Details
Reference number
428013
Salary
£75,026 - £80,267
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
Job grade
Grade 6
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
DWP - Counter Fraud, Compliance and Debt
Type of role
Business Management and Improvement
Investigation
Operational Delivery
Risk Management
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
Location
Barnsley, Eston, Grimsby, Halifax, Harrogate, Houghton-le-Spring, Hull, Keighley, Leeds, Mexborough, Middlesbrough, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Peterlee, Pontefract, Pudsey, Sheffield, Wallsend, York
About the job
Job summary
CFCD is an exciting Directorate right at the heart of DWP Operations. Our directorate supports DWP to deliver its objectives by driving down Fraud, Error and Debt at source. Tackling Fraud and Error remains a priority for Government, with latest statistics showing 9.5 billion of Fraud and Error in the welfare system.
CFCD is a great place to work where the leadership team are passionate about attracting the best talent whilst nurturing and valuing new and existing colleagues to be the best they can be. We are looking for people who can demonstrate our values and commitment to leadership which are based around Collaboration, Resilience and Inclusivity. We look for emotionally aware leaders who enable teams to be innovative, adaptable and flexible. We want you to be comfortable challenging the standard and finding daring and dynamic solutions that support our values and enable colleagues to shine in whatever role they do.
Job description
This is an exciting and high-impact leadership role, responsible for Counter Fraud and Compliance (CFC) operational colleagues across North-East Operations. The operational teams include Fraud Investigations, Compliance, Enhanced Review Team, Surveillance, Campaigns, Case Preparation, Counter Fraud and Error Management System (CFEMS) Triage, NINO, and Business & Operational Support.
The post holder will lead the delivery of counter fraud activity and operational performance, while fostering a culture of inclusion, engagement, and wellbeing. With CFCD undergoing significant transformation and recruitment, your leadership will be key in helping colleagues understand and embrace the Directorate's vision and future direction.
As Regional Leader, you will:
* Lead over1200 colleagues across multiple sites and CFC functions.
* Be accountable for delivering excellent performance results and driving continuous improvement in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
* Role model exceptional leadership, working flexibly across boundaries and building capability across teams.
* Lead recruitment plans for the NE Region, alongside ensuring the best onboarding experience for new recruits.
* Develop and implement detailed plans in response to the 2025 People Survey and consider plans for engagement across new and existing colleagues, creating One Team culture
* Create and deliver a comprehensive Business Plan for the North-East Region.
* Collaborate with CFCD Regional Leaders, Functional Teams, and a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
* Build and sustain business-critical relationships with key partners.
* Leading activity to build and sustain people engagement, driving a culture where coaching and a team-based approach are at the heart of the business.
* Be a visible leader, conducting regular site visits to promote an inclusive workplace where everyone feels heard and empowered.
* Champion CFCD's transformation journey, helping colleagues understand its impact and opportunities.
* Ensure the development and wellbeing of CFCD colleagues is central to regional plans, with a strong focus on addressing bullying and harassment.
* Each Regional Leader in CFC covers a lead role for the organisation. For the NE Region currently that entails leading the Decision-Making team for CFC, driving performance improvement and consider further transformation opportunities.
Person specification
What we are looking for in our Regional Leader:
* Experience leading large, geographically dispersed operational teams.
* A track record of delivering excellent performance results across multiple functions, with a strong focus on driving productivity improvements and addressing variations in performance and quality across teams.
* Strong implementation management skills with a track record of implementing new change initiatives at pace to address emerging new fraud risks.
* Proven ability to develop and deliver people engagement strategies, driving inclusivity with measurable impact.
* Strong leadership and communication skills, especially during periods of uncertainty and change.
* A track record of building effective relationships with stakeholders beyond their immediate area of responsibility.
Key Criteria
The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate their potential and capability in the following areas:
* Demonstrate proven leadership of large-scale operational teams, with a strong commitment to inclusive practices and a passion for engaging people in meaningful change (Lead criteria)
* Demonstrate strong leadership skills and as a role model confidently and visibly lead from the front, communicating with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm.
