Serious Fraud Office Heads of Division candidate information pack

Transcription

1 Serious Fraud Office Heads of Division candidate information pack Contents Welcome 2 Background to the Serious Fraud Office 3 About the Roles: Core Requirements 6 Specific Requirements 7 Person Specification 8 The Recruitment Process 9 Indicative Timeline 9 Eligibility 10 Security Clearance 10 Conflicts of Interest 10 Equality and Diversity 10 Civil Service Commission s Recruitment Principles/Appeals 11 Terms, Conditions and Benefits 12 Contact us 12 1

2 Thank you for your interest in these roles at the Serious Fraud Office David Green CB QC Director of the Serious Fraud Office Biography I was appointed Director of the Serious Fraud Office on a four-year contract starting in April Since then I have been re-appointed on a two year contract starting in April I was called to the Bar in 1979, appointed Recorder in 1996 and took silk in After 25 years of prosecuting and defending at the Criminal Bar, I was appointed the first Director of the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office in April 2005 until the department was merged with the Crown Prosecution Service in January I then returned to the Bar in April 2011 prior to this appointment at the SFO. Thank you for showing an interest in these senior roles within the SFO. These are important operational leadership roles, which are all excellent opportunities for those looking to take on challenging and rewarding roles in shaping and delivering on our ambition to achieve the best value for the taxpayer in pursuance of justice. There are 4 Head of Division roles available, all of which require the ability to provide strategic direction and operational management expertise to deliver in a demanding environment. You will give leadership and guidance to your teams whilst actively managing divisional budgets and resources in order to ensure the successful delivery of strategic organisational objectives. There is the potential for further external work in the form of contribution to cross-whitehall initiatives, and public speaking events. As part of the SFO's senior management team, you will be a full member of the Executive Group and will share responsibility and accountability for strategic decision making. You should have a strong team ethic and visibly promote, encourage and embrace individual differences. This is an exciting and critical time to join the Serious Fraud Office, working in a demanding environment, these roles require the ability to lead and manage across a range of operational and corporate issues whilst building and maintaining effective relationships with very senior stakeholders. The successful candidate will have a strong track record of resource and stakeholder management, and the ability to act as a credible leader. The SFO is committed to promoting equality and valuing diversity. Building a diverse senior team at the SFO is important to us. We need people from different backgrounds with different perspectives, in order to approach the same challenges in different ways. We are committed to ensuring that every talented, committed and hard-working person has the opportunity to rise to the top, whatever their background and whoever they are. So, if you have the skills, experience and enthusiasm for this work and feel excited by the prospect I look forward to receiving your application. 2

3 Background to the Serious Fraud Office The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is a specialist prosecuting authority tackling the top level of serious or complex fraud, bribery and corruption. We are part of the UK criminal justice system covering England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but not Scotland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands. We take on a small number of large economic crime cases. In considering whether to take on an investigation, the Director of the SFO applies his Statement of Principle, which includes consideration of: whether the apparent criminality undermines UK PLC commercial or financial interests in general and in the City of London in particular, whether the actual or potential financial loss involved is high, whether actual or potential economic harm is significant, whether there is a significant public interest element, and whether there is new species of fraud We also pursue criminals for the financial benefit they have made from their crimes, and assist overseas jurisdictions with their investigations into serious and complex fraud, bribery and corruption cases. We are unusual in the UK in that we both investigate and prosecute our cases. We were set up this way because these kinds of cases are complicated. We have multi-disciplinary case teams of lawyers, investigators, forensic accountants, external counsel and other experts, led by a Case Controller. This joint investigatory/prosecutorial case-team structure is known as the Roskill model. The SFO was created and given its powers under the Criminal Justice Act 1987 and was established in Read more about our history and powers here. The SFO is superintended by the Attorney General in accordance with a protocol which sets out the relationship between the Attorney and the Law Officers Departments. 3

