Operational Intelligence Service DSA Authorising Officer, Basildon

Job summary

Do you have an inquisitive mind? Do you enjoy engaging with customers? If so, we need you!

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)is responsible forwelfare, pensions and child maintenance policy andis responsible forhelping people move into employment, supporting pensioners and protecting some of the most vulnerable in our society. Counter Fraud Compliance and Debts (CFCD) aim is to drive down the level of fraud,errorand debt within the benefit system, to protect the public purse.

As part of CFCD you will be at the heart of DWPs efforts to reduce fraud and error in the benefit system. This is a hugely important public service, and our challenge is bigger than ever.

If you want to join somewhere that recognises the importance of work-life balance, where you can learn new skills and progress your career, then CFCD is the place for you.

Job description

What to Expect:

Role-Specific Responsibilities

• Provideexpert RIPA advice to CFCD SLT (Senior Leadership Team) and stakeholders.
• Lead on surveillance authorisations and IPCO (Investigatory Powers Commissioners Office) inspections.
• Drive people engagement and resource management.
• Build relationships with law enforcement and policy bodies.
• Act as a subject matter expert on the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA),providingspecialist technical advice to the CFCD Senior Leadership Team and stakeholders (including criminal investigators) on surveillance and authorisation matters. Participate in DWPs annual IPCO inspection for RIPA.
• Build andmaintainrelationships with investigative bodies through regular engagement across DWP, Law Enforcement, CPS, Home Office, and IPCO to shape policy, operations, and capability.
• Provide senior leadership and optimise resources to meet performance objectives.
• Authorise DWP surveillance activity in line with RIPA legislation.
• Drive team engagement and sethigh standardsfor leadership across the business.

Due tothe geographically dispersed nature of this team/ nature of this role, this role will requireoccasionaltravel and overnight stays.

Person specification

Keycriteria

• RIPA Expertise (Lead Criteria):Strong, up-to-date knowledge of RIPA with the ability to interpret complex legislation is essential.
• Leadership (Second Lead Criteria):Proven leadership with clear, confident communication to influence colleagues, partners, and stakeholders.
• Strategic Thinking:Able to present complex information clearly, offering solutions that align with business priorities, as well as make strategic decisions in a fast-paced, governance-heavy environment.
• Relationship Building:Builds trust and strong relationships across internal and external stakeholders, understanding business impacts.
• Performance Management:Uses data to drive performance,maintainquality, and address underperformance constructively.
• Inclusive Leadership:Champions diversity, continuous learning, and innovation. Leads remote, diverse teams through coaching, driving change aligned with DWPs goals.

EssentialSecurityCriteria

Please notethat the role that you are applying requires National Security Vetting (NSV) to the level Security Check (SC).You can find more info rmationat United Kingdom Security Vetting: Applicant - GOV.UK () .If you are successful in your application, you will need toattainSC clearance before you can take up post. This is mandatory and is in addition to completion of Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS).

The purpose of the NSV process is to provide a level of assurance about an individuals trustworthiness, integrity and reliability, and other factors that increase their vulnerability to corruption or risk of committing a security breach. It involves the investigation of an individuals background and circumstances to achieve this aim.

For meaningful checks to be carried out, you will need to have lived in the UK for a sufficientperiod of timeto enableappropriate checksto be carried out and produce a result which provides the required level of assurance. Applicantsare required tomeet the UK residency requirements so that National Security Vetting (NSV) checks can be conducted.Depending on the level of NSVrequired, you must haveresidedcontinuously i n the UK for at least3 of the last 5 years, 2 of which must have been theimmediatelypreceding years from the point of applying for this job.

The application process will ask for personal details about you, your address history,previousrelationships, your parents, your employm ent history, your financial circumstances, and details of any pending,spentor unspent convictions. This list is not exhaustive. Please view the Vetting explained - GOV.UK () for more information.

If you require any further information, please contact the vacancy holder the details are on the jobs portal through which you made your application.

If you are successful in your application, we recommend that you familiarise yourself with the NSV process andadvisethat you collate as much information as you can prior to starting your Vetting application.

Government Counter Fraud Profession (GCFP)

The DWP is committed to investing in people and ensuring their teams are a professional workforce. It is a requirement of counter fraud post holders within DWP toattain, andretain, membership of the Government Counter Fraud Profession (GCFP) at Practitioner level. This means if you are successful in applying for this role you will need to undertake an annual self-assessment toevidenceyour knowledge, skills, and experience within your role toattainand retain practitioner level membership. We provide post holders with a learning routeway to support them in achieving as well as any workplace adjustments they mayrequire. Failure toattainmembership of the GCFP at practitioner level may result in DWP seeking an alternative role for you.

In applying you will haveindicatedthat you have read and fully understood the professional requirements for this Counter Fraud Officer role.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Strong, up-to-date knowledge of RIPA with the ability to interpret complex legislation.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of 44,447, Department for Work and Pensions contributes 12,876 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 25 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (prorata 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 years 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 Womens Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence
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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

**Please note the closing date for yourfull application(written application)is 23:55 on2ndJune2026**

Stage 1 Short StageApplication Form

Please complete the first stage short application form, which includes your personal details, eligibility to apply and any reasonable adjustments required.

Stage2Written ApplicationandSift

As part of the application process,you will be asked to complete apersonalstatement in …