Surveillance Leader

About this role

Details

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

Type of role

Investigation

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Number of jobs available

1

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 in our society. Counter Fraud Compliance and Debt’s (CFCD) aim is 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 DWP’s 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

As a CFCD Covert Surveillance Team Leader you will

• Ensure organisational effectiveness by providing leadership to drive the smooth running of all operations including the cohesive teamwork of people, development and implementation of agreed processes.
• Regularly deploy on surveillance operations, promoting continuous professional development through undertaking regular reviews of skills to ensure team members are complying with relevant training and agreed practice.
• Create an environment that promotes people engagement in the team, supports a culture where coaching and a team-based approach are at the heart of the team.
• Operate as part of a team focussed on agreed goals and priorities to achieve collective commitments, effectively managing resources in an ever-changing organisational structure to drive efficiencies and keep costs down.
• Manage your team in taking forward tasking requests. Ensuring all surveillance activity provides value for money, is compliant with legal requirements, such as Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, The Police Act 1997 & Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act 1996, and in accordance with Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office recommendations as well as Departmental requirements.
• On occasions, lead the activities of the Surveillance Team, as an OIC (Officer in Charge), providing direction to the team as the dynamic and evolving circumstances demand and to achieve the operational objectives.
• Undertake Risk assessments.
• Manage your team in producing evidential packages to a high standard that are professional and accurate. Including, writing/obtaining witness statements to evidence witnessed activities, exhibit evidence obtained, including editing and compiling video/audio evidence and to account for the continuity of exhibits including preparing disclosure schedules in accordance with legislation.
• Ensure you adhere strictly to the DWP’s surveillance standards, and general instructions set out in the Fraud Procedures / Instructions Manual, and other user manuals and follow the processes to ensure people comply with the legal and policy requirements.
• Undertake and successfully complete a demanding suite of learning events to support you in undertaking this role. These events are assessed and successful completion is required for this role. Please also note some of these events may be residential.
• Promote professional standards at all times.
• As required, appear as a witness in court.
• On occasions, actively participate in surveillance operations, often requiring regular attendance in unsocial hours and travel.

Due to the nature of this role occasional travel and overnight stays may be required.

Person specification

Key criteria

• A confident, inspirational, driven leader. Able to take charge of situations and provide direction to the team to achieve results.
• Able to work effectively as part of a team. Fostering an environment of inclusivity and respect.
• Be proactive in developing and maintaining positive and professional working relationships with a variety of people and organisations.
• Able to interpret and work within set rules and processes in an ever-changing environment.
• Able to make effective decisions in a pressurised environment with a focus on value for money.
• A focus on customer service. Ability to place the customer at the heart of all we do.

It is essential that a Covert Surveillance Team Leader undertakes the whole suite of learning that a Covert Surveillance Officer undertakes and therefore the below applies:

• Candidates must hold a current full driving licence for manual vehicles. Officers are expected to drive the full range of vehicles covered by a full driving licence.
• The role requires a good level of fitness. Officers need to be able to walk significant distances at varying paces and for prolonged periods.
• The role requires good vision/observational skills. Officers are required to observe activities and describe these as they happen whilst also remembering details in environments where it may be difficult to make notes.
• The role requires a good level of hearing. Officers are required to wear covert audio equipment as well as take verbal information/instruction from multiple sources.
• Must be flexible as you may be required to deploy at short notice. This may involve working unsocial hours and may on occasion require you to stay away from home.

Essential Criteria

• Recent experience of leading team-based surveillance or Investigations (within the last 18 months).

Learning Requirements

An accredited Surveillance qualification is desirable but not essential and will not form part of the sift criteria.

Successful candidates will be required to complete a demanding suite of learning. Some of these events are residential and may require you to be away from home (excluding weekends) for 2 weeks. They are also assessed events that require you to pass them to undertake this role.

Successful candidates must be willing to attain the mandatory learning as follows:

• RoSPA (Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents) Defensive driving L2.
• Foot surveillance tactics.
• Mobile surveillance tactics.

These qualifications are essential to undertake the technical functions of the role.

Please Note - Successful appointments to this role will be subject to completion of the above learning. Failure to comply or failure to achieve the required level to pass the courses may be dealt with under disciplinary or poor performance procedures and may lead to termination of the employment contract or exceptionally, redeployment into another DWP role.

Government Counter Fraud Profession (GCFP)

The DWP is committed to investing in people and ensuring their teams are a professional workforce. It is a requirement of counter fraud post holders within DWP to attain, and retain, membership of the Government Counter Fraud Profession (GCFP) at Practitioner level. This means if you are successful in applying for this role you will need to undertake an annual self-assessment to evidence your knowledge, skills, and experience within your role to attain and retain practitioner level membership. We provide post holders with a learning routeway to support them in achieving as well as any workplace adjustments they may require. Failure to attain membership of the GCFP at practitioner level may result in DWP seeking an alternative role for you.

In applying you will have indicated that you have read and fully understood the professional requirements for this Counter Fraud Officer role.

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