Counter Fraud - Business Development and Operations Manager

Job summary

The Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA) is responsible for holding departments and arms-length bodies to account for their handling of fraud in the public sector. The Authority will write the standards for counter fraud work across government and hold public bodies to account against these. Working in the PSFA offers access to a wide range of stakeholders across government and the opportunity to work with various sectors in a high profile policy area with high media, parliamentary and ministerial interest.

The Team

As well as being part of the PSFA, a new authority established in 2022, you will also be part of the Government Counter Fraud Function (GCFF). The PSFA is at the centre of this function but a role in this team will make you part of a Counter Fraud Function that spans government and has members in all departments, at all levels, in all sectors. The PSFA is outcome and performance driven, offers a depth and breadth of expertise and works jointly with HMT to tackle fraud in the public sector.

The PSFA, whilst sitting within the Cabinet Office, reports jointly to the Cabinet Office and Treasury Ministers. Maintaining close working relationships with HMT colleagues is key to ensure the PSFA can deliver its mandate effectively. The PSFA is a team of c.140 staff members with locations across the country – including Manchester, York, Glasgow and London. As a result, hybrid working is fully embraced and teams are encouraged to collaborate in the various Cabinet Office Hubs around the country.

Job description

The Team

As well as being part of the PSFA, a new authority established in 2022, you will also be part of the Government Counter Fraud Function (GCFF). The PSFA is at the centre of this function but a role in this team will make you part of a Counter Fraud Function that spans government and has members in all departments, at all levels, in all sectors. The PSFA is outcome and performance driven, offers a depth and breadth of expertise and works jointly with HMT to tackle fraud in the public sector.

The PSFA, whilst sitting within the Cabinet Office, reports jointly to the Cabinet Office and Treasury Ministers. Maintaining close working relationships with HMT colleagues is key to ensure the PSFA can deliver its mandate effectively. The PSFA is a team of c.140 staff members with locations across the country – including Manchester, York, Glasgow and London. As a result, hybrid working is fully embraced and teams are encouraged to collaborate in the various Cabinet Office Hubs around the country.

Within that team, the Digital Economy Act (271) Debt and Fraud Data Sharing Secretariat, promotes and facilitates debt and fraud data sharing across the public sector and private entities through the DEA gateway. The Team readily and actively collaborates with bodies to manage & reduce debt and to combat fraud. From conception, scoping to delivery the Team provides expert advice including legislative and data governance support, pilot design and delivery, governance and management of Ministerial permissions/sign offs and further into business as usual.

Working at the heart of counter-fraud and data sharing work within Government, you will be responsible for setting and leading the strategic direction of the Digital Economy Act Team’s counter-fraud work (and by proxy, its associated debt work). In this role, you will undertake research and produce outcomes based upon these findings to further enhance and strengthen the counter-fraud data-sharing work cross-Government, linking these with the connected debt work of the Digital Economy Act team. At the same time, you will project manage resultant pilots, act as Secretariat to the Digital Economy Act Review Board and produce Ministerial Submissions to gain approval for the launching of counter-fraud data sharing pilots. The role also requires an understanding of the Government's Debt Fairness Charter relating to the management and debt recovery and management.

A key aspect of this role also relates to identifying the benefits and outcomes of completed Digital Economy Act pilots and employing this evidence to gain buy-in and resource allocation among data-sharing bodies to move those data-sharing provisions into business-as-usual. Through these tasks, you will influence the decision-making of senior leaders cross-Government and the Private Sector.

The role is a challenging one with a high level of exposure and responsibility across both the public and private sector and is a unique opportunity to understand the full scope of Government counter-fraud and debt landscape and counter fraud data-sharing in a complex and evolving department.

You will be expected to work independently and represent the Public Sector Fraud Authority both inside and outside of the Cabinet Office. Communicating, including public speaking, with impact, nuance and sensitivity - both orally and in writing - will be essential. You’ll quickly build and maintain strong relationships with the offices of senior Civil Servants and other senior digital and technology professionals, as well as other stakeholders, balancing and mitigating tensions and dependencies across a wide audience in order to deliver. Therefore, you will need excellent interpersonal skills, an ability to delineate/present complicated and nuanced findings and be comfortable interacting with and influencing senior officials and stakeholders from inside and outside Government.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Stakeholder Engagement:

• Working alongside senior leaders to shape, drive, and implement the strategic direction for the Digital Economy Team's counter-fraud and debt recovery management work.
• Lead proactive outreach and engagement strategies with a broad range of public sector organisations to increase awareness and uptake of the DEA data-sharing powers
• Linking the Digital Economy Team’s counter-fraud work with its debt recovery and management work in a coherent and iterative/agile way. Liaising and negotiating with HMT’s Government Debt Management Function (GDMF) on debt related data sharing.

