Appointment details

NHS Counter Fraud Authority - Non-Executive Directors

Summary

• Organisation: NHS Counter Fraud Authority
• Sponsor department: Department of Health and Social Care
• Location: London
• Sectors: Health and Social Care
• Skills: Social Care
• Number of vacancies: 3
• Time commitment: 3 day(s) per month
• Remuneration: £7,883 per annum
• Length of term: Up to 3 years.
• Application deadline: 11:59am on 22 May 2025

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   25 April 2025

2. Application deadline

   11:59am on 22 May 2025

3. Sifting date

   17 June 2025

4. Interviews expected to end on

   3 July 2025

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction from the Chair

Thank you for your interest in the role of Non-Executive Director of the NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA).

The NHSCFA is a Special Health Authority, tasked to lead the fight against fraud, bribery and corruption in the NHS. We are charged with identifying, investigating and preventing fraud and other economic crime within the NHS and the wider health group. The NHSCFA is independent from other NHS bodies and directly accountable to the Department of Health and Social Care.

We achieve our considerable success by employing experts and leaders in our field, by collaborating and advising with other parts of the NHS, and through empowering all NHS staff to challenge fraud and corruption by putting the interests of the NHS and its patients first.

The NHSCFA works to protect and secure the legitimate use of the NHS budget, which is after all, the public’s money. By preventing, protecting and investigating fraud & corruption effectively, we can safeguard the public purse and assist all resources to be used effectively to provide the public with the healthcare they deserve.

Every penny we protect from the hands of criminals, goes directly to the hospitals, nurses and doctors who provide essential services to us all, and Non-Executive Directors play a key role. You will provide sensitive and appropriate check, challenge and support to the organisation and you will be joining an effective and collaborative Board.

We are looking for individuals who can positively contribute and add value to the Board, whatever background, culture, gender, religion, alternative abilities or experience you have. There is no limit to what we feel can add value. For example; as an investigating and intelligence-based organisation we are interested in AI & digital skills; as the employer of an incredibly dedicated staff body, human resources’ experience is valuable; and as an Authority that coordinates the fraud response nationally, marketing and communication experience could be beneficial to the Board.

If you believe you have the experience and qualities to contribute to our work and the future development of the NHS Counter Fraud Authority, we very much look forward to hearing from you.

Gaon Hart

Interim Chair of the NHSCFA

Appointment description

The Secretary of State wishes to appoint 3 new Non-Executive Directors to the board of the NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA).

As a Non-Executive Director of the NHSCFA, you will be responsible for ensuring the sound governance of the NHSCFA, including ensuring robust and effective systems of financial control and risk management are in place. Along with the non-executive team, you will contribute to the development of the strategy and annual objectives.     

You will also ensure that the NHSCFA promotes the values of the NHS by setting a high standard for ethics and responsible business. You will build, maintain and enhance the NHSCFA’s reputation as an open and independent body that places a high priority upon preventing and detecting fraud and recovering losses where they occur. This will ensure public funds essential to delivering effective patient care, are directed to where they are needed most.     

You will play a key role in ensuring that the organisation is focused on providing excellent services and good value for money and enabling the NHSCFA to contribute to the wider aims of the NHS. You will provide appropriate challenge, scrutiny and support at board level, ensuring the NHSCFA is doing all it can to reduce fraud in the NHS and is meeting its obligations related to the Government Functional Standard GovS 013: Counter Fraud.

Key responsibilities   

Strategy

• Develop and promote the strategic focus of the NHSCFA through constructive debate and challenge at board level  
• Support the maintenance and development of effective relationships with external stakeholders, including member organisations and partner bodies in the health and social care system. Where appropriate, to act as a good ambassador for the NHSCFA  
• Help to strengthen the reputation of the NHSCFA through ensuring that it provides timely and relevant expertise to the NHS 

Performance  

• Ensure the board acts in the best interests of the public and other stakeholders and is fully accountable for the services provided and the expenditure of public funds  
• Set ambitious targets for all aspects of the NHSCFA’s work to ensure that it delivers high quality services, decision making and advice  

People

• Ensure that the NHSCFA has appropriate policies to promote the interests and training of its staff, so that they can provide an excellent service to customers  
• Ensure that the NHSCFA develops and maintains strong working relationships with the Department of Health and Social Care, other health arms-length bodies and other stakeholders at all levels.  

