Internal Investigations Officer

Civic Recruitment Limited | Contract

Internal Investigations Officer

Lambeth, United Kingdom | Posted on 12/11/2026

• City Lambeth




• Province Lambeth




• Country United Kingdom




• Postal Code SE1

About Us

At Civic Recruitment and Limited, we know that individuals are more than just fixed expenses; they are the cornerstone of every thriving organisation. That’s why we are passionate about transforming recruitment in the public and private sectors.

In the modern job market, organisations in both public and private sectors face significant workforce challenges. Public sector entities, such as local councils and central government departments, often struggle with lengthy recruitment processes, limited access to qualified candidates, and stringent budgetary and regulatory constraints. Private sector businesses, on the other hand, encounter high turnover rates, difficulties managing a mix of permanent and temporary staff, and challenges in sourcing specialised talent for niche industries. These sector-specific obstacles, coupled with the universal complexities of payroll management, create a pressing need for efficient workforce solutions. Civic Recruitment Limited addresses these challenges with innovative recruitment and payroll solutions tailored for diverse organisational needs. Recognising the critical hurdles organisations face, the company leverages its expertise to streamline processes, reduce recruitment times, and alleviate administrative burdens. With an extensive database of over 1 million pre‑screened candidates, Civic Recruitment Limited is well-positioned to cater to the specific needs of both public and private sectors.

Job Description

6 Month Contract With A Local Authority

Job Purpose

To lead and undertake investigations into allegations of fraud, bribery, corruption, misconduct and financial irregularities affecting the Council, ensuring effective prevention, detection and enforcement action where appropriate.

The postholder will manage complex investigations involving employees, contractors, members and external parties, provide specialist counter‑fraud advice across the organisation, support legal proceedings and contribute to the development of a strong anti‑fraud culture. The role requires extensive investigative experience, strong analytical skills and the ability to work independently on sensitive and high‑profile cases.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and manage investigations into:

• Internal Fraud




• External Fraud




• Bribery & Corruption




• Misconduct




• Malpractice




• Assess referrals and determine suitability for formal investigation.




• Gather, analyse and evaluate evidence.




• Conduct Interviews Under Caution in accordance with relevant legislation.




• Undertake criminal and civil investigations.




• Prepare cases for prosecution, disciplinary action, civil recovery and other sanctions.




• Assist with covert investigations where appropriate and legally permissible.




• Investigate breaches of Council policies, procedures and codes of conduct.




• Identify weaknesses in internal controls and recommend improvements.




• Support fraud prevention, detection and deterrence initiatives.




• Promote an effective anti‑fraud culture across the Council.




• Act as lead officer for identity verification and identity fraud matters.

Legal & Regulatory Responsibilities

Ensure investigations comply with:

• Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE)




• Criminal and Civil Evidence Requirements




• Prepare witness statements, case files and evidential reports.




• Liaise with Legal Services regarding prosecutions and recovery actions.

Represent the Council at:

• Criminal Courts




• Disciplinary Hearings




• Provide evidence as an expert witness when required.

Advisory & Support Services

• Provide specialist fraud investigation advice to managers and officers.




• Support colleagues investigating suspected internal fraud cases.




• Provide guidance on fraud prevention and control measures.




• Assist management teams in responding to suspected fraud incidents.




• Deliver fraud awareness and fraud prevention training.

Reporting & Performance Management

• Produce detailed investigation reports and recommendations.




• Present findings clearly to senior managers and stakeholders.




• Develop remediation plans and recommendations for service improvements.




• Monitor outcomes and implementation of recommendations.
  
• Maintain accurate records, statistics and management information.

Partnership Working

Develop effective working relationships with:

• Police




• HMRC




• SFIS




• Immigration Services




• Legal Services




• Internal Audit Teams




• Partner Organisations




• Facilitate multi‑agency investigations where appropriate.




• Act as the Council's key contact for National Fraud Initiative (NFI) activities.




• Coordinate NFI data matching exercises and fraud prevention activity.

Team Support & Development

• Provide coaching, mentoring and support to junior investigation staff.




• Assist with service improvement projects and initiatives.




• Support the continuous development of investigation procedures and practices.




• Contribute to operational planning and workload management.

Requirements

• Significant experience undertaking fraud, financial crime or corporate investigations.

Experience investigating:

• Internal Fraud




• Misconduct




• Corruption




• Bribery

Knowledge of:

• Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE)




• Criminal Investigation Procedures




• Civil Recovery Processes




• Fraud Prevention and Detection Techniques




• Evidence Gathering Requirements




• Experience conducting Interviews Under Caution.




• Experience preparing cases for prosecution or disciplinary proceedings.




• Experience producing detailed investigation reports.




• Strong analytical and investigative skills.




• Experience assessing internal controls and identifying fraud risks.




• Excellent report writing, communication and presentation skills.




• Ability to manage complex and sensitive investigations independently.




• Experience working with legal teams and enforcement agencies.




• Strong stakeholder management and problem‑solving skills.




• Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist (ACFS) qualification or equivalent.




• Local Authority Counter Fraud experience.




• Experience acting as NFI lead contact.




• Experience managing covert investigations.




• Experience delivering fraud awareness training.