Operational Leader

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP); Birmingham; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) seeks a senior leader to head the national Directed Surveillance Authority team within CFCD. You will authorise, oversee and manage surveillance activities across DWP in line with RIPA 2000, DPA, UK GDPR and CPIA, ensuring lawful and ethical practice and robust governance.

You will lead a dispersed national team, drive continuous improvement, prepare for IPCO inspections, provide expert advice on CHIS activity, and maintain surveillance records in

Qualifications

• Experience leading a national surveillance or compliance team.
• Strong knowledge of RIPA, DPA, UK GDPR, CPIA and ECHR.
• Proven ability to drive governance, quality assurance and inspections.

Responsibilities

• Lead a national Directed Surveillance Authority Team with accountability for authorisation, oversight and management of surveillance activity.
• Ensure lawful, proportionate and ethical surveillance in line with legislation and departmental requirements.
• Prepare for IPCO inspections and implement recommendations to improve compliance.
• Oversee governance activity, assurance reviews and reporting across investigation teams.
• Coach, develop colleagues and drive continuous improvement in service delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic governance

Compliance

IPCO liaison

Data protection awareness

Job description

Do you have an inquisitive mind? Do you enjoy engaging with customers? If so, we need you! The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for welfare, pensions and child maintenance policy, and is responsible for helping people move into employment, supporting pensioners and protecting some of the most vulnerable people in our society. Counter Fraud, Compliance and Debt (CFCD) aims to reduce fraud, error and debt within the benefit system, to protect the public purse. As part of CFCD, you will be at the heart of DWP's efforts to reduce fraud and error in the benefit system. This is a hugely important public service, and our challenge is greater than ever. If you want to join an organisation that recognises the importance of work-life balance, where you can develop new skills and progress your career, then CFCD is the place for you. Leading a national Directed Surveillance Authority Team, you will be responsible for the authorisation, oversight, and management of surveillance activity across DWP in accordance with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000. The role ensures compliance with legislative and regulatory frameworks, supports Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office (IPCO) inspections, and provides expert advice on covert surveillance and Covert Human Intelligence Source (CHIS) activity. You will lead and develop a national team responsible for delivering all aspects of surveillance authorisation for Serious and Organised Crime, Internal Investigations, Counter Fraud and Compliance operations, and Local Service cases. You will maintain a detailed understanding of surveillance activity, champion the CFCD quality agenda, and drive continuous improvement through robust quality assurance processes. Working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, you will provide accurate management information, support IPCO inspections, and ensure adherence to RIPA, the Data Protection Act (DPA), UK GDPR, the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act (CPIA), and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). You will also coach and develop colleagues to respond effectively to evolving criminal behaviours and emerging threats. In addition, you will act as the lead for Record Product Management and governance of DWP surveillance records, ensuring compliance across Investigation teams and maintaining effective oversight of all surveillance material in line with legislative, regulatory, and departmental requirements. What to Expect: As the leader of a nationally dispersed team, you will play a critical role in ensuring the lawful, effective, and professional delivery of DWP's Directed Surveillance Authority function. You will provide strong leadership, set clear expectations and foster a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement. You will:

• Provide leadership and optimise resources to meet performance objectives and set high standards for leadership across the business.
• Drive resource management as well as colleague engagement, wellbeing, and performance, creating an inclusive environment where individuals and teams can thrive.
• Show innovation and creativity to lead activities that support efficiencies and improvements to service delivery.
• Build individual and team capability through coaching, mentoring and development, maximising the use of professional learning opportunities and promoting a culture of continuous learning.
• Manage performance, quality, and attendance, undertaking regular one-to-one reviews, addressing risks to delivery, and ensuring workloads are effectively prioritised and managed.
• Lead internal governance activity, assurance reviews and reporting, ensuring robust oversight and compliance across all aspects of the service.
• Oversee specialist surveillance-related IT systems, ensuring data integrity, security, and compliance with legislative and departmental requirements.
• Prepare for, support and respond to Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office (IPCO) inspections, driving improvements and implementing recommendations where required.
• Ensure that surveillance activity is conducted lawfully, proportionately, and ethically, maintaining public confidence and supporting DWP's counter fraud objectives.