Investigations, Whistleblowing and Complaints Senior Manager

This is a new role in the organisation bringing together arrangements for managing whistleblowing, complaints, HR-related matters, and counter fraud issues for triage. The Investigations, Whistleblowing and Complaints 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.

The Investigations, Whistleblowing and Complaints Senior Manager will work with the lead and the Investigators to triage concerns that come into UKRI to the right team for action, as well as ensuring that UKRI operates in line with best practice to develop, maintain and deliver a complaints and whistleblowing function covering a range of internal and external mechanisms for raising concerns.

• Triage concerns that come into UKRI from within and outside of the organisation against UKRI policies and process, 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.
• Effectively manage the response to complaints and other correspondence (as necessary) in a timely way and work in partnership with colleagues across UKRI to achieve this. This will include responsibility for a caseload of complaints from initial triage, allocation, and quality assurance of responses.
• Work collaboratively with third parties that may be used to undertake specialist investigation work, to achieve timely and satisfactory outcomes to whistleblowing.

• Business awareness with the ability to understand and analyse changing business context and landscape to assess and manage risk.
• Strong experience in successful case handling and effective delivery of investigations in an organisation.
• Understand the linkages and dependencies between different teams, 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.
• Maintain excellent working relationships with key stakeholders across UKRI and external bodies (for example, the Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman and Public Sector Fraud Authority) to develop a clear understanding of the organisation and to facilitate effective working relationships.
• 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, Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman Complaints Handling Standards.
• Investigations training from an accredited provider or equivalent experience (with commitment to complete upon appointment). Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development.

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package! We are committed to supporting employees’ development and promote a culture of continuous learning!

• 30 days’ annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent)
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities
• Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice
• Flexible working options

Applicants are required to provide an up-to-date CV and a cover letter outlining their suitability for the role. Further information on how to apply is listed on our careers page.