4 Our People The SFO s strategy is set by the Board which comprises the Director, General Counsel, Chief Operating Officer and the three Non-Executive Directors. The board is supported by an Executive Group consisting of the Director, three Non-Executive Directors, and the senior management team. Our Director is David Green CB QC. Our Non-Executive Directors are Simon Duckworth OBE DL, Tony Osbaldiston and Ruth Evans. At the end of April 2017, we had a full time equivalent of around 400 permanent staff, supplemented by approximately 100 temporary staff. When we take on very big cases we expand our capacity with temporary and fixed term staff. Our staff includes investigators, lawyers, forensic accountants, analysts, digital forensics experts, trainee investigators and a variety of other people in specialist and support roles. 4

5 Funding & Budget The SFO has a core budget which is supplemented as necessary by additional funding agreed with the Treasury. This includes blockbuster funding, which enables us to take on very big cases where the annual expenditure is expected to exceed an agreed percentage of our core budget. The core funding for 2016/17 was 35.7m and with the addition of blockbuster funding the SFO s budget was 53.6 for the year. The Bigger Picture The SFO works with other law enforcement partners to tackle the challenges faced from serious and organised crime in line with the Government s Serious and Organised Crime Strategy. In particular we work closely with: The National Crime Agency s Economic Crime Command, International Corruption Unit and Bribery and Corruption Intelligence Unit The City of London Police, including its Economic Crime Directorate, Action Fraud, and the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau UK police forces and Regional Organised Crime Units HM Revenue & Customs The Financial Conduct Authority The SFO also works collaboratively with UK Government departments, including our superintending department, the Attorney General s Office, the Home Office and Ministry of Justice, and with overseas partners, such as the US Department of Justice, on matters where there is a common interest. About Our Cases The SFO has around 60 live criminal cases under investigation and before the courts at any given time. Not all will be in the public domain. They usually: Involve activity in many countries Involve alleged criminals who go to great lengths to hide their activity and the money they make from it Require analysis of very large quantities of information Take longer than normal criminal cases to investigate and prosecute 5

6 About the Roles Core requirements of all roles Job title: Head of Division Salary: The salary for these posts is set within the Senior Civil Service (SCS) Payband 1 range, 64, ,800 per annum. Candidates can expect to receive approximately 80,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience. Standard pay rules apply for existing Civil Servants. Heads of Division are expected to be subject matter experts in the designated divisional area, providing strategic direction and operational expertise to a number of top tier, complex fraud and corruption cases. The postholders will give leadership and guidance to Case Controllers and their teams, whilst actively managing divisional budgets and resources in order to ensure the successful delivery of strategic organisational objectives. As part of the SFO s senior management team, the post-holders will be full members of the Executive Group and will share responsibility and accountability for strategic decision making. There will be a requirement for travel both across the UK and overseas; staying overnight as and when necessary. Key Responsibilities Providing leadership and strategic direction to case controllers and multidisciplinary teams in order to engender successful outcomes that are aligned with the overarching business objectives. Accountable for the efficient management and control of divisional resources (financial and staffing), ensuring that they are governed efficiently and in line with agreed priorities, and so that public money is safeguarded at all times. Engaging with external stakeholders and building mutually beneficial relationships across Government, legal bodies, judiciary and the private sector in support of the organisation s business plan and to enhance its reputational standing. Operating as a key member of the Executive Group and senior leadership team, acting corporately to ensure that resources are effectively deployed to deliver the department s strategic objectives. Reviewing, developing and formulating policy and operational strategy as part of the senior leadership team, ensuring that the organisation is effectively positioned to deliver its objectives in a highly politicised and changeable environment. Managing divisional performance to ensure a consistently high quality of delivery, meeting performance targets in line with agreed standards and guidelines. Collaborating with senior colleagues to define and oversee the delivery of programmes that aim to raise the overall capability and performance of the organisation s people. 6

