National Fraud Initiative (NFI) - NFI Business Development Lead

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 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 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 HM Treasury (HMT) to tackle fraud in the public sector.

Job description

The National Fraud Initiative (NFI) team is a remote/virtual team that sits within the PSFA Data and Analytics function. Team members are spread across the UK. We are looking for a full time member of staff, but alternative working patterns may be considered. We can be flexible about the location of the post holder, but there will be a requirement to be flexible with regard to working hours and with travel as you will be required to attend meetings across the UK, with the majority being in Stoke on Trent, London, York, Newcastle, Glasgow and Manchester.

Structurally the NFI team is made up of the Operational Delivery (OD) Team and Business Development (BD) Team. The objectives of the BD Team are to: design and deliver strategies and a work programme to counter both existing and new fraud, work in collaboration with organisations across the public and private sector, and to innovate the way in which data is used.

Please note that the PSFA (including the NFI) will imminently be moving from the Cabinet Office to the Department for Work and Pensions but will remain sponsored by HMT.

The post holder will be responsible for supporting and managing specific aspects of the NFI’s Business Development strategy and work programme, managing the relationships with key external stakeholders and promoting the uptake of new products and services to existing and new participants.

Candidates should have strong project management skills with the ability to manage competing demands and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

As a member of the NFI Business Development team the post holder will be responsible for the areas below. There may be occasions where the post holder is required to undertake other work to support the NFI team or the wider PSFA:

Operational delivery through:

• Development of plans for specific projects and tracking progress against these using project management techniques;
• Coordinating the work of participating organisations to ensure that outcomes from NFI are maximised including analysing and interpreting progress through the production of performance metrics;
• Promoting and encouraging the timely identification and recording of risks and issues, working collaboratively with the owners to define appropriate mitigating actions;
• Oversight of high quality communications at all levels across a diverse client portfolio including the preparation and delivery of workshops and presentations about the NFI;
• Analysing, summarising and presenting information about the outcomes of the NFI for internal and external audiences;
• Contributing to the continued development of the work programme including taking ownership of the development of products and services ensuring high quality outputs.

Development of products and services:

• Helping to develop products that are fit for purpose;
• Helping to develop and deliver comprehensive commercial strategies to promote the use of the NFI solutions on an ongoing rather than a cyclical basis;
• Building new, and strengthening existing relationships with clients both public and private sector;
• Working with stakeholders to analyse fraud risks and help develop pilot proposals to prevent/detect the targeted risk
• Maximising the benefits to users of products and services;
• Helping the team to more fully understand the needs of users;
• Helping monitor and measure the impact of delivery against the agreed targets.

Data Acquisition:

• Helping to identify and secure access to additional data (participants and 3rd party) that can improve NFI products and services;
• Working with participants and stakeholders to evaluate the options for, and benefits of, more regular data feeds into the NFI;
• Working with participants, particularly local councils, to develop and utilise products such as the NFI FraudHub;
• Developing relationships with established regional counter fraud hubs to enable utilisation of data for mutual benefits; and

Use of new technologies:

• Bringing increased user configurability into the NFI web application to enable users to link the NFI to local counter fraud strategies;
• Enhancing the existing NFI data matching techniques to improve accuracy and quality;
• Evaluating how new technologies, such as machine learning, data analytics, visualisation tools and network analysis, could add value to the NFI fraud prevention and detection capability;
• Working with participants, stakeholders, system suppliers and representative bodies to develop automated exchanges between the NFI system and participants.

Person specification

Essential criteria:

• Counter-Fraud & Data Experience: Experience working within a counter-fraud or data environment, supported by a strong understanding of fraud prevention and detection techniques.
• Business Development & Product Strategy: Proven experience in business development, commercial strategy, or product ownership—specifically translating stakeholder feedback and pilot proposals into fit-for-purpose solutions.
• Stakeholder Enagement & Communication: Outstanding communication and influencing skills, with a track record of building and managing relationships across a diverse portfolio of public and private sector partners.
• Project Management & Delivery: Excellent project and risk management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outcomes under tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Data Governance & GDPR: Sound knowledge of data governance frameworks and GDPR compliance, particularly as they apply to data sharing and data matching initiatives.
• Analysis & Data Handling: Strong data handling and analytical skills, including the ability to interpret complex issues, understand data quality, and present performance metrics (utilising Google Suite/MS Excel).
• Autonomy & Innovation: A curious and innovative approach to problem-solving, with the ability to work autonomously while contributing to a wider team.

Desirable criteria:

• Emerging Technologies: Familiarity with evaluating and applying new technologies (such as machine learning, network analysis, data visualisation, or automated APIs) to improve operational capabilities.
• Collaborative Tools & Environments: Experience working as part of a remote or virtual team, and familiarity with collaboration tools like Jira.

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.

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:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service

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

Please submit a CV and Statement of Suitability (1000 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):

• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service

Applications will be sifted on Statement of Suitability and the behaviours – Communicating and Influencing, Changing and Improving, Working Together and Managing a Quality Service.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift will be conducted using the lead behaviour, Communicating and Influencing. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to interview.

Selection process

Interviews will consist of behaviour and experience based questions.

Behaviours to be tested at interview will be:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service

Interview location - TBC. Interviews will likely be conducted remotely via Google Meet (formerly known as Hangouts), however we reserve the right to request that the interviews be conducted in person and if so, these would take place in Stoke on Trent.

Expected timeline

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.

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.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

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

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 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 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.

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

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 Terms and Conditions - External 2025-02-20 (2) Opens in new window (docx, 94kB)Cabinet Office Employee Offer (2) Opens in new window (pdf, 302kB)