Covert Surveillance Team Leader

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP); England; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the UK seeks a Covert Surveillance Team Leader to manage surveillance operations aimed at uncovering welfare fraud. The role includes leading a team, assessing risks, and ensuring compliance with legal requirements. Candidates must possess relevant accreditations and a full driving licence. This full-time position involves flexible hours, including unsocial hours and travel. The agency offers competitive benefits, including salary and annual leave.

Benefits

Competitive salary plus pension contribution

Generous annual leave

Work-life balance support

Financial & wellbeing support

Inclusive environment with professional networks

Qualifications

• Full current driving licence for manual vehicles.
• Experience leading team‑based surveillance or investigative operations.
• Good level of fitness and ability to travel during unsocial hours.

Responsibilities

• Lead the team to ensure organisational effectiveness.
• Deploy on surveillance operations and manage tasking requests.
• Conduct risk assessments and develop evidential packages.

Skills

Leadership in team-based operations

Surveillance tactics

Effective communication

Risk assessment

Legal compliance

Education

Counter Fraud Investigator Apprenticeship (CFIA)

Accredited Counter Fraud Investigations Program (ACFIP)

NCA accreditation in Financial Investigations

Job description

Covert Surveillance Team Leader – Department for Work and Pensions

Join DWP’s Counter Fraud & Conspiracy (CFCD) Covert Surveillance Team as a Team Leader driving operational excellence in surveillance operations to uncover fraud within the welfare system. This role is based outside normal office hours and requires flexibility and a high level of fitness.

Responsibilities

• Lead the team to ensure organisational effectiveness, smooth operations and cohesive teamwork.
• Deploy on surveillance operations, conduct regular reviews of skills and training.
• Create a supportive, engagement‑driven culture and coach team members.
• Manage resources and tasking requests to achieve collective commitments while keeping costs down.
• Ensure all surveillance activities comply with legal requirements – e.g., RIPA 2000, Police Act 1997, Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 – and internal standards.
• Act as Officer in Charge (OIC) when required, directing operations in evolving circumstances.
• Perform risk assessments and develop evidential packages, writing witness statements, compiling video/audio evidence and preparing disclosure schedules.
• Adhere to DWP’s surveillance standards and Fraud Procedures / Instructions Manual.
• Complete the mandatory learning programme and attend residential training sessions where required.
• Promote professional standards at all times and serve as a court witness when called.
• Participate in surveillance operations, often unsocial hours and travel; overnight stays may be required.

Qualifications and Experience

• Full current driving licence for manual vehicles.
• Minimum of one of the following accreditations – Counter Fraud Investigator Apprenticeship (CFIA), Accredited Counter Fraud Investigations Program (ACFIP), NCA accreditation in Financial Investigations, or equivalent such as PiNS or PIP2.
• Experience leading team‑based surveillance or investigative operations.
• Good level of fitness, vision, hearing and ability to travel unsocial hours.
• Willingness to complete all required learning – RoSPA Defensive Driving L2, Foot Surveillance Tactics, Mobile Surveillance Tactics, and other court‑required events.

Learning and Development

• Full suite of court‑required learning events, including residential courses.
• Mandatory training in RoSPA Defensive Driving L2, Foot and Mobile Surveillance Tactics.

Working Hours and Conditions

• Full‑time 37‑hour week with flexible hours between 7:45 am–8:00 pm Monday‑Friday and 8:45 am–5:00 pm Saturday.
• Unsocial and weekend work, including overnight stays.
• Travel as required.

Benefits

• Competitive salary plus pension contribution.
• Generous annual leave (23 days at entry, increases up to 30).
• Work‑life balance support – flexible, part‑time, term‑time, job sharing options.
• Financial & wellbeing support – interest‑free travel loans, employee discounts, counselling.
• Inclusive environment with professional networks.

To apply, submit your CV, cover letter and evidence of required accreditations via the Civil Service Jobs portal. Successful candidates will undergo a criminal record check and, if selected, a pre‑employment screening with the Internal Fraud Database.