7 Specific Requirements Head of Operational Division (x 2 vacancies) The Heads of Operational Divisions are accountable to the Director for the development of investigations and prosecutions within the post-holder s divisional remit. They are also responsible for assuming the lead role as Subject Matter Expert for an operational division, providing professional expertise and guidance to support the decision-making of case controllers in a number of fraud and corruption cases Head of Strategy and Policy Division (S&PD) The Head of S&PD has a wide remit, responsible for developing operational training, external relations including the Communications team, Parliamentary matters, FOI, Data Protection requests and supporting the Director in his delivery of SFO strategy and policy. The post holder will co-ordinate cross Whitehall and law enforcement liaison and external engagements for the Division, Senior Management Team and other SFO staff. The post holder will be expected to build a close working relationship with the Attorney General s Office, HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate, other departments and relevant international agencies. Head of Proceeds of Crime & International Assistance Division (IPOC) The Head of IPOC provides strategic direction and operational expertise to all our Proceeds of Crime and International Assistance work. The post-holder will give leadership and guidance to the POC Accredited Financial Investigators and POC lawyers to undertake particularly sensitive cases to fulfil the SFO strategic plans in relation to the Proceeds of Crime and Asset Recovery. This includes conducting parallel confiscation investigations, obtaining and policing restraint orders, conducting contempt of court proceedings in appropriate circumstances and obtaining confiscation orders. The International Assistance Unit (IAU) is an operational team that sits within the Proceeds of Crime Division and handles the incoming and outgoing requests for mutual legal assistance. 7

8 Person Specification Essential Criteria Candidates must be able to demonstrate the following: Significant experience as a lawyer or senior investigator of bribery and corruption or fraud cases Considerable knowledge of the criminal justice system and the ability to manage legal risk Demonstrable experience of working at a senior level within a complex, multi strand legal or investigative environment Experience of budget management and resource allocation Demonstrable leadership skills, including experience of leading large, multidisciplinary teams Proven experience of effectively handling the expectations of external stakeholders Evidence of commitment to promoting and improving equality and diversity within the workplace Desirable Criteria Whilst not essential, the below will be considered beneficial: Significant experience of one of the following: 1. investigating or prosecuting serious economic crime 2. confiscation and proceeds of crime work 3. strategy and policy work across Whitehall, the Criminal Justice sector and with international agencies Broad experience of operating at a strategic level within a professional environment Successful track record in senior positions including considerable experience of complex casework Professional qualifications 8

9 The Recruitment Process How to Apply To apply for a Head of Division vacancy, please click on the green Apply Now button on the advert. As part of the application process you will be required to provide: A CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and key achievements A personal statement explaining how your skills and experience will benefit the SFO and how you meet each of the essential and, if appropriate, desirable criteria. Please identify within your personal statement which of the roles you would prefer to be considered for. Your application will be considered across all 4 opportunities but you should indicate your preference. The sift stage The candidates selected for interview will be those who have clearly demonstrated that they meet the essential criteria for the roles. The selection panel will be Alun Milford, SFO General Counsel; Mark Thompson, SFO Chief Operating Officer and an independent panellist to be confirmed (external to the SFO). Please note that it will not be possible to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants at the sift stage. The interview and assessment stage Candidates that are successful at sift will be invited to attend an interview comprising a mixture of strength and competency based questions. The key competencies candidates will be assessed against are: Seeing the Big Picture Making Effective Decisions Leading and Communicating Building Capability For All Delivering Value For Money Further information about the Civil Competency Framework can be found here. Candidates will be required to prepare a ten minute presentation to be delivered at their interview, on a subject that will be provided when they are invited to interview. Candidates will be invited to attend a practical exercise to assess leadership and communication skills. Candidates must pass both the interview and assessment to be successful. Further details of what to expect at interview and assessment, including location, will be made available to candidates who are successful at sift. Indicative Timeline Please note that all dates are indicative and subject to change. If you are unable to meet these timeframes, please let us know when you submit your application. Advert Closing Date: midnight Monday 03 July Sifting: July Interview and Assessment: September 2017 Interviews and assessments will take place in Central London. Specific venue and dates to be confirmed. 9

