Fraud Investigation Officer – AR

Carrington Blake Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An esteemed recruitment firm in the Greater London area is seeking a Fraud Investigation Officer to drive investigations into potential fraud and support the development of anti-fraud strategies. The successful candidate will conduct authoritative investigations, collaborate with law enforcement, and ensure compliance with legislative requirements. This role requires significant experience in investigations, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. An exciting opportunity to make a notable impact in a crucial area of public service awaits you.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Flexible working hours

Qualifications

• Experience of significant investigations in an anti-fraud context.
• Ability to lead and undertake internal disciplinary investigations.
• Experience of proactive counter-fraud projects.

Responsibilities

• Conduct civil and criminal investigations into potential fraud.
• Prepare and document formal investigation interviews.
• Maintain case files to a high standard.

Skills

Investigation skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Knowledge of fraud legislation

Education

Counter fraud qualification

Tools

MS Office (Word, Excel)

Job description

Job Profile

Position Details Job title (HOUSING) Fraud Investigation Officer Directorate Finance Business Unit Audit and Risk Management Reports to Deputy Head of Audit and Risk Management Grade Indicative PO2 / PO3

Role Purpose

Demonstrate a strong anti‑fraud culture in the organisation and undertake civil and criminal investigations to relevant professional standards and keep up to date with best practice and relevant legislation. To plan and undertake pro‑active counter‑fraud projects; and investigations into allegations of fraud and corruption of varying nature and complexity, fully complying with legislative requirements governing the conduct of investigations and Council policies and procedures. To fully engage in the development and delivery and to participate in education, training and awareness activities, as part of the counter‑fraud programme. To provide advice and guidance to Team Leaders and Housing Officers regarding suspected fraud cases. To support management to improve the control environment so that it prevents and deters fraud from occurring. To initiate and maintain liaison with police and other law enforcement agencies, other external agencies, legal services and prosecuting Counsel where appropriate.

