Service: Location: Job Title: Grade: SCP 37 40 Post No.: Reports to: Job Description Corporate Anti Fraud Team North London Business park Fraud Investigation Officer Counter Fraud Manager The Future Shape of the Council is Barnet s programme to redesign the council in order to meet increasing local and national challenges and opportunities, implementing any agreed changes. 1. Purpose of Job: To investigate and prevent Fraud and Corruption within or against Barnet including Housing Benefit and Council Tax benefit fraud in order to protect public funds. To investigate other potential fraudulent claims that become apparent. Investigations will involve working alone for much of the time, conducting taped interviews in accordance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, visiting individuals at their homes. The post holder will be expected to handle cases with tact and initiative. They will be expected to be able to control a diverse case load and deal with changing prioritising as directed by their manager. He/She will need an investigative mind and must be able to persevere in the investigation of complex cases. The perpetrators of fraud should be expected to be difficult and obstructive. 2. Key accountabilities: The post holder will be expected to have an excellent working knowledge of and be able to investigate all cases within the guidelines as set out by the Criminal Procedure s and Investigations Act 1996, Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 Human Rights Act 2000 and Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and disciplinary procedures. The post holder will be expected to facilitate the prosecution of offenders by gathering evidence and preparing cases for prosecution in accordance with the Fraud Act 2006 and the Social Security Act s 1992 and 1997 and the Theft Act 1968. He/She will be accountable for all decisions made during the course of investigations and may have to justify their actions in a court of law or appeal hearing. He/She will be expected to act in conjunction with and liaise frequently with the crown prosecution service, legal services, department of work and pensions, home office and immigration service and other council officers in relation to prosecutions and investigations, taking into consideration the outcome of any such investigations may have significant implications on the service and on the Council as a whole. The post holder will be expected to attend court, to represent the London borough of Barnet in fraud trials and to provide Crown and Magistrates Court evidence packs for other agencies. He/She will be expected to promote Fraud awareness within the Authority but in particular within those areas of the council responsible for handling claims benefit, grants submitted to the Council. This will involve the discussing of individual claims, providing advice on matters of principle, outlining circumstances in which frauds could be perpetrated etc. Presenting focused sessions and preparing presentations.
Have an excellent working knowledge of policies and procedures and liaise frequently both in person and through email, telephone and correspondence with other government agencies e.g. keeping abreast of their relationship with authorities especially in the area of fraud prevention and investigation. The ability to reach conclusions, which are logical and sustainable from the evidence, provided. To be able to make decisions / recommendations on each investigation taking into account the impact of any such decisions / recommendation and that it may lead to prosecution. Visit and interview claimants and other persons ensuring regard at all times to sensitivity, support and confidentiality to each individual, make contemporaneous notes and obtain written statements to a prosecution standard for possible use in court proceedings. To conduct surveillance operations on persons suspected of offences in accordance with Human Right s Act and Regulations of Investigatory Powers Act. Taking Part in surveillance operations often involves exposure to all weather conditions, and occasionally unpleasant surroundings. Write full reports and make recommendations to the appropriate service taking into consideration that any such recommendations may lead to changes in current working practices or procedures. In conjunction with your manager, assess you own priorities and set yourself objectives and deadlines whilst maintaining a grip on your key priorities / accountabilities. To be responsible for dealing promptly with all mail, telephone calls, complaints and other notifications from individuals/third parties. 3. Leadership and Management: The post holder will be required to liaise with other bodies and other external agencies e.g. letting agencies/agents, landlords, employers, banks and building societies police, crown prosecution service, the Department of Work and Pensions, Immigration, Home Office and the Serious Fraud. This will include dealing with complex and contentious matters, situations that are not straightforward or which are accompanied by adverse profile necessitating in continuous assessment and planning. The post holder will need the ability to consider many diverse aspects at once. The post holder will need to be able to draw on wide ranging skills, specialist knowledge and advice and that may require forward planning and continuous assessment. 4. Change and Improvement: To actively consider new and innovative ways of doing things that meets the needs of internal and external customers in a way that influences effectively. To undertake special tasks and assignments as directed and provide advice or reports as required. These reports may include recommendations that may lead to the setting or working standards or changes in current practices. To keep abreast of the service/technical developments relevant to the duties and responsibilities of the post. 5. Staff Responsibilities: As directed by the Fraud Manager undertake the role of mentor to new or junior members of the team in order to develop their skills, abilities and knowledge. 6. Financial Responsibilities: To be responsible to achieve any personal targets as set by the manager. Page 2 of 5