10 Eligibility: The post is open to people in the external market, and to existing Civil Servants and those in accredited Non Departmental Public Bodies who meet the essential criteria. To be eligible for employment you must be a national from the following countries: The United Kingdom The Republic of Ireland The Commonwealth* A European Economic Area (EEA) Member State Switzerland Turkey Certain family members of EEA, Switzerland and Turkish nationals are also eligible to apply regardless of their nationality. (*Commonwealth citizens not yet in the UK, who have no right of abode in the UK and who do not have leave to enter the UK are ineligible to apply.) Security Clearance: As a condition of appointment, successful candidates must hold or be willing to obtain security clearance to Developed Vetting (DV) clearance level before taking up post. Conflicts of Interest: Candidates must note the requirement to declare any interests they may have that might cause questions to be raised about their approach to the business of the SFO. They are required to declare any relevant business interests, shareholdings, and positions of authority, retainers, consultancy arrangements or other connections with commercial, public or voluntary bodies, both for themselves and for their spouses/partners. The successful candidate will be required to give up any conflicting interests and his/her other business and financial interests may be published. Equality and Diversity: The SFO is committed to equality of opportunity and diversity in all its employment practices, policies and procedures. This means that no employee or potential employee will receive less favourable treatment due to their race, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, religion and belief, gender or marital status. We are committed to the employment and career development of people with disabilities. To demonstrate our commitment we display the following symbol on all our adverts. As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we have committed to: Ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible Communicate and promote vacancies Offer an interview to disabled people Anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments as required Support any existing employee who acquires a disability or long term health condition, enabling them to stay in work At least one activity that will make a difference for disabled people. 10

11 We guarantee an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum selection criteria/competencies for the post. By minimum criteria we mean that you must provide us with evidence in your application form that you meet the level of competence required for each competency as well as meeting any of the qualifications, skills or experience defined as essential. For further details of the Guaranteed Interview Scheme, click here: To apply under the Scheme, simply complete the relevant section on the application form. If you require any assistance or any adjustments to be made at the interview, please inform a member of the recruitment team in advance at hr@sfo.gsi.gov.uk. Civil Service Commission s Recruitment Principles Selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission s Recruitment Principles. The Civil Service Commission has two primary functions: More detailed information can be found at the Civil Service Commission website Whilst there is no appeal against the selection decision, individuals have a right to appeal if they feel that the principles of appointment on merit through fair and open competition and the Civil Service Commissioners recruitment principles have not been met. You should initially raise your grievance with the SFO s Head of HR. You should receive a response back within 14 days. Head of HR Serious Fraud Office 2-4 Cockspur Street London SW1Y 5BS If, after an internal appeal, you still believe that the Civil Service Commissioners Principles have not been met, then you can contact the Commission directly: Complaints should be sent in writing to: Civil Service Commission Room G08 1 Horse Guards Road London SW1A 2HQ info@csc.gsi.gov.uk 11

12 Terms, Conditions and Benefits Appointment: This is a permanent appointment. However a fixed term appointment or secondment arrangement may be considered. Applications from candidates wishing to work full-time, part-time or with flexible working arrangements (including job share arrangements) will be considered Location: London. Some travel may be required. Relocation and home to office costs will not be reimbursed. Salary Range: The post is at SCS payband 1 level. The salary range is to 117,800. Pay awards are made in line with current Civil Service pay arrangements. Staff applying on promotion will usually be appointed to the salary minimum or within 10% of existing salary. Individuals appointed on level transfer will retain their existing salary. Pension: Option to join the Civil Service pension scheme, which is a defined benefit scheme. For further details, click here Leave Allowance: A generous annual leave provision of 25 days which increases to 30 days after five years service plus an additional day in recognition of the Queen s Birthday and the option to buy or sell up to five days leave per year. Different terms may apply if you are already a Civil Servant. The allowance is pro-rated for part-time staff. Other Benefits: We offer flexible working arrangements and family-friendly policies including: Maternity and paternity leave provision over and above the statutory entitlements Interest-free season travel ticket, bicycle loan and cycle to work scheme Access to the Rental Deposit Salary Advance Scheme which assists employees in meeting the costs of deposits for privately rented homes Voucher for eyecare and discounted spectacles Salary sacrifice childcare voucher scheme Flexible working arrangements and family-friendly policies Access to a range of savings and discounts offered via the My CPS Rewards programme Access to a range of discounts through membership of the Civil Service Sports and Social Club, CSSC Sports and Leisure Contacting the Serious Fraud Office Serious Fraud Office 2-4 Cockspur Street London SW1Y 5BS Telephone: +44 (0) (Resourcing enquiries): hr@sfo.gsi.gov.uk V3 June