Fraud Investigator (Inverness)

Do you have experience in counter fraud or criminal investigations? Are you looking for an interesting and challenging role where you can work proactively and collaboratively and further develop your team working skills? If so, our Fraud Investigator role could be a great fit for you.

Everyone in Scotland should have the support they need to live their life, and we believe they should be able to get it when and where they need it. That's why Social Security Scotland is built around the people of Scotland.

However, fraud is a known risk to the benefits being devolved, so the agency has developed their response. While our strategy is to design out opportunities for fraud and error through preventative measures where possible, there remains the possibility that fraud will occur. To respond to this, Social Security Scotland's counter fraud service detects and investigates fraud, taking enforcement action where appropriate.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to join Social Security Scotland’s Inverness based External Fraud Investigation team, where you will contribute to the safeguarding of vital resources for the people of Scotland who need them, by gathering and assessing intelligence and carrying out formal investigative action. It also allows the opportunity to engage closely with internal and external stakeholders, be flexible and pro-active in your approach to fraud investigations, be comfortable in a changing environment, and enjoy working collaboratively to identify improvements, exploring new ideas and solutions.

This role is based out of Great Glen House, Inverness, however due to the nature of the role a high degree of flexibility is required and there is an expectation for travel across Scotland from the Inverness base office.

Responsibilities

You will undertake investigations into allegations of fraud which are compliant with legal and policy requirements, to include:

• Investigation planning to identify relevant enquiries and gather appropriate evidence.
• Conducting interviews with witnesses.
• Conducting formal recorded interviews of suspects.
• Undertaking risk assessments, managing evidence and administering documentation.
• Working closely with other government departments and Police Scotland as appropriate.
• Preparing adjudication reports and case summaries.
• Writing crime reports for submission to the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service, and collating production packs, disclosure schedules etc.
• Providing evidence as a witness in prosecution case proceedings and supporting Appeals Officer as appropriate where a Tribunal hearing is requested in relation to a fraud determination.
  
  

Success Profiles

We use an assessment framework called ‘Success Profiles’ which lists the elements we test and provides detailed descriptions of each. Find out more about how we assess the Success Profile elements.

Experience

• Operational experience in counter fraud or some other form of criminal investigation, ideally to include investigative planning, formal interviewing, statement noting, evidence management and crime report collation.
• Experience of working collaboratively with internal and external partners, seeking opportunities to share resources, information, experience and best practice.
• A sound approach to decision making, with an ability to consider proportionality and necessity when undertaking investigative enquiries.
• An ability to work effectively in a changing environment, demonstrating flexibility and overcoming challenges while also enabling others to do so.
  
  

Behaviours

• Communicating and Influencing – (Level 3)
• Delivering at Pace – (Level 3)
  
  

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here.

How to Apply 

Apply online, you must provide a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profiles above.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples 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 ge

nerated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.

If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the CV and Supporting Statement on Experience 1.

We aim to provide feedback on request. However, if we receive a large number of applications it may not be possible for us to provide specific feedback on your application. We will provide feedback on request to candidates who attend an interview/assessment.

Information Session  

We are holding candidate information sessions for this role to provide you with information about the application and interview process as well as further information on the role and team.

The session will be held on 27th January 2026 at 12:00 -13:00

Please join us using the link below to find out more about the role and working for Social Security Scotland.    

Join the meeting now

Expected Timeline (subject to change)

Sift – w/c 6th February 2026

Interview – w/c 16th March 2026

Reserve List 

In the event that there are more successful candidates than posts available, a reserve list will be kept for up to 12 months. 

About Us 

Social Security Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. Our benefits help people from all walks of life in Scotland. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that is representative of the clients we serve. Find more about us here.  

We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer. 

As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.   

Working Pattern

Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options, depending on the needs of the role. We embrace a hybrid working style where all colleagues will spend time in their assigned office location. There is an expectation of a minimum 2 days per week in your assigned location, which will be Great Glen House, Leachkin Road, Inverness. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us. 

This role is based out of Great Glen House, Inverness, however due to the nature of the role a high degree of flexibility is required and there is an expectation for travel across Scotland from the Inverness base office.

Security Checks

Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).

You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide. 

This post requires the successful candidate to clear additional National Security Vetting clearance (Security Check) before a start date can be offered. Further information regarding National Security Vetting clearance can be found here - National security vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK

Equality Statement 

Social Security Scotland are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.   

Social Security Scotland are a Disability Confident Employer. We will consider and implement any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process and during the course of your employment, should you be successful in securing a post. If you feel you may require assistance with any part of our recruitment process, please contact us at recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot

Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer support and recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.

Right to Work in the UK

Social Security Scotland is an approved sponsor under the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Please note that UK immigration guidance, including skill and salary thresholds and eligible occupations, is reviewed regularly and subject to change. If you require visa sponsorship, you should check the latest criteria to confirm whether this role meets current requirements before applying. You can find further advice on Gov.UK - Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK

Further Information

The successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 3 years unless successful in gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.

Social Security Scotland’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the recruitment principles of the Civil Service Commissioner, which outline that selection for appointment be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition - Recruitment - Civil Service Commission (independent.gov.uk)

If you feel at any time your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, you can make a complaint, by contacting Social Security Scotland at recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commissioner.

Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website. 

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes. 

If you experience any difficulties accessing our website or completing the online application form, please contact the Resourcing Team via recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot

Apply before 4th February 2026 at 23:55

Contact Name - Alan Ross

Contact Email - Alan.Ross@socialsecurity.gov.scot