Business and administration
Public sector compliance investigator and officer
Understanding, investigating and negotiating with individuals and organisations who, by accident or with intent, may not be complying with or are deliberately evading regulation or law.
Summary
This occupation is found in supervisory and regulatory organisations and authorities across the public sector, who monitor and investigate levels of compliance. This occupation is distinct to the public sector, as only the government can apply civil and criminal penalties, or pursue public prosecutions. Compliance staff need to understand, investigate and negotiate with individuals and organisations who, by accident or with intent, may not be complying with or are deliberately evading regulation or law.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to protect the UK’s public interest, money and services, driving improved customer compliance that supports the honest majority who meet their obligations and makes it hard for the dishonest minority, identifying potential acts of criminality and supporting civil or criminal proceedings. This raises standards of compliance across the UK, treating everybody fairly and with respect, applying the law impartially with integrity and honesty. In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with colleagues, working independently with a team of Compliance officers and investigators, reporting to a senior manager. Employees liaise with other specialists and professions, including policy and legal teams. They will interact with customers that range from individuals to large corporate organisations, identifying and investigating possible or apparent anomalies in documentation or other sources of evidence.
Employees may also interact with 3rd party agencies in order to support their work, such as local authorities or law enforcement agencies, as well as representing their organisation at tribunals or in court. An employee in this occupation will be responsible for conducting risk-based compliance checks and investigations by applying appropriate legislation, case law, policy and procedure, so that casework can be carried out with integrity and minimal opportunity for technical error. They will work independently to obtain evidence through various fact-finding methodologies, which may range from reviewing documents to contentious interviews. They will exercise judgement and discretion within specified parameters to test credibility and will make evidence-based decisions and recommendations, including when to escalate an issue, and to whom. Compliance officers and investigators will make recommendations and judgements within defined parameters, obtaining authority to proceed from a Senior Manager for decisions that fall outside those parameters.
Typical job titles include
- Assistant inspector | Casework investigator | Compliance invesigator | Compliance manager | Compliance officer | Regulatory officer
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
K1:
Legislation, policies and procedures Understands the basic principles of the relevant legal framework, powers and legislation and how these apply to their role. Understands the relevance and appropriate application of organisational polices (such as employee code of conduct and relevant policies concerning information technology and data governance). Understands how relevant Data Protection and Freedom of Information legislation applies to the role and the organisation, and the potential impact on investigations.
K2:
Analysing and Interpreting Data Understands the range of potential data and other information sources; knows how to use them to make informed judgements. Understands how to prepare and present findings in relation to irregularities in data.
K3:
Commercial/Sector Understanding Awareness of the range of business types within their sector, how they are structured and managed and (if appropriate) financed. Understands how these affect business behaviour, and knows how to use this knowledge to identify risk.
K4:
Ethical Standards Understands the ethical standards that the organisation and sector requires of its employees and the implications of these for the role
K5:
Systems and Processes Understands the systems, tools and processes used in the role, and how these impact on their team, and their wider organisation.
Technical Educational Products
- ST0708: Public sector compliance investigator and officer (Level 3) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0708
- Status:
Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £28,124 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 4111 National government administrative occupations
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 4111/99 National government administrative occupations n.e.c.
- 3520/99 Legal associate professionals n.e.c.
- 3581/09 Trading standards officers
- 4112/99 Local government administrative occupations n.e.c.
S1:
Application of technical knowledge Progresses and resolves technical queries by applying the relevant legislation and powers. Apply relevant organisational policies to all elements of work Effectively applies relevant Data Protection and Freedom of Information legislation and identifies the potential impact on investigations, the role and the organisation.
S2:
Analysing and Interpreting Data Gather, examine and analyse customer records/data/information from a number of sources to identify potential inaccuracies, anomalies and non-compliance. Uses an investigative approach to establish the facts. Identifies, collects, retains and disseminates evidence in a correct and lawful manner. Handles sensitive information securely. Ensure all records relating to investigations are accurate and comprehensive.
S3:
Commercial/Sector Insights Delivers effective risk management and compliance by recognising and applying relevant insight knowledge regarding the business types within their sector (including how businesses are structured, managed and (if appropriate) financed.
