Covert Surveillance Officers

**Details**:
**Reference number**:

- 428053

**Salary**:

- £32,137
- A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

GBP

**Job grade**:

- Executive Officer

**Contract type**:

- Permanent

**Business area**:

- DWP - Counter Fraud, Compliance and Debt

**Type of role**:

- Investigation
Operational Delivery

**Working pattern**:

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

**Number of jobs available**:

- 3

**Contents**:

- Location
- About the job
- Benefits
- Things you need to know

**Location**:

- Edinburgh, Glasgow

**About the job**:
**Job summary**:
As part of the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) response to tackling fraud within the welfare system, the Department utilise covert surveillance to gather evidence to prove/disprove offences.

This is an opportunity to join our team of highly trained, dedicated Operatives in this challenging but highly rewarding role. This is not a normal office hours role. It will require you to work unsociable hours (early start and late finishes) including some weekend work alongside a good level of fitness.

**Job description**:
**As a CFCD Covert Surveillance Operative you will**:

- Lead 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/ Scotland Act, The Police Act 1997 & Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act 1996, and in accordance 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.
- Produce 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. Included are several critical events in required to undertake these duties. 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.
- Actively participate in surveillance operations, often requiring regular attendance in unsocial hours and travel. Some overnight stays may also be required.

**Person specification**:
**What we are looking for in our Covert Surveillance Officers**:

- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.

**Learning Requirements**
- RoSPA (Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents) Defensive driving L2.
- Foot surveillance tactics.
- Mobile surveillance tactics.
- ACFIP (Accredited Fraud Investigation Programme).

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

**Government Counter Fraud Profession (GCFP)**
- Any disciplinary finding of guilt / failure to meet the appropriate standard of conduct relating to their employment they have ever had.
- Any charge of a disciplinary offence / notification o