UK Research and Innovation Salary: £45,272 per annum (dependent on skills and experience). Hours: Full time Contract Type: Open Ended. Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire. About UKRI Launched in April 2018, UK Research, and Innovation (UKRI) is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is the largest public funder of research and innovation (R&I) in the UK, spanning all disciplines and all sectors. We invest in people, places, ideas, innovation and impacts, empowering researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs to turn the many challenges we face into opportunities. We leverage our breadth and depth of knowledge of R&I to harness the full potential of the UK's talent and creativity. We work with partners to transform tomorrow together, creating tangible benefits: advancing knowledge, improving lives, and creating the industries and jobs of the future. The six strategic objectives in our strategy, Transforming Tomorrow Together, will ensure that the UK has the people, institutions, infrastructures, and partnerships to support a thriving R&I system. Our vision is for an outstanding research and innovation system in the UK to which everyone can contribute and from which everyone benefits, enriching lives locally, nationally, and globally. Role Overview for the Investigations Senior Manager The Investigations Senior Manager works with the Investigations and Counter Fraud Lead and the Head of Investigations and Counter Fraud. The postholder will support triage of concerns that come into UKRI about fraud bribery and corruption and provide advice on their handling. The Investigations Senior Manager will work in partnership with colleagues across UKRI to ensure that concerns which do not meet the threshold for counter fraud investigation are addressed through other means. The Investigations Senior Manager will investigate cases assigned to them and apply professional judgement to recommend the actions, in line with UKRI policies, that will be taken in response to their findings. These outcomes will include disciplinary action against staff, recovery of losess and referral to the Police for prosecution. The Investigations Senior Manager will work closely with a small number of third-party providers that will be used to undertake work that is more than the capacity of the team or provide specialist investigation skills. The Investigations Senior Manager will need business awareness with the ability to understand and analyse complex information to assess and manage risk; provide evidence-based opinions to help enforce the policies and standards of UKRI. The Investigations Senior Manager may occasionally be required to undertake workplace investigations within UKRI in line with standards set by the Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman and guidance of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) for workplace issues. The outcomes of investigations should enable effective enforcement of UKRI policies through investigations and alternative informal processes and initiatives that enable good outcomes. The Investigations Senior Manager will deliver casework to the highest standards. The Investigations Senior Manager will be expected to support and champion the implementation of a new approach and new ways of working to provide a joined-up investigations service for UKRI. Success Factors for the Function • Concerns are managed efficiently and effectively in line with policy requirements through investigations and alternative informal processes and initiatives where appropriate. • Clear line of sight and management of investigations across policy areas. • Improved performance in terms of timescales for reaching resolution on concerns raised. • Investigation arrangements that benchmark favourably against best practice, are applied and maintain UKRI's reputational standing. • Improved efficiency and effectiveness of investigation processes and elimination of duplication. • Better use of investigatory resources both within and outside of UKRI. • Fewer cases are taken down the formal route as they have been dealt with as 'business as usual' or informally. Management and Leadership Role • The Investigations Senior Manager will report to the Investigations and Counter Fraud Lead. • The Investigations Senior Manager may have line management responsibility for an Investigations and Counter Fraud Manager. • The Investigations Senior Manager will have autonomy to undertake case work and provide draft reports and actions having taken advice from key stakeholders. • The Investigations Senior Manager will provide advice and recommendations during the triage of concerns. • The Investigations Senior Manager will have excellent people skills, able to influence and build and maintain strong working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders at all levels; ability to instil confidence within stakeholders acting as a trusted advisor. • Building sound and effective relationships, the roles will work with a wide network of colleagues across UKRI involved in the management of concerns and undertaking investigations. They will be involved in the triage of fraud, bribery and corruption concerns that come into UKRI and ensure that they are effectively managed and responded to. • The role will also need to support and at times deputise for the Investigations and Counter Fraud Lead or the Investigations Delivery Lead at a variety of external fora, to collaborate with external auditors, the Public Sector Fraud Authority, and other external organisations, including funded bodies, to build trust and increase the profile and reputation of UKRI. • The postholder will apply the highest standards of integrity, maintaining confidentiality, and operating appropriately in highly sensitive and potentially politically complex situations. They play a key role in ensuring that UKRI lives up the values set out in the People Standards. Financial Responsibilities This role does not have direct financial responsibilities. Outline job description & deliverables Overall investigation team responsibilities • Support Triage concerns that come into UKRI from within and outside of the organisation where they relate to fraud, bribery and corruption, exercising judgement to advise on their handling. This will include concerns raised via an anonymous reporting tool and close working with policy leads across UKRI and potentially Trades Unions for complex issues. • Ensure investigation