Organisation description

The NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA) is a Special Health Authority. NHSCFA was created under section 28 of the National Health Service Act 2006 and established on 1 November 2017, under The NHS Counter Fraud Authority (Establishment, Constitution, and Staff and Other Transfer Provisions) Order 2017. It carries out the Secretary of State’s counter fraud functions in respect of the health service in England.

With a resource of around 185 full time staff, for the financial year 2025 to 2026 the arms-length body (ALB) received an indicative non-ringfenced revenue budget allocation of £20.193 million. The NHSCFA Strategic Intelligence Assessment 2024 estimates that the NHS in England is vulnerable to fraud loss of up to £1.316 billion.

The NHSCFA Board is responsible for providing strategic leadership for the organisation and ensuring the NHSCFA can account to Parliament and the public on how it delivers its functions. The NHSCFA published its Annual report and Accounts 2023 to 2024 on the 23 July 2024.

The current NHSCFA strategy covers the period of 2023 to 2026. NHSCFA have begun the process of developing a new strategy which will set out the organisation’s priorities for the next 3 years.

Board composition

Board meetings are held at least six times per annum, scheduled to allow the discharge of all its responsibilities. Meetings are held in London, Coventry, or Newcastle & Virtual.

The location of main office is:

Government Hub

10 South Colonnade

Canary Wharf

London

E14 4PU

Regulation of appointment

This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the Commissioner’s website 

Person specification

Essential criteria

• A career record of achievement, with an ability to operate effectively on the board of a high-profile national organisation that operates in a complex system 
• An ability to guide the NHSCFA’s strategic direction with an ability to analyse complex and sometimes conflicting data and to draw balanced conclusions from information presented to you  
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to gain the confidence of senior stakeholders and challenge management recommendations where necessary
• First class team-working skills and the willingness to work in a corporate manner to achieve the NHSCFA’s objectives.

Desirable criteria

• A data/tech, human resources, legal, counter fraud, investigative or accountancy background.

Application and selection process

How to apply

In order to apply you will need to create an account or sign in.

Once you are logged into your account, click on 'apply for this role' and follow the on-screen instructions. To apply, all candidates are required to provide:

• a Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• a supporting statement
• equality information
• information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues

We will ask you to check and confirm your personal details to ensure your application is accurate.

You will also have the opportunity to make a reasonable adjustment request or apply under the disability confident scheme before you submit your application.

Overview of the application process

Public appointments are made on merit following a fair and open competition process which is conducted in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments. We will deal with your application as quickly as possible and will keep you informed at key stages. We aim to conclude the appointment process within three months of the deadline for applications – this is in accordance with the Governance Code.

The assessment process

1. Ministers are responsible and accountable to Parliament for the public appointments made within their department. As a result, they must be consulted at every stage of the appointments process.

2. An Advisory Assessment Panel (“Panel”) is appointed by Ministers to assist them in their decision making. The role of the Panel is to decide, objectively, which candidates meet the eligibility criteria for the role.

3. At the shortlisting meeting the Panel will assess applications against the eligibility criteria and decide which candidates have best met the criteria, who should be recommended for interview. Ministers will then be consulted on the Panel’s recommended shortlist. If you have applied under the Disability Confident Scheme and you meet all the essential criteria, then you will also be invited for an interview.

4. Once the shortlist has been agreed by Ministers, you will be advised (by e-mail) whether you have been shortlisted. Those shortlisted will be invited to an interview.

5. The Panel will meet again to interview candidates and determine who is appointable to the role. The Panel may invite you to make a brief presentation at the start of the interview and will go on to question you about your skills and experience, including asking specific questions to assess whether you meet the criteria set out for the post. The Panel will also explore with you any potential conflicts of interest or any other issues arising from your personal and professional history which may impact on an appointment decision.

6. Details of the panel’s assessment of interviewed candidates are provided to Ministers, including whether they have judged a candidate to be appointable to the role. It is then for Ministers to determine merit and decide who should be appointed. In some circumstances, Ministers may choose not to appoint any candidates and re-run the competition.