Pipeline Management & Negotiation:

• Provide expert consultancy to potential partners during the initial scoping phase, negotiating complex information-sharing requirements to ensure alignment with both PSFA / GDMF’s and departmental objectives and legislative frameworks.
• Producing, maintaining and expanding the Cabinet Office’s Digital Economy Team’s pipeline of counter-fraud pilots and contributing to the creation of debt-related pilots.
• Identifying and brokering solutions to issues raised within cross-Government counter-fraud data-sharing using the Digital Economy Act.
• Analysing pilot outcomes and performance data to build evidence-based business cases for future interventions.

Briefing & Advocacy:

• Providing accurate, timely, helpful advice and support to the Digital Economy Act Team and the wider Government Counter Fraud Function and Government Debt Management Function.
• Undertaking regular outreach and networking (e.g., conference attending) to ensure knowledge and excitement about the Digital Economy Act’s Fraud (and debt) Powers is heightened cross-Government
• Advising on issues of strategic significance in contemporary and future-planned cross-Government counter-fraud data-sharing, ensuring Cabinet Office’s strategic interests are embedded in delivery programmes across the organisation.
• Draft high-quality briefing materials and deliver persuasive presentations to senior leaders and cross-government steering groups to advocate for the value of the DEA in mitigating public sector loss.

Collaborative Partnership Working:

• Build and maintain a robust network of senior stakeholders across government, local authorities, and Arm's Length Bodies, facilitating multi-agency collaboration to deliver cross-cutting fraud and debt initiatives.
• Having oversight of various and specific areas of the Digital Economy Act Team’s counter-fraud work whilst working with and alongside the Directorate’s Senior Leadership Team responsible for those areas.

End-to-End Process Facilitation:

• Manage the transition of proposals through the governance lifecycle—from initial expression of interest to formal submission for approval—ensuring all documentation meets the required standards of public benefit and transparency.

Please note

Recruitment campaigns for the Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA) are continuing as usual, but candidates should be aware that following the Government’s announcement on the changes to some civil service departments, roles will be subject to the machinery of government move of the PSFA to DWP. We will provide more information on any potential or future impact this will have on office locations and other elements if you are selected to interview. This work remains of high importance to the civil service, and we thank you for your continued interest.

Person specification

Essential and Desirable Criteria

The following criteria outline the specific knowledge, stakeholder environment, and technical background required to perform effectively in this role.

Essential Criteria

• Communication & Translation: Ability to translate complex legislative frameworks (e.g. DEA 2017) and data governance concepts into clear, accessible advice for non-specialist and senior audiences.
• Strategic Stakeholder Engagement: Proven experience in building robust networks and negotiating consensus across central government, local authorities, and the private sector to overcome barriers to collaboration.
• Governance & Secretariat Management: Experience managing complex proposals through formal governance structures (e.g., Review Boards or Secretariats) and drafting high-quality papers or Ministerial Submissions.
• Evidence-Based Case Development: Ability to interrogate pilot outcomes, performance data, and research findings to construct compelling, evidence-based business cases for data interventions.
• Outreach & Pipeline Management: Experience leading proactive stakeholder outreach strategies and managing a pipeline of program or pilot opportunities from concept to delivery
• Central Government or Counter-Fraud Experience: Proven experience working in a central government environment or in a counter-fraud role.
• Autonomy & Delivery at Pace: Track record of driving work forward independently, managing competing priorities across multiple teams, and producing high-quality briefing materials under tight deadlines.

Desirable Criteria

• Debt Recovery Context: Understanding of the Government's Debt Fairness Charter and the wider public sector debt recovery and management landscape.
• Agile Delivery: Experience working in a fast-paced environment utilising agile or iterative project management methodologies

Additional information:

Cabinet Office policy is that a minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. For some roles, due to their nature and the business need, this may be up to 100%. Requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £45,292, Cabinet Office contributes £13,121 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).

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and employer contributions of 28.97%.
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.

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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Application process

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a personal statement and Behaviour statements. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Please submit a Statement of Suitability (750 words max) demonstrating how you meet the Essential Criteria (and Desirable where appropriate) and what you will bring to this critical and fast paced role.

Please also provide examples of the following behaviours (250 words max each):

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions

Applications will be sifted on Statement of Suitability and the 4 behaviours.

If we receive a high volume of applications, we may sift on the Statement of Suitability and lead behaviour only (Leadership). Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Selection process
At the interview you will be assessed on the below behaviours.

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions

Interview location - Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for an interview.

Expected timeline TBD
Expected sift date – TBD
Expected interview date/s – TBD
Interview location - Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via CabinetOfficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Cabinet Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

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)
• 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)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Ricky Reed-Killick
• Email : ricky.reed-killick1@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service by email at : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at info@csc.gov.uk. For further information on the Recruitment Principles and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/.

Attachments

Cabinet Office Employee Offer Opens in new window (pdf, 302kB)Cabinet Office Terms and Conditions - External 2025-02-20 Opens in new window (docx, 83kB)