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Investigation Officer

Job details
Posting date: 14 April 2025
Salary: £33,590 to £40,170 per year
Additional salary information: National - £33590 - £36000 London £37480-£40170 This role currently attracts a Specialist Pay Lead of £5,000 per annum. For details of our pay on appointment policy, please see below under the heading ‘Salary’.
Hours: Full time
Closing date: 28 April 2025
Location: Bristol
Company: Government Recruitment Service
Job type: Permanent
Job reference: 400823/2

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Summary

Defra Counter Fraud and Investigations (CFI) plays an important role in enforcing the regulatory framework of the department and most of its executive agencies and arm’s length bodies. We conduct criminal, regulatory and sensitive internal investigations on behalf of the Defra group including Core Defra, the Animal & Plant Health Agency, the Forestry Commission, the Rural Payments Agency and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. As a team, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards possible and adhere to the Cabinet Office Counter Fraud Investigation Standards.

Being part of CFI will give the successful candidate opportunities to work on diverse investigations with external stakeholders across various organisations.

The Investigation Officer (IO) will be responsible for conducting a number of wide-ranging and sometimes complex investigations. The successful candidate will be expected to consider the investigation requirements and draft an investigation plan within legislative parameters for each investigation, they must actively monitor their own investigation work and progress all investigations timeously as per the investigation plan.

The job holder will be required to demonstrate case progression, seek authorisation to make court applications, assist in searches of premises, conduct evidence gathering including witness statements and voluntary PACE interviews, manage your own CPIA disclosure responsibilities, draft RIPA applications and take own responsibility for compiling necessary documentation for review prior to any submissions to prosecutors. The successful candidate should be able to produce high-quality investigation reports for review by the Senior Investigation Officer.

The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining their own investigation material within the CFI case management system and adhere to data protection requirements.

This is a travelling officer post, and the job holder must be prepared to undertake some travel with infrequent stays away from home. On occasions, the job holder must also be prepared to work unsocial hours.

Due to the nature of the work, the successful candidate will be expected to complete a declaration regarding criminal / disciplinary convictions. More information on this can be obtained from the Vacancy Holder.

The successful candidate will work closely with other IO’s to conduct criminal and staff sensitive investigations. As part of your role, the job holder will be responsible for the progression of a number of diverse investigations. IO’s must ensure their investigation plans are lawful, sound, proportionate and necessary and that investigation reports and prosecutor submissions meet the required standards. CFI IO’s play a full part in team activities, supporting colleagues and their SIO. The main elements of the role are:

  • Consider allocated case referrals and evidence from clients to draft an investigation plan to meet with CFI criteria (CFI has adopted the Cabinet Office Investigation Standards model). The proposed activity should be proportionate and necessary
  • Partake in regular case discussions with your SIO to ensure that investigations are conducted lawfully and effectively
  • Critically review own investigations to identify sound recommendations for the referring client
  • Draft investigation reports that are accurate and ‘fit for purpose’
  • Ensure that proposed prosecution cases are compiled in accordance with Crown Prosecution Service expectations and meet evidential and public interest thresholds
  • Engage with your manager by taking part in regular performance reviews, seeking feedback and addressing performance issues
  • Manage your own investigation data by complying with existing policies and all UK GDPR and DPA 2018 data requirements
  • Engage with CFI clients to ensure they are kept up to date with case progression
  • Ensure that you take part in learning and development opportunities
  • Engage when necessary with Defra Policy teams on investigation matters

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.

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