7. Ministers may choose to meet with candidates before deciding the outcome. Candidates should therefore be prepared for a short time gap between interview and a final appointment decision being made. Candidates who have been interviewed will be kept informed of progress.

8. Once the decision on the appointment has been made, interviewed candidates will be advised of the outcome of their application, including whom they may approach for feedback. Successful candidates will be issued with their Terms & Conditions and a letter of appointment should they agree to take up the position.

Further information about appointments, including tips on applying, can be found on our guidance pages on gov.uk.

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

Advisory Assessment Panels (AAP) are chosen by ministers to assist them in their decision-making. These include a departmental official and an independent member. For competitions recruiting non-executive members of a board (apart from the Chair), the panel will usually include a representative from the public body concerned.

AAP’s perform a number of functions, including agreeing an assessment strategy with ministers, undertaking sifting, carrying out interviews in line with the advertised criteria and deciding objectively who meets the published selection criteria for the role before recommending to ministers which candidates they find appointable. It is then for the minister to decide who to appoint to the role.

The panel will include:

• Sean Byrne, Deputy Director, Head of Counter Fraud, as panel chair
• Chair Designate of the NHSCFA
• Catharine Seddon, ARC Chair of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), as an independent panel member

Eligibility criteria

In general, you should have the right to work in the UK to be eligible to apply for a public appointment.

There are a small number of specialist roles that are not open to non-British citizens. Any nationality requirements will be specified in the vacancy details.

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. 

You cannot be considered for a public appointment if:

• you are disqualified from acting as a company director  (under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986);

• have an unspent conviction on your criminal record;

• your estate has been sequestrated in Scotland or you enter into a debt arrangement programme under Part 1 of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 17) as the debtor or have, under Scots law, granted a trust deed for creditors.

When you apply, you should declare if:

• you are, or have been, bankrupt or you have made an arrangement with a creditor at any point, including the dates of this. 

• you are subject to a current police investigation.

You must inform the sponsor department if, during the application process, your circumstances change in respect of any of the above points. 

When you apply you should also declare any relevant interests, highlighting any that you think may call into question your ability to properly discharge the responsibilities of the role you are applying for. You should also declare any other matters which may mean you may not be able to meet the requirements of the Code of Conduct of Board Members (see Outside interests and reputational issues section below)

If you need further advice, please contact Millie Simpson at millie.simpson@dhsc.gov.uk or 0207 210 5501.

Security clearance

The successful candidate will be required to undertake Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks in line with the Civil Service guidelines. Additional Security Clearance may also be required for certain roles. However, where this applies, candidates will be notified during the appointment process. Further information on National Security Vetting can be found on the Gov.uk website here.

The Department of Health and Social Care also requires all those appointed by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to public appointments, to be a fit and proper person, comparable with the requirements placed on board members in the NHS. As such, the successful candidate will be required to undertake security checks to ensure that you meet these requirements. For more information see the Candidate information pack. 

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 

This post is subject to an exception order under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This stipulates that all previous convictions, including those that are ‘spent’ must be declared. Previous convictions will not necessarily preclude an individual from employment but must be declared in writing at the appropriate stage during the recruitment process. The post holder must hold or be prepared to undergo Security Clearance vetting.

Additional information for candidates

Equality and diversity

We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. Boards of public bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of views of the society they serve and this is an important part of the Government’s levelling up agenda.

We collect data about applicants’ characteristics and backgrounds, including information about people’s educational and professional backgrounds, so that we can make sure we are attracting a broad range of people to these roles and that our selection processes are fair for everyone. Without this information, it makes it difficult to see if our outreach is working, if the application process is having an unfair impact on certain groups and whether changes are making a positive difference.

When you submit your application, your responses are collected by the Cabinet Office and the government department(s) managing your application. The data is used to produce management information about the diversity of applicants. You can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be seen by the Advisory Assessment Panel who review applications against the advertised criteria and conduct interviews.

