About this role
Details
Inner London
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
Job grade
Higher Executive Officer
Business area
DWP - Counter Fraud, Compliance and Debt - Investigations
Type of role
Investigation
Operational Delivery
Working pattern
Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
Number of jobs available
2
Contents
- Location
- About the job
- Benefits
- Things you need to know
- Apply and further information
About the job
Job summary
Do you have an inquisitive mind? Do you enjoy engaging with customers? If so, we need you!
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for welfare, pensions and child maintenance policy and is responsible for helping people move into employment, supporting pensioners and protecting some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
Counter Fraud Compliance and Debt (CFCD) aims to drive down the level of fraud, error and debt within the benefit system, to protect the public purse.
As part of CFCD you will be at the heart of DWPs efforts to reduce fraud and error in the benefit system. This is a hugely important public service, and our challenge is bigger than ever.
If you want to join somewhere that recognises the importance of work-life balance, where you can learn new skills and progress your career, then CFCD is the place for you.
Job description
CFCD Higher Executive Officer (HEO) Investigation Team Leaders support the flexible, effective, personalised delivery of customer service, quality and performance across sites. HEO Investigation Team Leaders inspire colleagues through difficult situations, transform performance and are accountable for the effective utilisation of operational resources, delivering improved value for money and driving out inefficiencies.
Due to the nature of this role, occasional travel and overnight stays may be required. A flexible approach to working is essential and some unsociable hours may be necessary.
Key tasks include
- Directly line manage a team, provide clear, visible and strong leadership and engage with colleagues to drive high performance and quality.
- Create an inclusive team environment, embracing different individual needs, views and ideas, making it clear to all that bullying, harassment and discrimination is unacceptable.
- Motivate, develop and encourage teams, undertake regular performance reviews, undertake coaching, learning and development opportunities, and regular one-to-one meetings to develop capability and skills.
- Work with internal and external stakeholders, including local authorities, the police and HMRC, encouraging collaborative working between teams, building relationships and achieving mutually beneficial outcomes.
- Provide relevant information to colleagues regarding changes to DWP policy or CFCD operational instructions, legislation and statutory requirements as appropriate, and identify and implement best practice.
- Provide advice and direction to Investigation Officers to support the progression of investigations.
- Record, retain and review material gathered during criminal investigations to meet disclosure requirements.
- Conduct interviews under caution as per legal guidelines under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (England and Wales) and Common Law (Scotland).
- Review prosecution cases following Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and National File Standard guidance (England & Wales) and in line with Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service guidance in Scotland.
- Attend court and give evidence in criminal cases and appeal tribunals.
- Communicate confidently and professionally with internal staff and external agencies.
- Identify risks to performance achievement and drive forward continuous improvement.
- Monitor and improve the quality of the face-to-face/telephony and end-to-end customer experience, ensuring that one customer, one service, one business becomes a reality within DWP.
- Ensure all security matters (including information protection) are dealt with promptly and sensitively, in line with DWP policies and procedures.
- Use networking and influencing to create, maintain and improve service delivery for all customers.
- Support the identification of priorities and work collaboratively to ensure the delivery of both your own and others objectives.
- Promote fraud awareness across DWP and with external partners.
Person specification
What we are looking for in our Investigation Team Leaders
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
- A driven, energetic leader who is able to improve quality and consistency within our customer journey.
- Strong collaboration and negotiation skills, with experience of influencing and managing effective stakeholder relationships.
- Excellent communication, presentation and organisational skills.
- Able to innovate and make sound business decisions at pace, through creative thinking and a flexible, agile outlook and approach.
- Able to work at pace in an ambiguous and changing business landscape.
- Able to lead remotely, promote inclusivity and hold a solid understanding of equality and diversity and how they impact upon service delivery.
- A high level of emotional intelligence, honesty, integrity and a personal demeanour that inspires confidence and loyalty.
- Understanding of external factors affecting an organisation, and the ability to set the vision for your teams, with an awareness of wider, long-term aims for an organisation.
Webinar event
We will be holding a webinar event to let you know more about these roles. This will take place on 24/08/2026 between 12.30-13.30.
Please follow the link below to register for the session
Investigation Team Leader - Bromley - Webinar Link
* If the webinar page does not open, please check that pop-ups are enabled on your browser.*
Those who attend may be contacted following the event for evaluation purposes to improve our service.
Travel Requirements
This role involves travel and may require attendance at
- Briefings and operational planning meetings with external stakeholders, including Police, Lawyers, and Barristers
- Interviews conducted under Caution
- Court appearances as required
- Business and private addresses to obtain witness statements
Successful candidates must be able to travel at short notice, retrieve evidence, and be available during unsociable hoursincluding nights, weekends, and across various locations nationally. A departmental vehicle or hire car may be provided, subject to holding a full UK driving licence.
Learning Requirements
Successful candidates must be willing to undertake the mandatory Level 4 Counter Fraud Investigations Apprenticeship (CFIA) which is essential for carrying out the technical functions of the role. The apprenticeship is expected to last 18 months, and all associated training will be full-time and may require travel.
- Candidates who already hold one of the following equivalent qualifications will not be required to complete the apprenticeship:
- Accredited Counter Fraud Investigators Programme (ACFIP)
- Professionalism in Security (PinS) Accredited Counter Fraud Officer
All colleagues are required to complete any future mandatory learning relevant to their role.
Please Note - Appointments to this role will be subject to successful completion of the above learning. Failure to achieve the required level to pass the courses may result in redeployment into another DWP role (or DWP formal procedures being used which could result in termination of contract).
Government Counter Fraud Profession (GCFP)
At DWP, we are committed to developing a skilled and professional workforce. Fraud Officers are required to attain and maintain Practitioner-level membership of the Government Counter Fraud Profession (GCFP) through an annual self-assessment, demonstrating their expertise in the role. We support all post holders with structured learning pathways and workplace adjustments to help them succeed.
About investigation roles for ex-police
Investigator roles across corporate, insurance, financial and public-sector settings. Interviewing (PEACE), evidence handling, disclosure and case-file discipline are exactly what these employers struggle to hire.
See all investigation jobs in London →Why this fits a police background — match score 90/100
- Investigative interviewing
- Evidence & case files
- Financial crime & fraud
- Investigative casework
- Working to legislation & regulation
What investigation roles pay ex-police
Advertised UK ranges, editorial estimates reviewed July 2026
| Claims / junior investigator | £28,000–£38,000 |
| Corporate / counter-fraud investigator | £35,000–£48,000 |
| Senior investigator | £48,000–£65,000 |
| Investigations manager | £60,000–£85,000 |