Head of Counter Fraud and Investigations
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UKRI
Salary: £70,752 per annum.
Band: UKRI Band G.
Contract Type: Open Ended.
Hours: Full-time.
Location: Swindon, Wiltshire - Hybrid Working Available, Minimum 2 days a week in the office.
Closing Date: Sunday 8th March 2026.
About the role
The Head of Counter Fraud and Investigations ensures UKRI has a comprehensive approach to prevent, deter, detect, and respond to fraud, bribery, and corruption in line with Government Functional Standard GOVS013. The role will implement the UKRI Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy 2025 to 2028 and will be responsible for delivering the whistleblowing, and complaints functions for UKRI.
Security
As a minimum, due to the nature of this role, candidates must be eligible for clearance in line with UK National vetting guidelines and willing to undertake the process. Please indicate eligibility in the written submission. Candidates not meeting this level of clearance will not be considered. To qualify, applicants must have spent at least three of the last five years in the UK, with the two most recent years being consecutive and directly before submitting their application.
The level of clearance required is security check.
Your responsibilities:
- Supervision of the triage of counter fraud referrals and investigations to ensure they are managed and resolved in accordance with legislation and UKRI policies.
- Maintenance of a suite of Fraud Risk Assessments and creation of linked Fraud Loss Measurement analysis to support management decision making on controls in the context of risk and the value of fraud and error that UKRI is likely to be exposed to.
- Raising staff awareness and encouraging an environment of prevention and collaborative response to fraud across UKRI.
- Proactively supervising for indicators of fraud including participation in the biannual National Fraud Initiative.
- Supervision of the management of complaints and whistle blows, so they are efficiently and effectively resolved in line with policy requirements.
- Reporting on targets and important metrics, providing the Director Risk, Assurance, Fraud Prevention and Investigative Services with clear management information on performance.
- Lead relationships with external partners on counter fraud matters.
About You
Knowledge
Strong understanding of prevailing governance standards and public sector rules including but not limited to:
- Managing Public Money.
- HM Treasury and Cabinet Office standards and rules, particularly in relation to: Corporate Governance; Risk management; Spending Controls; Regularity and Propriety (conflicts of interest, gifts and hospitality, ethics).
- Gov 13 Functional Standard on Fraud and all standards that apply to UKRI functional work.
- Counter Fraud Function core disciplines.
- Public Interest Disclosure Act and its implementation.
- Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman Complaints Handling Standards.
Experience
- Extensive investigation experience, including developing and implementing effective investigation strategies and frameworks in an organisation.
- Experience collaborating with executive teams and being a trusted advisor providing expert professional advice to senior management.
- Ability to innovate and challenge established thinking in self and others, and to offer insights and ideas with practical application coupled with the ability to drive change.
Personal Specification
The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).
Essential
- CIPD or a counter fraud qualification from the Counter Fraud Professional Awards Board. (S)
- Excellent communication skills, able to influence and build and maintain strong working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders at all levels. (S/I)
- Strong leadership abilities combined with the capacity to lead through change, encourage, motivate, and develop capability within a team. (S/I)
Benefits
We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!
We are offering this position with a whole host of benefits including:
- 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days).
- Flexible working hours.
- An excellent defined salary pension scheme.
- Easily accessible public transport links/ free parking
- Excellent learning and development opportunities.
- Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
For further information on our benefits please see:
Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org.
Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org.