processes operate effectively in line with corporate expectations, legal and regulatory requirements, and best practice. • Apply the highest standards of integrity, maintaining confidentiality, and can solve complex problems in an environment where strategy, governance and politics is highly relevant. • Develop positive relationships with a wide range of internal stakeholders and build trust with senior leaders to foster an inclusive and joined-up approach to counter fraud investigations. • Ensure that risks and issues arising from investigations are identified and brought to the attention of key stakeholders for action. • Support the development and implementation of procedures and guidance, conducting necessary consultation and recommending corrective and future action. • Direct line management and/or supervision of an Investigations and Counter Fraud Manager • Prepare high quality updates, reports, and advice to the line manager and senior leadership. • Apply the highest standards of integrity, maintaining confidentiality, and operating appropriately in highly sensitive and potentially politically complex situations. • Prepare high quality updates, reports, and advice to line management and senior leadership. Investigations Responsibilities • Undertake counter fraud investigations, ensuring timely and quality delivery of cases in accordance with legislation and UKRI policies such that the work can be relied upon for civil or criminal prosecution. • Undertake workplace investigations in line with standards set by the Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman and guidance of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS). • Author high quality reports on the outcomes of investigations that enable effective and appropriate enforcement of UKRI policies through investigations, and alternative informal processes and initiatives that enable good outcomes. • Conduct effective day to day management of casework to ensure timely and quality delivery of cases. • Obtain technical case direction and decision-making in relation to complex cases, working collaboratively with legal, HR and other stakeholders. • Produce case reports that are proportionate, fair, and consistent, in line with good investigative practice and with outcomes that function as a credible deterrent. Key Skills • Good people skills, able to build and maintain strong working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders at all levels. • Able to demonstrate high standards of integrity, ability to maintain confidentiality, and operate appropriately in highly sensitive and complex situations. • Enthusiastic, motivated, adaptable, and proactive with the ability to work flexibly in a changing environment. • Ability to challenge self and others, and to offer insights and ideas with practical application. • Business awareness with the ability to understand and analyse changing business context and landscape to assess and manage risk. • Able to demonstrate sound analytical skills and judgement. • Ability to instil confidence within stakeholders, acting as a trusted advisor. Additional information • Understand the linkages and dependencies between the corporate services functions and councils, promoting a culture of teamwork and helping to break down silos if they emerge that prevent the efficient and effective handling of concerns or incidents. • Managing information of the highest sensitivity with appropriate confidentiality. • Maintain excellent working relationships with key stakeholders across UKRI and external bodies to develop a clear understanding of the organisation, to facilitate effective working relationships. Knowledge Knowledge of prevailing governance standards and public sector rules including but not limited to: • Managing Public Money. • Gov 13 Functional Standard on Fraud and all standards that apply to UKRI functional work. • Public Interest Disclosure Act and its implementation. Essential Skills/Qualifications/Experience (S) - Assessed at shortlisting (I) - Assessed at interview (S&I) - Assessed at both shortlisting and interview Experience (S shortlisting, I interview criteria) • Experience in successful delivery of counter fraud investigations in an organisation that have been relied upon to support referral to the Police and used for prosecution. This experience will include review of data, informal interviews as part of a preliminary investigation and where appropriate, the conduct of interviews under caution in compliance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) if the investigation is directed towards possible criminal action (S and I). • Strong experience in successful case handling and effective delivery of workplace investigations in an organisation with results supporting disciplinary action (S and I). • Sound experience of collaborating with senior leaders and being a trusted advisor (S and I). • Ability to constructively challenge established thinking in self and others, and to offer insights and ideas with practical application (S and I). • Experience of working effectively with internal and external agencies relevant to your work experience (S). Qualifications • Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist (ACFS) or equivalent (with commitment to complete upon appointment). Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development (S). About UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) UKRI launched in April 2018, UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Our organisation brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England, which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England, and the UK's innovation agency, Innovate UK. Together we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. More information can be found at www.ukri.org. Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit Benefits of working for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment. How we support EDI in the workforce At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ' How we support EDI in the workforce '. Disability Confident Employer As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. How to apply Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application. UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us. Additional Information Organisation: UKRI - Risk and Assurance Directorate Contract Type: Open Ended External Closing Date: Feb 16, 2025 Minimum Salary: Pound Sterling (GBP) 45,272 Hours: Full-time