NFI Senior Programme Specialist

Apply before 11:55 pm on Wednesday 21st October 2026

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

At the first stage you will be required to complete an online numerical test, if you are successful you will move to the next stage below. The online test should be completed by 21/10/26 by 23:55.

Please submit a CV, Statement of Suitability with answers to the technical questions set out below using no more than 1,250 words.

Across the Statement of Suitability and technical questions you must demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria and any desirable criteria.

Question 1: Motivation & Virtual Collaboration

The National Fraud Initiative (NFI) is a highly impactful, virtual team spread across the UK, tasked with preventing up to £150 million in public sector fraud and error annually. What motivates you to join the PSFA in this specific counter-fraud role, and how have you successfully built strong, inclusive working relationships and collaborated with colleagues in a remote or virtual team environment in your career to date?

Question 2: Technical Data & Project Management

Describe a specific project where you were responsible for extracting, manipulating, or analysing a complex dataset to identify patterns, outliers, or anomalies. Explain the methodology or tools you used, how you managed competing priorities within your team to deliver this work on time, and the tangible outcome of your analysis.

Question 3: Stakeholder Engagement & Maximising Participation

Scenario: As part of the NFI's strategic expansion, you are tasked with onboarding a cluster of new voluntary public and private sector participants who are hesitant to join. They are concerned about compliance under the Data Protection Act, the cost-benefit model and the resources required to investigate data matches.

The Question: How would you prepare and deliver an engagement approach to overcome these objections, build trust, and demonstrate the tangible value of NFI participation to their senior leadership and what information would you use to support your approach?

Applications that do not fully meet these requirements will not be progressed.

At the interview stage you will be assessed against the below behaviours. There will also be a work technical work based test and experience based questions.

• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

Interview location - TBC. Interviews will likely be conducted remotely via Google Meet (formerly known as Hangouts), however we reserve the right to request that the interviews be conducted in person and if so, these would take place in Stoke on Trent.

Expected timeline

Expected sift date - TBD

Expected interview date/s - TBD

CO - Public Sector Fraud Authority

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

• Name : Ricky Reed-Killick
• Email : ricky.reed-killick1@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
• Email : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment campaigns for the Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA) are continuing as usual, but candidates should be aware that following the Government's announcement on the changes to some civil service departments, roles will be subject to the machinery of government move of the PSFA to DWP. We will provide more information on any potential or future impact this will have on office locations and other elements if you are selected to interview. This work remains of high importance to the civil service, and we thank you for your continued interest.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements 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 generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Cabinet Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the 'Assistance required' section in the 'Additional requirements' page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland/Access NI on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction..

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.
If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service at: cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.
If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: info@csc.gov.uk.
For further information on the Recruitment Principles, and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.