Main Responsibilities

• Have an excellent working knowledge of and be able to investigate all cases within the guidelines as set out by relevant legislation and guidance, including the following key statutory and local procedures: Theft Act 1968; Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act 1996; Social Security Fraud [Administrative] Act 1992; Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984; Human Rights Act 2000; Fraud Act 2006; Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000; Protection of Freedoms Act 2012; Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013; Proceeds of Crime; The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 and internal disciplinary procedures.
• Carry out civil and criminal investigations into potential fraud and irregularity. Conduct a varied and potentially complex caseload, with minimal supervision and to agreed timescales, including undertaking individual fraud investigations and specific counter‑fraud projects. Take the lead in respective case conferences/reviews with officers and external agencies, as required, to negotiate an agreed approach and successfully conclude and report on the investigation. This includes:
  • To act as the Officer in Charge and fulfil the role of the Investigation Officer and Disclosure Officer;
  • To prepare, undertake and document formal investigation interviews of managers, witnesses and suspects, including conducting interviews under caution where appropriate;
  • Investigation case files maintained to a high‑quality standard ensuring that all documentation and evidence such as Interview Under Caution recordings are kept securely so that security is not compromised;
  • To participate in joint investigations including working with the police, and other relevant external bodies as required;
  • To analyse findings and prepare good quality reports based upon information gathered during an investigation. Provide professional and succinct end of investigation reports that can be presented to all levels of the management structure within the council, recommending appropriate management or sanction action;
  • Ensure the duties of the post are carried out in compliance within the council’s code of conduct and internal policies, fraud policy guidelines and procedures, national professional standards, statutory codes of practices and legislative framework for criminal investigations and to ethical standards and the Nolan principles; and
  • To lead on checks in relation to Money Laundering, and where necessary, involve other service areas and assistance of Financial Investigators to progress cases.
• Visit and interview employers; benefit/other claimants; tenants and leaseholders; landlords and letting agencies; financial institutions; and other persons at Council, residential and employment premises ensuring due regard at all times to sensitivity, support and confidentiality to each individual and information. Make contemporaneous notes and obtain written statements to a prosecution standard for possible use in court proceedings. Understand and able to follow guidelines to ensure compliance with statutory Data Protection requirements.
• Act in conjunction and liaise with the Council’s legal services; Crown Prosecution Service; Department for Work and Pensions; Home Office; immigration services; Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs; and other Council officers in relation to prosecutions and investigations. Ensure that service and line managers are kept fully briefed at agreed stages throughout the investigation process. This includes:
  • To plan, deliver and conclude investigations efficiently and cost effectively and contribute to the achievement of key performance indicators for the service, demonstrating the value of the service though recovery of assets and resources, and savings from frauds prevented;
  • Case files contain appropriate and relevant evidence to support the case and case details are all maintained on the anti‑fraud case management system; and
  • To take initiative to prioritise and manage own workload, working flexibly, to ensure assignments are progressed promptly, meeting internal and external deadlines and turnaround target times, and report to the Deputy Head of Audit and Risk Management and / or the Head of Service where potential variations & issues may arise.
• Carry out specific pro‑active counter‑fraud projects, under the direction of an identified manager, as part of the Corporate Anti‑Fraud Team’s (CAFT) annual Counter‑Fraud Work Plan, or as required by the Head of Tenancy Management in order to provide assurance to senior management on the effectiveness of existing systems and controls. Offer timely and practical recommendations to managers to address risks where the project identifies control weaknesses or gaps. Provide appropriate reports and feedback for service management throughout the review. This includes:
  • Cases successfully presented to the stakeholders concise summaries and reports that list findings from the investigation in a timely manner;
  • To recommend cases for prosecution and civil cases for recovery and present to the appropriate legal team within the prescribed timeframes;
  • To recommend further action in line with the council’s prosecution/sanction policies;
  • To ensure that relevant authorities and stakeholders are regularly kept up to date and informed of case progression and of case outcomes;
  • To ensure that all relevant documentation is present at case closure including witness statements; and
  • To ensure case files are of high quality for presentation at disciplinary, tribunal, appeals or court hearings.
• Promote Fraud awareness within the Council, either as part of completing specific counter‑fraud projects, or as part of a general programme of fraud awareness managed by Audit and Risk Management. This may involve discussing individual benefit/other claims for assistance; providing advice on matters of principle; and outlining circumstances in which frauds could be perpetrated. Monitoring fraud trends and the development of suitable methods of deterring and detecting fraud in those areas.
• Assist in the review and development of working practices and operational procedures/guidance notes within Tenancy Management and Audit and Risk Management, on an ongoing basis; including a sound knowledge and understanding of relevant IT issues to enable the post holder to use existing IT technology; and test and implement new counter‑fraud methodologies and technology, ensuring the service complies with statutory and Council requirements.
• Ensure all information relating to individual investigations is recorded accurately on the Corporate Anti‑Fraud case management IT system, in accordance with agreed timescales. Produce any required management information for publication as part of the service’s performance management, Audit Committee, or service management requirements. Ensure that the management information is accurate and produced to required timescales.
• To be responsible for dealing promptly with all mail, telephone calls, complaints and other notifications from individuals/third parties in accordance with agreed Council service and customer care standards.
• To work outside of normal office hours, the normal office environment and out of borough where necessary to fulfil the responsibilities of the post. Understand and able to follow guidelines to ensure compliance with statutory Health and Safety requirements. Ensure that all required risk assessments and relevant health and safety assessments are completed, communicated to respective managers and team members and complied with at all times during investigations.

Generic Responsibilities

• Understanding, knowledge and ability to follow guidelines that ensures compliance with Health and Safety at Work, Data Protection and other statutory requirements.
• Understanding and commitment to promoting and implementing the Council’s Equal Opportunities policies.
• Knowledge and experience of using IT.
• To undertake any other temporary responsibilities aligned with the overall purpose and grade of the role.
• To take responsibility for own personal and professional development, identifying training and developmental needs as they arise as well as undertaking such training.
• Participate fully in the performance appraisal and supervision processes, to ensure priorities and objectives are agreed and reviewed in accordance with Council timescales. Meet set targets to agreed competencies and deadlines. To take responsibility for individual training and development needs as agreed with the line manager.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Abilities/Experiences

