Strategy and Business Analytics Lead – National Fraud Initiative

Job summary

The Public Sector Fraud Authority is at the cutting edge of the government’s response to tackling fraud against the public sector and builds on the internationally recognised reputation of the Counter Fraud Function as a world-leader in tackling fraud and corruption in the public sector.

Fraud represents a cost to the government which is estimated at £33.2bn - £58.8bn per year. At PSFA, we play an instrumental role in spearheading the Government's response to fraud by developing innovative policies and initiatives to counter this threat with the mission of funnelling real, tangible financial benefits back to the public.

In pursuing this goal, we utilise a network that spans across public and private sectors. Serving as the foremost experts in public sector fraud, PSFA affords those who work with us unrivalled access to Ministers in an area that is rapidly rising to the forefront of the Government’s agenda. With an ever-expanding remit in an arena of growing ministerial priority, now is a truly exciting time to join a team that has an impact throughout the machinery of government.

This is an exciting role as Strategy and Business Analytics Lead, as part of the NFI team. The role is pivotal in ensuring that the PSFA meets its commitments to deliver counter-fraud outcomes through data sharing and analytics. The successful candidate will demonstrate a deep, practitioner-level understanding of counter-fraud methodologies and be capable of applying these across complex data-sharing landscapes.

Job description

The NFI team manages and delivers the NFI data matching service. This service includes a national data matching exercise to identify fraud and error across a range of public sector datasets, and data pilots to test the effectiveness of processing new and different types of data for fraud.

The team works as part of the PSFA’s wider fraud data services team. Structurally, the NFI team is made up of the Operational Delivery (OD) Team and Business Development (BD) Team. This role offers flexibility in location, with a requirement to attend face-to-face meetings across the UK at least 5-10 times per year. This includes Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester, Birmingham and other regional hubs.

The Strategy and Business Analytics Lead will be one of four G7s in the NFI team. The post holder will contribute to the leadership of the NFI and the wellbeing and development of the NFI team. This role will involve line management of at least three other team members.

• Lead on the NFI savings assurance process and audit including engagement with relevant oversight boards and auditors. Manage the review and auditing of reported savings including oversight of the evidence based methodologies used to determine estimated preventative and detected savings for NFI matching. Represent the NFI on the Savings Assurance Board and Prevention Panel as a subject matter expert. Maintain a close working relationship with the NFI BD team, acting as a key link so the boundary between Business Development and Operational Delivery research is clearly defined;
• Lead on delivery of the commercial modelling and framework for NFI (with associated income of £1.5 million - £2 million per year) including designing competitive fee scales/models, delivery of the statutory consultation for the proposed fee scales, working with PSFA colleagues, legal experts and other stakeholders to secure ministerial approval for both pre and post consultation proposals;
• Lead the development and implementation of the National Fraud Initiative strategy and monitoring activity against the strategy, working with NFI G6’s, the wider PSFA, Audit Scotland, Audit Wales and the Northern Ireland Audit Office;
• Coordinate the research and development of pilot data match opportunities, utilising existing datasets (managed by the Operational Delivery team), to support the overall NFI pilot pipeline, and act as a bridge to facilitate the transition of successful pilots into sustainable business as usual (BAU) operational delivery.
• Shape and deliver the NFI external stakeholder and user engagement strategies with and through the team and lead on the production of the NFI biennial report;
• Manage the delivery of data analytics for the NFI including overseeing the collating, monitoring and reporting of fraud and error outcomes;
• Work with the PSFA policy team as the policy and legislation lead for the NFI, to further the NFI strategy and requirements across policy and legislation including any future revisions to the Code of Data Matching Practice;
• Represent the NFI as part of the PSFA across Government to deliver on the NFI strategy and support the counter-fraud and data in counter fraud agendas; and
• Support the wider NFI - including governance, reporting, recruitment and learning and development.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading on the development and implementation of the National Fraud Initiative strategy. Monitoring activity against the strategy and reporting the outcomes internally. Working with the rest of PSFA, Audit Scotland, Audit Wales and the Northern Ireland Audit Office to ensure strategies are aligned
• Leading on the design of robust competitive fee scales and fee models for around 1,000 NFI customers. This requires consideration of operational costs, profit margins and value for money. These fee scales form the basis of the NFI work programme and scale of fees. You will work with the Deputy Director for Data and Analytics, Head of the NFI, legal experts and other PSFA colleagues to secure ministerial approval to consult on the work programme and scale of fees, analyse the consultation responses and conclude the consultation with publication.
• Overseeing the NFI data analytics and reporting of outcomes from the NFI’s data matching exercises. This involves carrying out quality and assurance checks on the data that is extracted to ensure accurate figures are presented for internal reporting. Data analytics underpin the outcomes maximisation strategy, ensuring the Operational Delivery Team meets its outcomes target.
• Overseeing the robust assurance processes, as the NFI analyses and reports are subject to internal and external scrutiny. Where actual outcomes are not available this post leads on research and developing evidence based methodologies to determine estimated preventative and detected savings. These are presented for approval by senior leaders and cross government experts.
• In addition to these core responsibilities, the post holder will be expected to support the NFI leadership team on ad-hoc strategic tasks and cross-cutting commissions arising across the full spectrum of the NFI’s business activities.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Strategic Leadership & Policy: Proven track record in developing and implementing complex strategies and leading on policy/legislation, specifically within a counter-fraud or public sector integrity context. You must demonstrate success in monitoring performance against organisational goals and working with legal teams to ensure compliance and strategic alignment.
• Commercial & Financial Modelling: Expertise in designing robust commercial frameworks and fee models for large-scale public sector services. You must demonstrate experience in developing competitive fee scales that account for operational costs, profit margins, and value for money, and in securing ministerial approval for such models.
• Data Analytics & Counter-Fraud Methodology: Strong data handling and analytical capabilities with proven experience in a counter-fraud or data-matching environment. You must have experience overseeing data quality, designing evidence-based research programmes, and establishing defensible methodologies for savings assurance that withstand internal and external audit scrutiny.
• Governance & Regulatory Compliance: Proven experience in designing and implementing governance frameworks, specifically within a public sector or data-handling context. You must demonstrate a solid understanding of data governance, GDPR compliance, and how these apply to complex data-sharing or counter-fraud programmes.
• Stakeholder Management & Governance: Proven ability to navigate complex political and audit landscapes. You must have experience engaging with senior leaders, Ministers, and cross-government stakeholders (such as Audit Scotland/Wales/NI) to build consensus, manage risk, and represent the organisation as a subject matter expert.
• Operational Delivery & Leadership: Ability to manage varied, high-pressure priorities autonomously and lead teams effectively. This includes overseeing research programmes, managing communications, and driving team development in a fast-paced environment.

