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Job description

The role of the SO Fraud Investigator in Organised Fraud Unit is to lead and manage serious and complex end to end fraud investigations in partnership with other law enforcement agencies. Building and maintaining strong and effective relationships within the NICS and with Partner Enforcement Agencies including PSNI, HMRC, DVA, DSP and UK Border Force. This role will include covert surveillance operations, interviews under caution, control of Intelligence Reports, fulfilment of Equipment Officer duties, compliance with H&S procedures, liaison with the NINO team, employer visits, landlord visits, childcare provider visits, peer checking files for Prosecutions and attendance at Court and Appeal Tribunals as a Departmental witness. The role will involve leading, managing and participating in arrest / search operations as well as production of pre-brief, update and debrief / results papers on external operations for senior management and drafting reports for the press office. Please see employer website for full job details & person specification.

Responsibilities

• To act as Senior Investigating Officer in complex cases and manage/oversee multi agency operations. Prepare briefs for individual case conferences, provide advice & guidance and report outcomes to senior management.
• Lawfully gathering evidence to prove/disprove an allegation of benefit fraud in line with Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1986 (CIPA).
• Completion of a benefit fraud investigation collection plan and making decisions on the progression of criminal investigations to the next stage.
• Pre surveillance checks and covert observations on foot and in a vehicle in accordance with Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).
• Preparing, arranging and carrying out Interviews under Caution in line with the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (PACE).
• Attendance at Court and Court Officer duties (acting as a witness and familiar with Court protocols).
• Attend Social Security Appeal Tribunals as a Departmental Witness.
• Compliance with all Health and Safety procedures.
• Undertake accredited counter fraud, surveillance and cyber fraud training and develop skills in these areas.
• Act as Health & Safety single point of contact and deal with security incidents.
• Provide leadership while developing, managing and supporting your team as they deal with public services and enquiries.
• Ensure that your teams meet agreed standards and targets for timely and high-quality outcomes.
• Take personal responsibility and ownership for keeping up to date with changes in policy and processes.
• Take individual responsibility for strategic areas of work on behalf of Fraud Operations.
• Provide support to your line manager and senior managers in relation to policy development and evaluation activities.
• Participation in multi agency operations, including drafting pre briefs, real time updates, debriefs and outcome reports for DP manager.
• Keep and maintain management information and report to DP monthly.
• Building and maintaining collaborative working relationships with other criminal justice agencies.
• Employer visits.
• Landlord visits.
• Liaising with victims and witnesses.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• A Professionalism in Security or an Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist qualification or an equivalent qualification.
• AND Minimum of 2 years’ experience gained within last 5 years of working autonomously & applying innovation to achieve successful investigation linked to potentially serious, organised crime (in line with Criminal Procedure Investigations Act 1996).
• AND Minimum of 2 years’ experience gained within the last 5 years of building and maintaining successful working relationships, with other criminal justice agencies, outside your own organisation, to develop and deliver shared objectives.
• AND A full Category B driving licence, valid for Northern Ireland, and access to a vehicle that will enable the candidate to carry out the duties of the post in full.

Desirable Skills

• Have a minimum of 2 years’ experience, gained within the last 5 years, of attending the Magistrates and/or Crown Courts and acting as court officer.

Further Information

NICS Application form only. Vacancy closing date Friday 12th December 2025 at 12 noon. Applications from Protestants, young People (people under the age of 35), people with a disability and people from minority ethnic communities are particularly welcomed for this post. The Northern Ireland Civil Service is an Equal Opportunities Employer.