JOB DESCRIPTION

POST TITLE: Senior Fraud Investigator

GRADE: 10
DIVISION / UNIT: Anti-Fraud and Internal Audit
DEPARTMENT: Finance
REPORTS TO: Fraud Team Manager

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

To assist the Anti-Fraud Team Manager as directed to conduct investigations and

contribute to the reduction of fraud in the council through detection, prevention and
investigative measures, thereby identifying loss of council funds and protecting the
council’s assets, and recovery of criminal assets subject to Proceeds of Crime legislation.
Lead on a portfolio of more complex reactive and proactive counter fraud work.

This will include:

 Assisting in the provision of expert analysis and advice, to aid the strategic decision
making process.
 Providing high quality information and appropriate advice to relevant staff and
senior officers.
 Promoting fraud awareness across the council.
 Contributing towards achievement of corporate and departmental goals in terms of
maintaining Investors in People accreditation, good management practice, meeting
financial targets and promoting the professional image of the finance function.

Assisting in the supervision, mentoring, coaching and development of other team members.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Make a positive contribution to the delivery of the service, this will include working flexibly
and positively to achieve the objectives of the council. Leading on reactive investigations
and proactive operational projects.

2. To demonstrate a deep understanding of fraud techniques and methods, knowledge of

all legislative and policy frameworks that impact on the delivery of the Council’s counter
fraud function.

3. Investigate and maintain case files to a high quality standard ensuring that all
documentation and evidence are kept securely.

4. Present cases to the fraud manager, including concise summaries and reports of findings
from the investigation. Select and recommend further action in line with the council’s
prosecution/sanction policies.

5. Prepare recommended prosecution cases to the appropriate legal team within the
prescribed timeframes.

6. Act as a SME (Subject Matter Expert) in multiple fraud risk areas with all work activity
focused on establishing a strong anti-fraud culture across the Council and externally.

7. To assist in the running of the service through preparation of papers, attend and present
cases/evidence to the decision maker as required, preparation and submission of
performance management returns.

8. Assist in organisation and delivery of fraud awareness training programme to internal

and external stakeholders to promote an anti-fraud culture.

9. Use initiative and judgement in managing workload within agreed timescales.

10. Conduct initial review of data and responding to enquires on reactive and proactive
fraud investigations, including those resulting from the National Fraud initiative.

11. Undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade and level of work as reasonably
required by managers.

12. Support the development of team members through coaching, mentoring etc.

13. Contribute to the National Fraud Initiative reviews of data matches.

JOB CONTEXT / REPORTING TO:

The Councils Corporate Anti-Fraud Team provide a professional service that supports the
responsibilities of the Councils section 151 officer (strategic director of finance and
governance) and in carrying out their duties, enables him to fulfil the statutory
requirements for anti-fraud and internal audit.
The Corporate Anti-Fraud Team provide a strategic lead on anti-fraud within the Council.
Managing the overall provision and returns for the National Fraud Initiative.

The Anti-Fraud and Internal Audit Service also provide a strategic lead for the internal
audit providing an annual opinion on adequacy of the overall control framework for the
Council’s financial systems to help enhance control, manage risk and prevent and detect
fraud.

The council is committed to continuously improving the quality of finance services, in line
with its core objectives. Finance (including anti-fraud and internal audit) staff are
responsible for ensuring that such initiatives are implemented successfully.

The post holder is to carry out the duties of the post in compliance within the council’s
code of conduct (staff), fraud policy guidelines, national professional guidelines, statutory
codes of practices and legislative framework for criminal investigations.

The post will report to the Corporate Anti-Fraud Team manager.

The individual will be in regular contact with officers within the team and colleagues across
the Council to request information in relation to investigations and processing of financial
transactions. The post holder will also liaise regularly with diverse contacts including the
following:
 Southwark general public by phone and face to face
 Other Southwark Council departments
 External agencies such as the DWP, Cabinet Office for the National Fraud Initiative
etc.

All staff are responsible for ensuring all services are implemented in a manner consistent
with the Council’s commitment to Equality and Diversity.

The post holder will also be involved in monitoring the work undertaken by staff of external
departments, temporary staff and contractors. This will vary depending on the number and
range of specific projects currently being managed on behalf of the Council.

Financial Responsibilities:

The post holder will have no financial responsibility but will assist in the administration
associated with the annual finance and governance budget and Council- wide budget

Grade/Conditions of Service:

The employment is subject to a probationary period of twenty six weeks from your start
date of employment with Southwark Council, during which time you will be required to
demonstrate to the council’s satisfaction your suitability for the position in which you are
employed.

Governed by NJC conditions of service (as operated by Southwark),

Contractual hours: 36 hours. Monday to Friday.

 PERSON SPECIFICATION
The person specification is a picture of skills, knowledge and experience required to carry
out the job.

Essential How
(E) assessed
Knowledge, including educational qualifications: (S/ I/ T)

E S/I
 Holds Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist (ACFS),
Government Counter Fraud Professionalism –
Investigator (GCFP), Advanced Professional
Certificate in Investigative Practice -Level 7 (APCIP)
or equivalent.
 Working knowledge of the law and codes of E I
practices in relation to their lead investigations area.
E I
 Demonstrable understanding of Public Sector
developments in anti-fraud solutions, to enhance
business performance and anti-fraud processes.
E I
 Detailed knowledge of relevant legislative
requirements including but not limited to; PACE,
CPIA, RIPA, DPA, HRA, Fraud Act, Theft Act, Social
Security Acts, Prevention of Social Housing Fraud
Act, Housing Act and statutes concerning the range
of offences committed by those perpetrating fraud
against local government.

Experience:
E S/I
 Relevant experience working in an anti-fraud role
E S/I
 Significant experience of conducting criminal
investigations to prosecution standard
 Experience in delivering fraud performance to E S/I
national and local standards and targets
 Effective application of a computerised investigation E I
case management system.
 Effective use of ICT applications in a workplace E I
 Proven experience of multi-tasking and of successfully E I
managing a diverse portfolio of activities.
 Experience and knowledge of the use of Information E I
Communication Technology

Aptitudes, Skills & Competencies:

 Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in E I
writing.
 Ability to co-ordinate, plan and prioritise the workload E S/I
and meet deadlines when faced with conflicting
priorities.
  Effective interpersonal skills, tact, diplomacy and E I
listening skills to enable development of working
relationships with customers, colleagues and all
stakeholders
 Ability to work independently and within teams to meet E I
targets and deadlines
 Ability to provide a customer focused service. E I

 Ability to use computer systems including word E I

processing, spreadsheets and databases for
correspondence, reports and performance monitoring.
 Ability to deal with complex queries whilst ensuring E I
good attention to details to resolve issues that arise
 Effective investigative skills, which utilise all available E I
avenues to resolve cases successfully.
 Numeracy and literacy skills commensurate with the E T
grade

Special Conditions of Recruitment:

Comply with and promote the Council’s Equal opportunities policy
A satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required

Key: E Essential S Shortlisting criteria

I Evaluated at interview
T Subject to test