* Have a strong track record of delivering performance and proved customer service results.
* Have a strong commitment to people engagement, empowering and developing our people to deliver a professional customer service
* Think innovatively, identifying opportunities for improvement and efficiencies at a time of significant challenge
* Develop strategic and operational relationships both within and outside of the Directorate and Department, working collaboratively with partners.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Leadership
* Seeing the Big Picture
* Communicating and Influencing
* Working Together
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £75,026, Department for Work and Pensions contributes £21,735 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:
* Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
* Generous annual leave – at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro–rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
* Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
* Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
* Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year's continuous service.
* Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
* An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women's Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
Stage 1 - Application Form
Please complete the first stage short application form, which includes your personal details, eligibility to apply and any reasonable adjustments required.
Stage 2 – Written Application and Sift
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a personal statement in no more than 1250 words detailing the relevant skills and experience you can bring to the role, based on the key criteria listed. Your personal statement needs to set out evidence of how your experience meets the requirements set out above.
When completing your personal statement, please read and understand the key criteria thoroughly, as this is what your written evidence will be assessed against. Your layout is entirely your preference; you may choose narrative, bullets, etc. You may choose to address each criteria separately, however, one narrative example may cover and evidence several key criteria. You may not be able to meet all the key criteria, but please ensure you evidence the key personal requirements, what have you done that's relatable to the requirements. You don't have to explain the whole process, just what you have done and the skills and experience you have used. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
If you do not have work-based examples then please give examples from school/college, clubs, volunteering or other activities you have been involved in.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead criteria. If so, we will sift on:
* Demonstrate proven leadership of large-scale operational teams, with a strong commitment to inclusive practices and a passion for engaging people in meaningful change.(Lead Criteria)
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to an interview.
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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
You will also be asked to complete a CV with details of your education, professional qualifications and full employment history. Your CV will not be formally assessed so please put the main evidence of your skills into your personal statement. Your CV will be used to add context to your personal statement.
If high application volumes are received, the benchmark for candidates to proceed to the next stage may be raised. In line with our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS), we aim to advance all candidates applying under the DCS who meet the minimum standard. However, we may only progress those candidates who best meet the required standards.
**Please note the closing date for your full application is 23.55 on 30/09/2025**
The sift is scheduled to be held from 06/10/2025 to 10/10/2025. These dates may be subject to change.
Stage 2 - Interview
If you pass the written application sift with the required score you will be invited to a blended interview and will receive an electronic notification to your Civil Service Jobs account.
The interviews will be conducted face to face. Where possible the interviews will take place at one or more of the locations listed in the Candidate Pack (slide 2), however candidates may be expected to travel to an alternative location as required. If you require any reasonable adjustments to attend a face-to-face interview, please ensure you state those on your application form when asked to do so.
Interviews are scheduled to take place from 03/11/2025 to 07/11/2025 please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and could be subject to change. Interviews will be scheduled Monday to Friday, between 09:00 to 17:00.
Communications will be electronic and/or by SMS/telephone therefore it is important that you check your Civil Service Jobs account regularly, as well as your spam/junk email folder. Telephone calls may show as a withheld number, it is important that you answer so that your interview can be confirmed.
If you wish to opt out of SMS messages, please email this address, including the vacancy reference and your candidate ID CFCD..GOV.UK.
As part of our commitment to improving the candidate experience, you may be contacted during the recruitment process to provide feedback.
Preparing for the interview
The interview will take approximately 45 minutes and will consist of behaviour and strength-based questions. A blended interview aims to be more of a conversation offering a more inclusive approach. The behaviour and strength-based questioning explores what you, the candidate, can and have done, but also your potential.
Behaviours
You will be assessed against the Civil Service Behaviours listed above at level 4.
An example of a behavioural question would be "How did you lead by example to inspire and motivate your teams?".