S4:
Team Working and Collaboration Maintains effective, professional working relationships both internally and externally across organisations. Builds and maintains new partner/stakeholder relationships with those involved in investigations to achieve progress on objectives, key initiatives and shared interests.
S5:
Decision Making Uses effective problem solving techniques to make well-informed judgements/decisions Uses information from a range of sources to determine the appropriate course of action, escalating decisions to senior managers when appropriate.
S6:
Workload management Applies organisational quality standards in order to deliver effective outcomes. Plans and prioritises activity accordingly in line with organisational key performance indicators. Co-ordinates the structure and sequence of workload activities to effectively manage competing demands
S7:
Assessing Compliance Risk Applies knowledge of customer's business and activities to identify risk Identifies the proximity/extent of risk and address risks with an appropriate response to bring cases/investigations to conclusion. Uses organisational risk assessment methodologies as tools to support compliance/investigation Plans and undertakes interventions that target and are proportionate to the identified risk Uses reflective and independent thinking to identify the logical connection between business policies and compliance regulations Thinks creatively to generate solutions to unique compliance issues.
S8:
Communication Presents fact based evidence to customers/third parties in ways that they can understand in order to progress case/issue. Drafts concise, clear and accurate reports; writes clear and concise letters, e-mails and other items of correspondence Recognises all stakeholders (both internal and external) and demonstrates appropriate professional communication and engagement methods Recognises discrepancies and gaps in information and uses a range of questioning techniques to clarify and extract as much detail as possible
S9:
Negotiation and Conflict Management Uses diplomacy and tact appropriately to mediate and reconcile different points of view or resolve problems Manages conflict and handles dissension calmly and confidently Explains and defends their point of view; thinks clearly and rapidly under pressure and uncertainty Demonstrates confidence and resilience when faced with tough situations (for example when dealing with external agencies such as regulators)
S10:
Leadership Demonstrates drive and enthusiasm for developing own compliance capability and that of others Engages with and inspires others to be the best Communicates goals clearly and instils in others a desire to assist in implementing them
S11:
Problem Solving Identifies problems, devises alternatives, evaluates alternatives and then implements the most viable solutions Combines innovative and analytical thinking to address problems and identify solutions Demonstrates tenacity and persistence to resolve the problem to the mutual satisfaction of all concerned
S12:
IT Skills Uses appropriate organisational technology with confidence to meet the diverse needs of customers and stakeholders
Technical Educational Products
- ST0708: Public sector compliance investigator and officer (Level 3) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0708
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £28,124 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 4111 National government administrative occupations
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 4111/99 National government administrative occupations n.e.c.
- 3520/99 Legal associate professionals n.e.c.
- 3581/09 Trading standards officers
- 4112/99 Local government administrative occupations n.e.c.
B1:
Ethics, Integrity and Discretion Demonstrates honesty and sincerity and is trustworthy in their actions. Clearly demonstrates the desire to do the right thing, displaying tact and diplomacy in their dealings with others. Maintains appropriate confidentiality at all times. Puts the obligations of public service above their own personal interests.
B2:
Professional Effectiveness Continuously develops their professional capability to meet the needs of the business and its customers. Effectively manages their time, workload and priorities to deliver a quality service. Resolves problems and adapts to new situations. Develops and shares their professional expertise to build the capability of colleagues within their team
B3:
Receptive and Responsive Changes behavioural style or method of approach when necessary to achieve a goal; adjusts style as appropriate to the needs of the situation. Responds to change with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn new ways to accomplish work activities and objectives.
B4:
Inquisitive and Challenging Employs a healthy and positive scepticism when gathering and analysing information or in dealings with stakeholders or customer to verify the accuracy of their records and integrity of their actions
Technical Educational Products
- ST0708: Public sector compliance investigator and officer (Level 3) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0708
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £28,124 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 4111 National government administrative occupations
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 4111/99 National government administrative occupations n.e.c.
- 3520/99 Legal associate professionals n.e.c.
- 3581/09 Trading standards officers
- 4112/99 Local government administrative occupations n.e.c.