadership to the Counter Fraud Investigations (CFI) team, comprised of nine people across different geographical locations. The role provides an assurance and advisory function to the LAA executive leadership team against the threat of fraud, bribery, and corruption to the LAA.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Leading the organisational focus on counter fraud including training and awareness, driving and implementing cross-organisational counter fraud measures and post event assurance.
  • Provide transformational leadership to the team and beyond – inspiring colleagues through difficult situations, transforming performance and building high performing teams. Development of capabilities, including the prevention of fraud risk.
  • Responsibility for ensuring compliance against the Government Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Standard (GovS 013).
  • Working with change programmes and projects to design out fraud risks; identify relevant risks, control issues and opportunities to implement designs that reduce the risk of fraud bribery and corruption.
  • Build and maintain effective relationships with other investigative bodies, e.g. wider MOJ and other Govt. Departments seeking opportunities for Joint working, National Crime Agency (NCA), RART (Regional Asset Recovery Team), Police, CPS, Local Authorities and HMRC.
  • Utilise effective relationships with stakeholders and partners to shape policy, operations and capability development.
  • Maintain a clear and coherent intelligence picture of the threat to inform our investigations.
  • Exploit a range of data sources to proactively identify and respond to threat.
  • Advise and support on the direction of complex investigations, and establish routes for resolution through misconduct, contractual, civil and criminal routes and advise on asset recovery.
  • Appropriate escalation of issues and contribution to responses to requests for information (including requests for cross government reporting, FOI, audit committee meetings and complaints) accurately and timeously.
  • Membership of the LAA’s Senior Leadership Group representing Contract Management and Assurance across committees and groups related to fraud, bribery, and corruption.

Essential Knowledge, Experience and skills

  • Counter Fraud Specialist, Member of Government Counter Fraud Profession or Recognised Equivalent Accreditation

Desirable Knowledge, Experience and skills

Person Specification

  • You are self-assured and lead from the front. 
  • You maintain your own drive and determination and inspire your team to do the same.
  • You adapt well and have the capacity to recover quickly from the challenges of working in this national role.
  • You have confidence in your judgement and hold yourself accountable for your decisions
  • You work collaboratively with both internal and external colleagues, quickly building reliable networks.
  • You quickly respond to requests for your input from varying sources, delivering successful outcomes.
  • You are adept at delivering complex information, communicating effectively both verbally and in writing.

Assessment approach

Application Process

At the application stage you will be assessed on your technical knowledge, experience and behaviours through a CV and Statement of suitability (limited to 1000 words) based on the following behaviours.

  • Leadership
  • Changing & Improving
  • Working Together
  • Delivering at Pace

If we get a large number of applications, the sift will be done on your technical knowledge and experience and the lead behaviour which is: Leadership

Interview / assessment Process

If you are successful through the application stage, you will be invited to an interview / assessment centre where you will be assessed as follows:

  • A presentation and an interview via Microsoft Teams, to assess your strengths and the above behaviours.

Shortlisting is planned for week commencing 16th May 2022

Interviews are planned for week commencing 6th June 2022

If you would like more information on this opportunity, please contact – David Thomas – david.thomas@justice.gov.uk

EOI – Please send your applications to – LAACentralRecruitmentFunction@justice.gov.uk

Complaints procedure

If you have any complaints about this recruitment activity, please share your concerns by emailing LAAPeopleTeam@justice.gov.uk initially. We aim to respond to any complaint within 10 working days.

If you are dissatisfied with our response, we will forward your complaint to the Civil Service Commission, an independent body, for review.

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on UKor Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

Expected 6th June 2022

16/05/2022, 23:55 hours.

If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com Please quote the job reference - 56753.

To apply for roles in MOJ you will need to confirm your employment history for at least 3 years prior to the date of application so that pre-employment checks (BPSS) can be undertaken. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years) you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why. 

For some roles you will be required to successfully complete National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorism (CTC), Security Clearance (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) level as a condition of appointment. To meet CTC/SC/DV requirements you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3/5/10 years prior to the date of application (The level of checks that are required are stated in the advert).

If you do not meet the above requirements, you may still be considered if, for example:

  • You've been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government
  • You were studying abroad
  • You were living overseas with parents

In such cases you will need to be able to provide referee cover for the period(s) of residence overseas. The duration of overseas residence and the country of abode will also be taken into account.

Success Profiles will enable a fairer and more inclusive method of recruitment by enabling us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical/professional skills required for different roles. This flexible approach to recruitment focuses more on finding the right candidate for the specific role. To find out more about Success Profiles to support your application please click here for further guidance.

In the event that we receive a large volume of applications we reserve the right to conduct the sift based on one lead behaviour. The chosen lead behaviour for this campaign is Leadership.
if you feel that your application has not been treated in line with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance

We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.


Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
Leadership - 250 word limit
Experience
CV
Statement of Suitability - 1000 word limit
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Leadership, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.

Interview stage assessments

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.
Abilities
Presentation
Behaviours
Leadership
Changing and Improving
Working Together
Delivering at Pace
Strengths may also be assessed at interview but these are not shared in advance.
Additional Assessment(s)
Presentation

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

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) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families

· 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) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

This Vacancy is closed to applications.