• Evidence of significant investigation and/or risk‑based audit experience (preferably local government Housing based), and providing advice and feedback to managers on risks and controls; able to identify risks and control weaknesses and provide appropriate advice and guidance to managers and other team members when recommending improvements in processes and/or systems.
• Experience of undertaking and leading on internal disciplinary investigations and investigations leading to the prosecution of offenders. Appear as the lead case officer for Council in external meetings and hearing including Member appeals, Employment Tribunals and prosecution court hearings.
• Experience of undertaking pro‑active counter‑fraud projects, including setting objectives, obtaining stakeholder agreement, making recommendations for improved management control and/or delivering savings.
• Able to prioritise a complex workload and carry out investigations and projects in accordance with required professional standards and Council policy, procedures and timescales. Able to deal with contentious and confidential issues, while having an awareness of Council and other relevant government or external policies and be able to communicate this to stakeholders in a relevant format and to an appropriate level.
• Ability to work as part of a motivated and effective team, willing to supervise colleagues and other staff on specific projects as required.
• Experience of using and keeping accurate records of investigations on the team’s case management systems; information technology techniques for the interrogation of computerised records; and MS Office products including Word and Excel.
• Experience of working with external partners, the police and other relevant enforcement agencies, legal advisors and HM Courts and Tribunals Service.
• Excellent time management, organisation and prioritisation skills to be able to prioritise competing tasks and deadlines whilst maintaining professional standards under pressure.
• Able to be flexible and adapt when dealing with other outside/internal agencies with differing work practices / legislative frameworks.

Knowledge/Skills

• Full knowledge and understanding of the Council’s Constitution, Financial and Procurement Procedure Rules, and Disciplinary Code of Conduct and other HR policies and competency in English and mathematics; strong numeracy skills, including the ability to analyse and interpret data.
• Full knowledge of relevant legislation relating to the investigation and prosecution of various fraud activity e.g. tenancy fraud, right to buy, procurement fraud, blue badge fraud, council tax fraud etc with detailed knowledge and experience of presenting evidence and cases in a court of law, tribunal, and internal disciplinary hearings. Considerable proven experience of working in an anti‑fraud environment and the investigation, prosecution and redress of all types of fraud, corruption and irregularities facing local government.
• Proven ability to communicate well, both orally and in writing, with people at all levels of the organisation with experience of writing accurate and concise investigations reports that are clear, concise, focussed and tailored for the intended audience.
• Understanding and appreciation of the importance of confidentiality and to work effectively to potentially conflicting deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Managing conflicting work priorities and achieving challenging targets and ability to work effectively to potentially conflicting deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Full knowledge of legislation and guidance relating to accessing and dealing with confidential and restricted personal and financial information, including RIPA, Protection of Freedoms Act, Data Protection Act, Money Laundering and Anti‑Bribery, Social Security Acts and Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act.
• Take a proactive approach to identifying, applying and communicating new technical knowledge and legislative issues across the team; ensures agreed practices are incorporated and embedded in operational processes. Experience of embedding an anti‑fraud culture within a public sector organisation, including delivering training and awareness workshops.

Qualifications

• Commitment to training for, or possession of, fraud investigation or other professional qualification. Hold or actively working towards a counter fraud qualification (i.e. the Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist or the CIPFA Certificate of Investigations Practice or the IIA certificate in Internal Audit).

Other

Visit a wide range of locations within the Borough and across London and potentially other areas across the UK, attend meetings (including case/project briefings, arrest and searches with the police, interviews) which may occur outside of the normal working day and work outside normal office hours, including weekends, on occasions.

Main Contacts & Other Information

• Deputy Head of Audit and Risk Management
• Head of Audit & Risk Management
• Director of Finance
• Head of Tenancy Management
• Tenancy Services Managers
• Tenancy Services Team Leader
• Legal Services Officers
• Other Local Authorities
• Cabinet Office (including National Fraud Initiative)
• Government Offices and departments, including DWP, Home Office
• Local, regional and national police services
• Suppliers and residents