As part of the NHS Contract organisations are required to have counter fraud arrangements in place to provide added value through the use of counter fraud specialists, the purpose of this role is primarily to manage, control and deliver highly complex counter fraud investigations and value-added proactive work to a number of organisations simultaneously.
The Senior Local Counter Fraud Specialist is responsible for a range of allocated ASW Assurance clients and the delivery of the operational counter fraud service to prevent, detect and investigate fraud, corruption and bribery in line with NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA) requirements.
Assist the Counter Fraud Manager with managing and developing the counter fraud team.
Develop, promote and maintain effective counter fraud arrangements for a portfolio of clients.
Supervise and coach newer and less experienced colleagues.
To work in partnership with ASW Assurance audit colleagues and other external agencies in the key areas of counter fraud work as set out in Government Functional Standard 13 relating to Counter Fraud.
Respond to and anticipate queries from clients, external agencies and members of the public, often highly complex, sensitive and confidential in nature across a diverse client base and action as necessary.
Identify and provide solutions to fraud risks in line with the Government Counter Fraud Profession Fraud Risk Assessment Methodology. Escalate risks in the event of insufficient mitigation and proactively track progress of fraud risk mitigation implementation.
Undertake the role of “Officer in charge” of investigations into allegations and suspicions of fraud against multiple organisations. Complying at all times with relevant legislation including the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.
Work collaboratively with the Counter Fraud team and wider ASW Assurance teams to deliver agreed plans.
Why Work With Us
As the main counter fraud service provider to the NHS in the South West, ASW Assurance provides an excellent, value added service, which meets and exceeds the delivery of both national and local NHS counter fraud requirements.
ASW Assurance work is focused to ensure that fraud risks that may prevent the achievement of NHS organisations strategic objectives are kept to a minimum. The counter fraud work is pivotal in ensuring that the organisation’s specific fraud risks are identified and managed to prevent financial loss and protect the organisation’s reputation. We also deliver specialised security management consultancy services, and can provide a comprehensive, joined up, resilient anti-crime service.
Communication and working relationships
Advise multiple organisations at executive and non-executive level on matters relevant to the post holder’s area of expertise
Be the subject matter expert for advice and guidance at Board level for multiple organisations in the post holder’s area of expertise
Provide and co-ordinate advice on organisational risks and issues to staff at all levels
Be able to communicate the reasoning behind highly complex or contentious recommendations and persuade and negotiate with management leads to arrive at an agreed position
Prepare high quality reports for use at Executive level within multiple clients on the commencement and completion of work (proactive and reactive) covering complex and detailed subject areas
Maintain good working relationships with ASW Assurance audit staff, internal and external audit personnel from external organisations, NHSCFA and other agencies in the delivery of the fraud service
Understand, review, update and promote client’s fraud-risk relevant policies to staff at all levels of multiple organisations
Work collaboratively with colleagues in supporting services
Planning and organisation
Have responsibility for planning, leading, management and delivery of the counter fraud annual work plans for multiple organisations
Prioritise and deliver on urgent conflicting priorities
Contribute to the strategic planning of counter fraud team projects, identifying interdependencies across projects/functions, potential impacts on wider organisation, resource requirements and building in contingency and adjustments as necessary
Contribute to the development of counter fraud relevant performance and governance strategies and the development and implementation of improvement programs, in accordance with organisational priorities
Contribute to short, medium and long-term business plans, achieving quality outcomes in respect of ASW Assurance and multiple client organisations
Analytical and judgement
Undertake highly complex investigations in accordance with current legislation and NHS guidelines. The postholder is officially the Officer in Charge on investigations and has freedom to progress investigations and proactive work as they see fit.