It may help to use one or more examples of a piece of work you have completed or a situation you have been in and use the WHO or STAR model to explain:
* WHO - What it was? How you approached the work/situation? What the Outcomes were, what did you achieve? or
* STAR - What was the Situation? What were the Tasks? What Action did you take? What were the Results of your actions?
Strengths
It is difficult to prepare for strength type questions. However, you can think through your answers, focus on your achievements and aspects you enjoy and decide how these can be applied in the organisation and role. While strengths questions are shorter and we do not expect a full STAR response, the panel is interested in your first reaction to the question and information or reasoning to support this.
If you do not have work-based examples then please give examples from school/college, clubs, volunteering or other activities you have been involved in.
If you withdraw your application at any stage, it will not be progressed any further.
Stage 3– offer
Once all interviews have been completed, you will be notified of the outcome by email. Offers will be made in strict merit order to the highest scoring candidate first.
The successful candidate will be notified of a start date following successful security checks, which is likely to be during December 2025/January 2026.
Please note:
* If you are offered the role you applied for, in a location you have expressed a preference for, and you decline the offer or are unable to take up post within a reasonable timeframe you will be withdrawn from the campaign and removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances*.
* If we make an offer of an alternative role or location to that which you originally applied for, and you decline that offer, you will be able to remain on the reserve list.
* Note: exceptional circumstances could be when a candidate has requested a contractual part time working pattern and this pattern cannot be accommodated in the initial role offered, or in cases of serious ill health.
Important information
Visa
For these vacancies, we strongly recommend that applicants consult with an immigration specialist or qualified advisor to assess their eligibility for Visa Sponsorship before deciding to apply. Please note that while we consider sponsorship requests in accordance with current DWP guidance and Home Office policy, sponsorship cannot be guaranteed.
Candidate pack
It is important that you take time to read the candidate pack which can be found at the bottom of this job advert. This provides further information about the role and working in DWP.
Location
Please see slide 2 in the candidate pack for list of possible locations.
Please note that for candidates requesting to work in Newcastle Tyneview Park, this role will be based at Benton Park View from September 2025, and then at 1 Pilgrim Place in Newcastle city centre by the end of 2027."
You should only apply for suitable posts where you can travel to and from your home office location daily within a reasonable time. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. Relocation costs will not be reimbursed.
Hybrid working
This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post. Hybrid working will not commence until any training and consolidation period has been successfully completed.
Working pattern
Part-time, part-year, term-time compressed hours and job-sharing working patterns within working hours will be considered but must meet business needs. We will do our best to let people with existing part time contracts retain their contracted hours provided they are in line with current business needs. Please note that successful candidates with agreed alternative working patterns may be required to work full time for specific periods to complete all training and consolidation.
Hours of work
The full-time working week in DWP is 37 hours. You may be required to work at any time between the hours of:
* 7:45am and 8:00pm on any day between Monday to Friday, and
* 8:45am to 5:00pm on Saturday.
Managers will agree working patterns with successful applicants within these business hours and review these as appropriate. You will be given advance notice of your personal schedule.
Further information
Find out more about Working for DWP
A reserve list may be held for a period of 3 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to DWP 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.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service 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- stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
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.
Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms and conditions of employment, for example mobility, pay and allowances. Civil Servants who transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms and conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing.
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn. Internal DWP candidates may also face disciplinary action.
The evidence you provide must relate to your own experiences. If evidence of plagiarism, or sharing of questions, information or answers throughout any part of the selection process is found, your application will be withdrawn. Examples of plagiarism can include:
* Presenting the work, ideas and experience of others as your own
* Copying content from an online/published source
* Using forms of Artificial Intelligence to produce application content which you present as your own.
Reasonable adjustments
At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.
We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact Government Recruitment Service via as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the "Reasonable Adjustments" 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.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
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)
* 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
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code 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 .
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 the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans 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 : CFCD Recruitment Team
* Email :
Recruitment team
* Email :
Further information
Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DWP by email: HR..GOV.UK.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Click here to visit the Civil Service Commission.