Fraud Investigation Officer (Covert)

Are you experienced in foot and mobile surveillance in the context of criminal investigations, including recent experience in a Covert Investigation role or similar post? Do you want to further enhance your skills in a role where you can help safeguard vital resources for the people of Scotland who need them? If so, we would really like to hear from you.

Everyone in Scotland should have the support they need to live their life, and we believe they should be able to get it when and where they need it. That’s why Social Security Scotland has been built around the people of Scotland. Fraud is unfortunately a known risk in the benefits being devolved, and an appropriate and proportionate response has been established. While our strategy is to design out opportunities for fraud through preventative measures where possible, there remains the possibility that it will still occur. To respond to this, we have implemented Counter Fraud functions, including the use of covert tactics, to detect fraud and recover any associated loss.

This role offers the opportunity to contribute directly by submitting applications for and carrying out directed surveillance in accordance with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000 (RIPSA) legislation, for the purpose of proving or disproving fraud allegations, utilising foot and mobile surveillance. Thereafter you will also document all surveillance activity and retain surveillance footage in accordance with retention policies, to ensure the security and integrity of its content to support potential criminal proceedings. You will be comfortable in a changing environment and enjoy working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to provide assistance, identify opportunities for improvements, and explore new ideas and solutions.

To be successful in this post, you must have extensive, recent operational experience in a surveillance team involved in criminal investigations. You will also require a good working knowledge of RIPSA legislation and experience submitting surveillance applications supporting the use of covert tactics. You must hold a valid UK driving licence and be willing to undertake a specialist driver training course relative to the role, as well as additional surveillance training to complement your existing skills and experience.

Due to the nature of the role a high degree of flexibility is required, including out of hours working, working at weekends/public holidays and overnight stays. This role is based out of Glasgow however there is an expectation for travel across Scotland from the Glasgow base office.

Responsibilities

• Carrying out static, foot and mobile surveillance, maintaining operational surveillance logs and using covert recording equipment to gather evidence during authorised directed surveillance.
• Working closely with fraud investigators and other internal and external stakeholders in relation to covert activities conducted under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000 RIPSA.
• Submit the relevant surveillance applications under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000 RIPSA.
• Carrying out risk assessments related to surveillance activity, with responsibility for the application and management of Directed Surveillance Authorities.
• Assisting in the preparation and planning of surveillance operations and participation in subsequent briefing and debriefing sessions.
• Being responsible for the storage, retention and destruction of surveillance products in line with data protection policies.
• Assisting with the collation of all surveillance products to support investigations and subsequent related court proceedings.
• Other ad hoc duties relevant to the role.

Qualifications

• Full UK Driving Licence – please indicate within your CV whether or not you have a full UK Driving Licence. Candidates who are invited to interview will be required to bring their original driving licence with them.

Success Profiles

We use an assessment framework called ‘Success Profiles’ which lists the elements we test and provides detailed descriptions of each. Find out more about the framework here.

Experience

• Significant operational experience in a surveillance team involved in criminal investigations, including recent experience of foot/mobile surveillance in relation to criminal investigation.
• A good working knowledge of RIPSA legislation and experience submitting surveillance applications supporting the use of covert tactics.

Behaviours

• Communicating and Influencing – Level 3
• Making Effective Decisions – Level 3

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here: Success Profiles – Civil Service Behaviours (publishing.service.gov.uk)

How to Apply

Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 750 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the Success Profiles above.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples 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, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.

Please note that we will be conducting an initial sift on the first Experience mentioned above. Candidates who pass the initial sift will have their applications fully assessed.

If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and job simulation. Interviews and assessments will be held in person.

We aim to provide feedback on request. However, if we receive a large number of applications it may not be possible for us to provide specific feedback on your application. We will provide feedback on request to candidates who attend an interview/assessment.

Expected Timeline

• Sift – From 5th March 2026.
• Interview – w/c 23rd March 2026.
• Location – In person in Glasgow.

Reserve List

In the event that there are more successful candidates than posts available, a reserve list will be kept for up to 9 months.

About Us

Social Security Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. Our benefits help people from all walks of life in Scotland. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that is representative of the clients we serve. Find more about us here.

We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.

As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

Working Pattern

Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options, depending on the needs of the role. We embrace a hybrid working style where all colleagues will spend time in either our Glasgow or Dundee offices.

There is an expectation of 3 to 4 days per week in your assigned location; which will be Glasgow.

In addition to this, the successful candidate will be required to demonstrate flexibility as this role will be Scotland wide and will require out of hours working, working at weekends/public holidays and overnight stays. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.

Security Checks

Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).

You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.

This post also requires the successful candidate to clear additional National Security Vetting clearance (Security Check level) before a start date can be offered. Further information regarding Security Check level clearance can be found here -National Security Vetting: Clearance Levels – GOV.UK

Equality Statement

Social Security Scotland are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.

Social Security Scotland are a Disability Confident Employer. We will consider and implement any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process and during the course of your employment, should you be successful in securing a post. If you feel you may require assistance with any part of our recruitment process, please contact us at recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot

Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer support and recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.

Right to Work in the UK

Social Security Scotland is an approved sponsor under the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Please note that UK immigration guidance, including skill and salary thresholds and eligible occupations, is reviewed regularly and subject to change. If you require visa sponsorship, you should check the latest criteria to confirm whether this role meets current requirements before applying. You can find further advice on Gov.UK – Skilled Worker visa: Overview – GOV.UK

Further Information

The successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 3 years unless successful in gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.

Social Security Scotland’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the recruitment principles of the Civil Service Commissioner, which outline that selection for appointment be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition – Recruitment – Civil Service Commission (independent.gov.uk)

If you feel at any time your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, you can make a complaint, by contacting Social Security Scotland at recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commissioner.

Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.

If you experience any difficulties accessing our website or completing the online application form, please contact the Resourcing Team via recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot

Apply before 23:55 on 3rd March 2026

Contact Name- Kenneth Milne
Contact Email – kenneth.milne@socialsecurity.gov.scot