Head of Independent Reviewer’s Unit

Job summary

The Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA) is a fast-paced delivery and operational team that is responsible for holding departments and arms-length bodies to account for their handling of fraud in the public sector. The Authority writes the standards for counter fraud work across government and holds 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

The PSFA was launched on the 3rd August 2022 following an increased focus in government on tackling fraud. It succeeded the Government Counter Fraud Function (GCFF) in the Cabinet Office. The PSFA is at the centre of this function and leads work across government and public bodies to improve the prevention, detection and recovery of fraud. 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.

In December 2025 the PAFER Act received Royal Assent. This establishes a new Independent Reviewer who will review and report on the PSFA’s use of the enforcement powers under PAFER i.e., the investigation of suspected fraud against public authorities; recovering relevant amounts in respect of a public authority’s losses; and taking enforcement action in connection with fraud against public authorities. The Independent Reviewer’s Unit will support the Independent Reviewer in their work.

This role will lead the Independent Reviewer’s Unit that provides support to the Independent Reviewer in their appointment, priorities, reports, recommendations and relationships. It will require a highly credible candidate who is able to work effectively with the Independent Reviewer, the PSFA’s Enforcement Unit, Ministers and Parliament.

This is a high-profile role with emphasis on senior leadership, technical expertise and the ability to flex. You will have a high level of autonomy and need to work closely with the Independent Reviewer and the leadership of the PSFA

You will lead a small team (yourself and 1 grade 7). This team may expand or change if the Enforcement Unit expands or changes in future to remain proportionate to the scale of operations.

Job description

Responsibilities

• Design, lead and manage the plan of activity and strategy with agreement from the Independent Reviewer, organising their work, advising them on both subject matter and themes for their attention and supporting them in advancing their priorities.
• Support the Independent Reviewer so they are able to be as effective as possible in their work.
• Work with the Independent Reviewer to Build effective relationships with the PSFA’s Enforcement Unit and support the Independent Reviewer in agreeing and maintaining effective ways of working with the Enforcement Unit.
• Lead the work to deliver the reviews the Independent Reviewer wishes to progress, progressing analysis, drawing on evidence, providing the Independent Reviewer with objective advice and supporting them to reach conclusions and recommendations.
• Monitor and ensure the delivery of the Independent Reviewer’s recommendations
• Lead the drafting of the Independent Reviewer’s reports and support the Independent Reviewer in their accountability to Ministers and Parliament
• Manage the processes to appoint Independent Reviewers, ensuring the process strictly follows the Code of Practice for Public Appointments and is highly credible to Ministers, Parliament and the public
• In the period before the initial Independent Reviewer is appointed, support other activities to implement the PAFER legislation
• Manage staff ensuring they are able to deliver with a strong focus on development of self and staff with the ability to get the best in a high-pressured changing environment
• Contribute to the wider PSFA and Cabinet Office as part of a corporate objective

Person specification

Person Specification

Essential criteria

• Experienced at working with stakeholders across government to agree collaborative activity including at a senior and/ ministerial level, be able to build relationships even in challenging environments.
• Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to build and maintain high-level relationships with senior leaders, Ministers, and Parliament with credibility.
• Relevant Expertise: Significant experience in either supporting high-profile individuals through objective advice and relationship building OR technical expertise in the lawful and safe application of investigatory powers.
• Building new processes: Experience of developing, designing and establishing new products, processes and services
• Analytical Leadership: Ability to lead reviews, synthesize evidence, and conduct analysis to help the Independent Reviewer reach sound, evidence-based conclusions and recommendations.
• Communication: Exceptional drafting skills with the ability to produce reports that are clear, persuasive, and suitable for scrutiny by government and the public.
• Delivery & Monitoring: Strong project management skills to oversee the implementation of recommendations and ensure the unit’s priorities are delivered effectively and on schedule.
• People Leadership: Experience leading and managing teams including across locations to deliver against outcomes and objectives.

Desirable criteria

To ensure the appropriate skills are within the Independent Reviewer’s Unit, the candidate will need to have significant experience in either:

• Working closely with senior people to shape and support their work, providing them with objective advice and supporting them in building effective relationships including with Ministers and Parliament

Or

• The effective, lawful and safe use of investigatory powers, including the professional structures (e.g., training) required to use them effectively

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
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

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

• In-tray exercise

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £69,308, Cabinet Office contributes £20,078 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 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, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Verbal Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application.

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 14/06/2026. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

Please note: Our online test supplier will be performing scheduled maintenance between 4 p.m., and 7 p.m., on 07/06/2026. You will be unable to access tests during this period.

If you are in the middle of a test when the maintenance begins, your progress will be paused. You will be able to resume your test from where you left off via your application centre once the downtime has ended. Please note that you will not be able to launch any new tests while the system is offline.

Application process

You will be required to submit a a personal statement (no more that 750 words) and CV.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Please align your personal statement to the essential criteria in the person specification in the advert.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the personal statement.Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Selection process

There will be two interviews.

The first will be virtual and based on the behaviours in the advert.

- Leadership- Communicating and influencing- Working together- Delivering at pace

The second interview will be held in person and will be based on the behaviours in the advert, strength based questions and an in tray exercise.

- Leadership- Communicating and influencing- Working together- Delivering at pace

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date – TBD

Expected interview date/s – TBD

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. 1st interview: Virtual, 2nd interview: In person

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 cabinetoffice.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 an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Further information

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

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 that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need [5 years’] UK residency in the past [5 years]. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

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

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

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.

Feedback

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).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 : Jamie Morley
• Email : jamie.morley@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)