Ensure that information obtained during proactive or reactive work is robust in order to interpret and make sound assessments and judgements that lead to effective recommendations to address system weaknesses and risk management
Receive and evaluate complex data pertinent to developments in fraud and, using their own knowledge, skills and expert judgement decide and implement appropriate fraud resilience measures
Responsibility and accountability
Be responsible for leading the counter fraud service within their nominated organisations including the formulation and delivery of agreed counter fraud plans under the guidance of the Counter Fraud Manager to ensure optimum counter fraud prevention and detection is delivered across all services
Be accountable to the Audit Committee and Director of Finance of multiple organisations, the NHSCFA and the ASW Assurance Counter Fraud Manager for the delivery of the counter fraud service to multiple organisations
Provide interim and annual reports to the Audit Committee and liaise with Directors of Finance of multiple organisations regarding progress against agreed counter fraud workplans, progress of counter fraud investigations and proactive work in compliance with Government Functional Standard 13: Counter Fraud and implementation of recommendations
Be responsible for the preparation of documents, data analysis, specifications and management of the counter fraud arrangements for multiple organisations
Policy and service responsibility
Be responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of annual counter fraud workplans for multiple organisations
Be responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of the Counter Fraud, Bribery & Corruption Policy for multiple organisations
Be responsible for providing specialist advice and guidance in key policy in other areas including (but not limited to) disciplinary, managing absence, standards of business conduct, procurement, recruitment and secondary/additional employment
In collaboration with the Counter Fraud Manager, develop and provide long term planning of the counter fraud service for which they are responsible across multiple organisations
Contribute to the review and development of existing information management systems and contribute to the development of an integrated approach to, service or initiative management
Develop fraud related policies and procedures and advise on control systems to improve fraud resilience
Carry out regular reviews of investigations, Fraud Prevention Notices and risk registers ensuring that appropriate follow up action is taken to address and reduce the risk of fraud and disseminate learning points to appropriate staff groups
To travel independently to ASW Assurance clients, other locations and further afield sometimes at short notice to deliver the service in person when other methods are not appropriate
Responsibility for finance, equipment and other resources
Report regularly to Board level staff on use of valuable counter fraud budget and provide advice and guidance throughout the reporting year as situations develop to realign priorities, ensuring the most efficient use of resources
Be professionally responsible for ensuring the effectiveness of financial systems across organisations through scrutiny of purchasing and highly complex procurement processes
Have the lead responsibility of delivering the service to multiple nominated organisations
Evaluate organisation-wide projects and functions within identified portfolio for delivery against financial recovery through providing high quality analysis as required by the Director of Finance and/or Audit Committee
Initiate the recovery of any monies misappropriated through fraud and/or error
Develop and implement projects designed to evaluate Trust spending and identify system improvement opportunities to create savings
Responsibility for the delivery of the Cabinet Office project, the ‘National Fraud Initiative’ involving analysis of complex financial creditors and payroll data and recovery of monies lost to fraud/error, as well as taking formal action against those responsible
Responsibility for supervision, leadership and management
Act as lead specialist for counter fraud services on a portfolio of clients covering the planning, delivery and client liaison, including strategic and operational liaison with the Director of Finance
Line manage Band 6 Local Counter Fraud Specialist and Trainee Local Counter Fraud Specialist Band 6 Annex U or be responsible for specialist areas of counter fraud work
Participate in the management and coordination of training and development of team members and contribute to recruitment activity across the team.
Develop and deliver bespoke specialist training to all groups of staff for multiple organisations following consultation with board level members and heads of service
Develop and deliver bespoke specialist training to budget holders for multiple organisations following consultation with board level members and heads of service
Take responsibility for their own personal development, capability and CPD within the PDR process and undertake PDRs for Band 6 Local Counter Fraud Specialists
Be responsible for the identification of staff development opportunities for LCFSs
Coach, mentor and provide supervision to junior/less experienced staff on all aspects of counter fraud work to develop staff skills and knowledge to deliver bespoke pieces of work
Supervise specialist work resulting in recommendations for service improvement and financial sustainability
Able to be responsible for the day to day supervision of lower band LCFSs
Negotiate with senior managers to ensure staff conduct and financial sustainability are conducive to a fraud resilient service
Provide advice and support for managers in the area of criminal investigation and, where legal to do so, liaise with HR colleagues in respect of disciplinary processes including current client policy guidance and to ensure that counter fraud investigations observe parallel sanction routes appropriately
Information technology and administrative duties
Design and provide recommendations to current and innovative processes, advising on procedures to enhance fraud resilience and enable sound financial and employment decisions to be made
Responsible for designing/adapting systems to meet the specifications of others
Create, record, retain and disclose confidential and non-confidential information across all aspects required by the role
Ensure timely and accurate information analysis and reporting to Board members and management on agreed areas of work, which will withstand close scrutiny at Board level meetings, client disciplinary hearings, professional hearings and criminal trial processes
Oversee progress toward implementation of recommendations arising from counter fraud work
Develop and oversee implementation of recommendations to mitigate identified system weaknesses
Make full and appropriate use of the NHSCFA case management system observing all the requirements of handling highly sensitive data and documents
Take and transcribe minutes of formal counter fraud team meetings
Responsibility for research and development
Develop, coordinate and implement surveys across multiple organisations to assist with local initiatives and provide valuable data to influence work at a local and national level
Contribute to the development of key performance indicators for the successful assessment of individual and work stream success
Delegate aspects of Research and Development activities, collating and interpreting information, analysing and reporting finding

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