Investigation Officer

Job summary

The Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA) is driven by its unparalleled access across government to build ‘better insights, better outcomes’ for our clients.

This role offers a strong platform for career progression within the Agency and the wider civil service, providing opportunities to develop leadership, stakeholder engagement and strategic relationship management skills across government.

The Agency’s unique access across the public sector exposes you to different risk and control environments, allowing you to gain insights, apply experience, contribute meaningfully, and continue developing professionally.

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to join GIAA’s multi-award winning Counter Fraud and Investigation team. Since 2016, the team has delivered counter fraud services to over 120 separate Government Departments, Agencies and Arm’s Length Bodies and offers an unparalleled opportunity to work collaboratively across Government to combat fraud and protect public funds.

The team provides a high quality, independent specialist counter fraud service, aligned to the Government Counter Fraud Framework and associated functional standards. To achieve this, our service offering is based on five service lines: investigation; fraud risk assessment; whistleblowing/speak up; Government GovS013 Functional Standard; and tailored counter fraud support.

Whether you’re an experienced investigator looking for a fresh challenge or looking to expand your experience, GIAA’s Investigation Officer roles could be for you.

The Investigation Officer role requires flexibility, attention to detail, a commitment to quality and a desire to deliver the best possible outcomes.

A primary objective of Counter Fraud and Investigation is to lead the Government’s response in tackling insider and third party fraud. To succeed, we continue to foster effective and collaborative working relationships with other parts of government. Successful candidates will be expected to create and nurture relationships, enabling the best response to threats and incidents across government and provide in-depth advice and guidance to senior stakeholders and GIAA customers

Role responsibilities

• Undertake investigations and/or counter fraud activities across the Public Sector, to expected quality standards, under the direction of an Investigation Manager, in line with agreed plans, timescales, budget and legislative and procedural requirements;
• Develop counter fraud policies and guidance to support investigative and strategic operations in accordance with agreed timetables;
• Engage effectively with stakeholders throughout investigations and other counter fraud activities ensuring objectives are agreed, and met, and feedback provided at key stages, leading to high quality output across all products & processes;
• Support the delivery of business objectives through publicity and marketing of Counter Fraud and Investigation services, partnering and negotiating with key stakeholder groups and by sharing of best practice with colleagues;
• Contribute to responses to requests for information (including cross government reporting, Freedom of Information requests, Audit Committee briefings and complaints) accurately and timeously;
• Contribute to continuous improvement and quality assurance across Counter Fraud and Investigation functions to improve the way it identifies problems and delivers appropriate solutions across Government organisations;
• Undertake research and analytical activities, including horizon scanning, to identify and analyse current and emerging internal and external counter fraud threats to government;
• Support the strengthening of the counter fraud response across government through fraud awareness activity and collaboration with government organisations to understand and address identified risks and weakness

Person specification

1. Undertaking investigations and/or counter fraud activities across the Public Sector, to expected quality standards, under the direction of an Investigation Manager, in line with agreed plans, timescales, budget and legislative and procedural requirements.
2. Engaging effectively with stakeholders throughout investigations and other counter fraud activities ensuring objectives are agreed, and met, and feedback provided at key stages, leading to high quality output across all products & processes.
3. Supporting the delivery of business objectives through publicity and marketing of Counter Fraud and Investigation services, partnering and negotiating with key stakeholder groups and by sharing of best practice with colleagues.
4. Contributing to continuous improvement and quality assurance across Counter Fraud and Investigation functions to improve the way it identifies problems and delivers appropriate solutions across Government organisations.
5. Undertaking research and analytical activities, including horizon scanning, to identify and analyse current and emerging internal and external counter fraud threats to government.

To apply for this role, you will need to submit your employment history, personal details and provide a statement of suitability of no more than 750 words, referring to the person specification.

Please note only your statement of suitability will be assessed at the sift stage.

Qualifications

Candidates will be required to hold the Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist (ACFS) or Accredited Counter Fraud Manager (ACFM) qualification. Applicants who hold a similar accredited investigation qualification and have relevant experience as a practitioner in another other investigative background are also encouraged to apply

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Evidence Gathering
• Investigation Management
• Interviewing and Report Writing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,168, Government Internal Audit Agency contributes £10,767 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Benefits

• Competitive salaries and in-year rewards
• Flexible working
• A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• Discount on big brands
• Volunteering days
• Season Ticket Loan and Cycle to Work Schemes
• Free eyesight tests
• Family-friendly HR policies
• 25 days’ annual leave increasing by one day per year of service to 30 days after 5 years’ service
• Geographically based Agency

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

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