Contract Management and Assurance

We work collaboratively with other LAA departments to interpret and apply the Contract to the providers which we manage. We ensure that Providers deliver quality legal aid services in accordance with contractual requirements and relevant legislation. We interpret and analyse data to effectively manage risk and to influence providers to improve performance and effectively deliver change. We also engage with the wider Justice System to promote partnership working and influence provider behaviour.

Counter Fraud and Intelligence

The Counter Fraud and Intelligence (CFI) team has responsibility for developing intelligence to investigate fraudulent activity against the Legal Aid fund; the two primary areas of focus being Provider and Client based fraud. The team works with partners internally and externally to take appropriate enforcement and/or regulatory action against those committing fraud and to support the recovery of funds; examples of external partners being Solicitors Regulation Authority, DWP, HMRC and Police.

The team also has a wider functional responsibility supporting allegations of fraud across other MOJ agencies; this includes reports of internal fraud, bribery or corruption. All MOJ employees are required to act honestly, with integrity and to safeguard the public service delivery for which they are responsible. MOJ will not tolerate fraud, bribery or corrupt practices and the CFI team will always strive to respond robustly to reported matters.

Job Summary

This is an important role within the Counter Fraud and Intelligence Team working across the Pursue and Prevent workstreams.

Reporting to the Senior Intelligence Manager, the Pursue element of this role involves day to day supervision of the LAA’s Counter Fraud Duty Office. The Duty Office is the triage function for all fraud allegations sent to the LAA. The Duty Office supervision role includes oversight and management of the Central Casework Record, Duty Office processes and line management of Duty Officers.

The Prevent coordinator element of the role involves provision of administrative support to Counter Fraud Prevent Managers which includes coordinating Prevent referrals, managing action plans and workflows and support to deliver the LAA’s Fraud Risk Management Programme.

Key Responsibilities:

Supervision and management of overall performance of the Counter Fraud Duty Office and line management of Duty Officers.

Managing changing priorities and escalating any risks to delivery as appropriate.

Compilation of monthly CFI Statistics, evidencing CFI performance and trends to Senior Leadership Team.

Overseeing progression of intelligence and enquiries into the Duty Office to reach decisions and recommendations based on evidence. Accurately documenting intelligence development as directed by guidance/SOPs, investigatory legislation, best practice, and functional standards.

Producing quality case summaries and recommendations.

Coordination and delivery across both the Prevent and Pursue workstreams.

Managing communications and building relationships with external stakeholders such as the Police, Solicitor Regulatory Authority and Other Government Departments.

Support work across other projects as requested.

Essential Knowledge, Experience and skills

· Experience of investigations intelligence and/or operational risk management.

· You make confident and informed decisions taking a leading role in proactively, prioritizing and managing own and team performance.

Desirable Knowledge, Experience and skills

· Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist (ACFS) desirable.

· Recognised professional accreditation in Counter Fraud, Intelligence or Investigation disciplines.

· Knowledge of Microsoft Office 365.

Person Specification

· You have experience of working in the Intelligence or Counter Fraud sector and understand the National Intelligence Model (NIM) and how to operate within it.

· You are driven, embrace change and are not fazed by uncertainty whilst continuing to deliver core objectives with resilience and composure when faced with challenges.

· You have confidence in your professional judgement and hold yourself accountable for your decisions and their implications.

· You are a confident communicator and able to deliver information effectively both verbally and in writing.

· You are highly organised and able to motivate yourself and others to work independently and enjoy leading a team or function and ensuring targets are met consistently.

· You enjoy working with a range of key stakeholders and build effective and productive working relationships both inside and outside of the organisation.

Assessment approach

Application Process

To apply please provide a statement of suitability showing how you meet the Essential Experience and Person Specification in no more than 1250 words.

Your statement should demonstrate your ability to do all of the criteria listed in the Essential Experience and Person Specification, using examples can help strengthen your application.

Please note we do not require a CV.

The advert may indicate that an Experience question is required at application, however, this is not required – we only require a Statement of Suitability.

Interview / assessment Process

If you are successful through the application stage, you will be invited to an interview / assessment centre in person or via Microsoft Teams where you will be assessed against the following:

· Strengths relevant to the role

· Some or all of the following Behaviours:

• Delivering at Pace

• Making Effective Decisions

• Working Together

· Your Experience of implementing, promoting, or understanding diversity and inclusion policy - Diversity is the presence of difference, this can include one or more of the protected characteristics (Gender, Age, Race, Disability etc.) or it can be about working patterns, whether we like to jump into a task or reflect on it before acting. Inclusion is how we welcome, value, and celebrate diversity, giving everyone a voice, tapping into ideas, and enabling everyone to be themselves at work and achieve their potential.

For this grade/ role we would expect the candidate to demonstrate understanding of the terms Diversity and Inclusion and be able to explain why they are important to them, their team and to where they work. We would also expect examples of action they have taken (in or outside of work) to embrace diversity (e.g., increasing understanding) or improve inclusion at a team or group level.

Delivering at Pace

Examples of delivering at pace at HEO and SEO grades or equivalent are when you:

show a positive approach to keeping the whole team’s efforts focused on the top priorities

promote a culture of following the appropriate procedures to ensure results are achieved on time whilst still enabling innovation

ensure the most appropriate resources are available for colleagues to use to do their job effectively

regularly monitor your own and team’s work against milestones ensuring individual needs are considered when setting tasks

act promptly to reassess workloads and priorities when there are conflicting demands to maintain performance

allow individuals the space and authority to meet objectives, providing additional support where necessary, whilst keeping overall responsibility

Making Effective Decisions

Examples of making effective decisions at HEO and SEO grades or equivalent are when you:

understand your own level of responsibility and empower others to make decisions where appropriate

analyse and use a range of relevant, credible information from internal and external sources to support decisions

invite challenge and where appropriate involve others in decision making

display confidence when making difficult decisions, even if they prove to be unpopular

consult with others to ensure the potential impacts on end users have been considered

present strong recommendations in a timely manner outlining the consideration of other options, costs, benefits and risks

Working Together

Examples of working together at HEO and SEO grades or equivalent are when you:

encourage joined up team work within your own team and across other groups

establish professional relationships with a range of stakeholders

collaborate with these to share information, resources and support

invest time to develop a common focus and genuine positive team spirit where colleagues feel valued and respect one another

put in place support for the wellbeing of individuals within the team, including consideration of your own needs

make it clear to all team members that bullying, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable

actively seek and consider input of people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives

Shortlisting is planned for week commencing 10th March 2025.

Interviews are planned for week commencing 31st March 2025.

If you would like more information on this opportunity, please contact – Nadia Driscoll Nadia.Driscoll@justice.gov.uk