Note: Experience of working with Google (Mail, Sheets, Drive, etc.) and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) is also required.

Desirable criteria

• A background in designing and / or delivering policy change;
• Project management experience / skills or qualifications
• Experience of working on commercial projects
• Experience of managing/working in a virtual team

The successful candidate must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security check needed is CTC.

Please note that the PSFA (including the National Fraud Initiative) will imminently be moving from the Cabinet Office to the Department for Work and Pensions.

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:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

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

• technical capability to be tested

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £59,207, Cabinet Office contributes £17,152 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, Experience and Technical skills.

Application process

Please submit a CV and Statement of Suitability demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria.

Your Statement of Suitability should include answers to the questions set out below and should be submitted as a single document, using no more than 1,250 words in total.

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

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

Questions

1. Strategy & Regulatory Alignment

Scenario:You are leading a cross-jurisdictional data-matching initiative. Key oversight bodies express conflicting views: one flags data protection concerns while the other views the proposal as a critical modernisation step.

Question:How would you navigate this regulatory friction to build consensus while minimising risk to project timelines? Detail the specific influencing strategies you would use with key stakeholders and the governance framework you would establish to maintain long-term compliance.

2. Methodological Assurance & Risk Management

Scenario: You are preparing an annual savings report and discover an unexpected variance in a key "preventative savings" metric due to a dataset issue.

Question: How do you handle this? Explain your escalation and resolution process, including how you validated the methodology with senior stakeholders and the long-term assurance standards you set to prevent recurrence.

3. Strategic Delivery & Team Management

Scenario: You are managing an SEO delivering a critical workstream when you receive an urgent, high-priority commission that threatens the core delivery schedule.

Question: How do you balance these competing demands? Describe your decision-making process for managing capacity and wellbeing, and provide a concrete example of how you managed senior stakeholder expectations to protect core delivery objectives.

Applications that do not fully meet these requirements will not be progressed.

Selection process

Your technical capability will be tested at the interview - the details together with further guidance will be provided in advance of your interview. The following behaviours will also be tested at interview:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

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.

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

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

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.

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

Please note that this role requires CTC clearance, which would normally need 3 years’ UK residency in the past 3 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 be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter

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.

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

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

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 basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist 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 : 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 Opens in new window (docx, 83kB)Cabinet Office Employee Offer (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 302kB)