Counter Fraud Officer

Job Details:

Job Reference: HCC624460

Salary Range: £33,178 - £36,369 per annum

Work Location: Elizabeth II Court, Winchester (Hybrid Working)

Hours per week: 37

Contract Type: Permanent 

Closing Date: 31 July 2026

Interview Date: w/c 10 August 2026

Are you a driven and enthusiastic professional with excellent communication skills and experience of managing and controlling work to professional standards? If so, the continued growth of the Counter Fraud Unit within the Southern Internal Audit Partnership (SIAP) means we’re looking for a Counter Fraud Officer to join our team!

The Southern Internal Audit Partnership (SIAP) provide internal audit and counter fraud services to a wide and growing portfolio of public sector partners and clients in the South of England. We pride ourselves on delivering an innovative, customer-focused service aligned to the business needs of our clients and to achieving improved outcomes.

This is reinforced by our recent External Quality Assessment against the Global Internal Audit Standards in the UK Public Sector.

The Role:

You will be responsible for assisting in the delivery of advice, reactive investigations and proactive fraud risk reviews across a portfolio of public sector partners and clients. You will work closely with counter fraud and client managers to identify potential fraud risks, evaluate your findings and report outcomes to the client.

What you’ll do:

Reactive Investigations:

• Investigate less complex allegations of fraud and corruption in relation to non-benefit and corporate fraud in compliance with required procedures, legislation and utilising appropriate investigative techniques.
• Undertake visits across partners as required.
• Gather, record and securely retain evidence in accordance with current legislation, operational requirements and Codes of Practice.
• Maintain to a high standard, a record of each investigation and produce high quality and timely reports.
• Maintain an up-to-date working knowledge of relevant criminal and civil law, legal requirements, criminal investigation procedures,
• criminal prosecution, court procedures and client disciplinary procedures.
• Initiate and maintain liaison with police and other law enforcement agencies, external agencies, legal departments and prosecuting Counsel.
• Be responsible for preparing the appropriate and necessary paperwork to assist internal and external agencies undertaking prosecutions.
• Attend court, give evidence, attend disciplinary boards, review boards or appeal tribunals

Counter Fraud Work:

• Manage and undertake less complex proactive counter fraud work in line with agreed fraud plans or as commissioned ad hoc from within and outside the Partnership’s current cohort of members.
• Assist with the facilitation of the National Fraud Initiative across a range of members within the Partnership cohort.

Training:

• Assist with the provision of general fraud awareness training to all staff members within the SIAP as required by the Global internal audit standards.

Team Working:

• Plan and co-ordinate workloads with other members of the Unit to ensure that fraud plans are achieved within agreed timescales and to high quality standards.

What we’re looking for:

As a Counter Fraud Officer, you will be an Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist (ACFS) or CIPFA Certificate in Investigatory Practice (CCIP), or equivalent (level 4) relevant qualification.

Counter fraud experience is not essential, you will however be able to demonstrate an understanding of the role of counter fraud and have experience of managing and controlling work to professional and quality standards within budgeted deadlines. You will work with experienced colleagues who will support you with your personal development and receive on the job training.

Why join us?

Hampshire County Council is recognised nationally as one of the highest performing local authorities in the UK. A modern, forward-looking local authority, it offers a pleasant, supportive, and collaborative working environment, flexible working opportunities, an excellent work/life balance, a strong emphasis on training and development, professional challenge and variety and a central and well-connected Head Office location in the heart of the city of Winchester.

Our benefits package includes details of the holiday entitlement, pension scheme, flexi-time scheme, family friendly policies and interest free travel loans and discounts. We offer a flexible, motivating and inclusive workplace. We have created an environment that you can look forward to being a part of, where you are empowered to be your best and a workplace built on teamwork where people can grow and develop in their roles.

To maintain a healthy work/life balance you will have the flexibility to work from home or from the office (whilst meeting business needs) in the delivery of your portfolio of work.

We support flexible working patterns (whilst meeting business needs) to enable employees to best shape their working week.

Hampshire County Council is also a flexible employer interested in making the most of your skills and offers a great work life balance.

Additional Information:

Counter Fraud Officer Candidate Pack

Vetting Requirements:

This post is subject to a Criminal Records Check and Non-Police Personnel Vetting. Further information about this process will be provided to successful candidates. 

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Vanessa Anthony, Counter Fraud and Audit Manager on [email protected] or 07927551270, or Nick Barrett, Counter Fraud and Audit Manager on [email protected] or 07712 693692.