To be responsible for all equipment issued to you for the use of your duties, this may include mobile phones, laptop computers, photographic and video equipment. 7. Health and Safety Responsibilities: It is essential to note that visiting often exposes the officer to dirty / difficult or unpleasant conditions. It is therefore essential that you comply with the investigations team procedures on visiting in any such instances. 8. Other Responsibilities: To be honest and above reproach in all dealings, displaying the highest quality standards of professionalism at all times, maintaining complete confidentiality. To help promote a strong and positive image of the Corporate Anti Fraud Team underpinned by adherence to the law and best practice. To conduct investigations with confidentially in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, and fairness and compliance with all procedures and relevant legislation. In order to discharge the following duties it is essential that the post holder holds a current driving licence and has the use of a motor vehicle at all times, as he/she will be visiting premises across and outside the borough. A regular (weekly) amount of early morning, unsociable hours work is also be required. There is always an element of risk associated with this type of work. The post holder must take all practical steps to ensure that the level of risk to which he/she/other staff are exposed is minimised. The guidelines covering risk at work must be followed at all times. All staff within the Corporate Anti Fraud Team are subject to regular scrutiny checks including, Criminal records, financial probity, Council Tax/Rent payments, and Credit reference agencies. All staff within the Investigation Team are required to sign a Code of Conduct to cover specific issues relating to investigation work, this is in addition to the Barnet Code. The post holder will be expected to present a professional appearance at all times. 9. Promotion of Corporate Values To ensure that customer care is maintained to the agreed standards according to the council s values. To ensure that a high level of confidentiality is maintained in all aspects of work. 10. Flexibility In order to deliver the service effectively, a degree of flexibility is needed and the post-holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above. Such duties, however, will fall within the scope of the post, at the appropriate grade. 11. The Council s Commitment to Equality To deliver the council s commitment to equality of opportunity in the provision of services. All staff are expected to promote equality in the work place and in the services the council delivers. To ensure services provided for young people are accessible to all members of the community and reflect the London Borough of Barnet Equal Opportunities Policy. Page 3 of 5
PERSON SPECIFICATION Service: Location: Job Title: Corporate Anti Fraud Team North London Business Park Fraud Investigation Officer Grade: SCP 37-40 Post No.: Reports to: Counter Fraud Manager Essential Qualifications required Type Professional qualifications/memberships Education Level required The post holder is expected to have the DWP Professional in security (PINS) 7 module foundation and the PINS Management qualification or equivalent qualification. The post holder will be expected to have practical knowledge of fraud investigations. Technical / Knowledge Requirements Type IT skills Description Possess practical experience of the use of Microsoft office and different benefit and fraud management computer systems and databases to collect and record information. Maintaining management statistics accurately. Demonstrate experience of using various IT skills and systems as an investigative tool. Project Management Behavioural Competencies Competency Communicating and influencing Respecting others Key to role Be able to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders and members of the public via telephone, fax, letters, memos, e-mail and face. To be honest and above reproach in all dealings, displaying the highest quality standards of professionalism at all times, maintaining complete confidentiality. Page 4 of 5
Striving for excellence Setting direction Managing performance Developing talent Cross Barnet working External partnership working The post holder will be expected to have and maintain an excellent working knowledge of and be able to investigate all cases within the guidelines as set out by the Criminal Procedure s and Investigations Act 1996, Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, Human Rights Act 2000 and Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. The post holder will be expected to have an in-depth working knowledge of fraud investigations, to ensure that they investigate all cases within the guidelines as set out by the Fraud Act 2006, Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, Social Security1992, 1997 and 2001, hts Act 2000 and Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000; and in accordance with relevant government legislation, professional standards and leading edge techniques, underpinned by adherence to the law and best practice. Be able to manage and assess your own priorities and your by setting objectives and deadlines. As directed by the Fraud Manager undertake the role of mentor to new or junior members of the team in order to develop their skills, abilities and knowledge. He/She will be expected to promote Fraud awareness within the Authority but in particular within those areas of the council responsible for handling claims benefit, grants submitted to the Council. This will involve the discussing of individual claims, providing advice on matters of principle, outlining circumstances in which frauds could be perpetrated etc. Presenting focused sessions and preparing presentations The post holder will be required to liaise with other bodies and other external agencies e.g. letting agencies/agents, landlords, employers, banks and building societies police, crown prosecution service, the Department of Work and Pensions, Immigration, Home Office and the Serious Fraud. Page 5 of 5