Disability confident

We are a member of the Government’s Disability Confident scheme. We use the Disability Confident scheme symbol, along with other like-minded employers, to show our commitment to good practice in employing people with a disability. The scheme helps recruit and retain disabled people. As part of implementing the scheme, we guarantee an interview for anyone with a disability whose application meets the essential criteria for the role, set out in the advert, and who has asked that their application is considered under the scheme. Indicating that you wish your application to be considered under the scheme will in no way prejudice your application. By ‘essential criteria', we mean that you must provide evidence which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required under each of the essential criteria, as set out in the job-advert. When you apply you will have the opportunity to select if you would like your application considered under this scheme.

Reasonable adjustments

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to make sure applicants with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, or other needs are not substantially disadvantaged when applying for public appointments. This can include changing the recruitment process to enable people who wish to apply to do so.

Some examples of common changes are:

• ensuring that application forms are available in different or accessible formats;
• making adaptations to interview locations;
• allowing candidates to present their skills and experience in a different way;
• giving additional detailed information on the selection / interview process in advance to allow candidates time to prepare themselves;
• allowing support workers, for example sign language interpreters;
• making provision for support animals to attend.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to request reasonable adjustments to the application process.

Principles of public life

The Seven Principles of Public Life (also known as the Nolan Principles) apply to anyone who works as a public office-holder.

1. Selflessness

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

2. Integrity

Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

3. Objectivity

Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

4. Accountability

Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

5. Openness

Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

6. Honesty

Holders of public office should be truthful.

7. Leadership

Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

Code of conduct for board members

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. In support of this, all non-executive board members of UK public bodies must abide by the principles set out in the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. The Code sets out the standards expected from those who serve on the boards of UK public bodies and will form part of your terms and conditions of appointment.

Management of outside interests and consideration of reputational issues

Holders of public office are expected to adhere and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life and the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. Before you apply you should consider carefully: 

• any outside interests that you may have, such as shares you may hold in a company providing services to government; 
• any possible reputational issues arising from your past actions or public statements that you have made; 
• and/or - any political roles you hold or political campaigns you have supported; 

which may call into question your ability to do the role you are applying for.

You will need to answer relevant questions in relation to these points when making an application. Many conflicts of interest can be satisfactorily resolved and declaring a potential conflict does not prevent you from being interviewed. If you are shortlisted for an interview, the panel will discuss any potential conflicts with you during that interview, including any proposals you may have to mitigate them and record that in their advice to ministers. Alongside your own declaration, we will conduct appropriate checks, as part of which we will consider anything in the public domain related to your conduct or professional capacity. This may include searches of previous public statements and social media, blogs or any other publicly available information. The successful candidate(s) may be required to give up any conflicting interests and their other business and financial interests may be published in line with organisational policies. 

Details of declared political activity will be published when the appointment is announced, as required by the Governance Code (political activity is not a bar to appointment, but must be declared).

Status of appointment

As this is an office holder appointment, you will not become a member of the Civil Service. You will not be subject to the provisions of employment law.

Appointment and tenure of office

Appointments are for the term set out in this advert, with the possibility of re-appointment for a further term, at the discretion of Ministers.  Any re-appointment is subject to satisfactory annual appraisals of performance during the first term in the post. There is no automatic presumption of reappointment; each case should be considered on its own merits, taking into account a number of factors including, but not restricted to, the diversity of the current board and its balance of skills and experience. In most cases, the total time served in post will not exceed more than two terms or ten years in any one post. 

Remuneration, allowances and abatement

Remuneration for this role is treated as employment income and will be subject to tax and National Insurance contributions, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid.

You can claim reimbursement for reasonable travel and subsistence costs which are properly and necessarily incurred on official business, in line with the travel and subsistence policy and rates for the organisation to which you are applying. However these payments are taxable as earnings and will be subject to tax and national insurance, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid. 

Pension and redundancy

This is an office holder appointment and does not attract any benefits under any Civil Service Pension Scheme. You will not be eligible for redundancy pay as you are not an employee. No other arrangements have been made for compensation upon the end of your term of appointment because an office holder who is appointed for a limited duration would have no expectation of serving beyond that period.

Application feedback

We will notify you of the status of your application. We regret that we are only able to offer detailed feedback to candidates who have been unsuccessful at the interview stage.

How to complain

We aim to process all applications as quickly as possible and to treat all applicants with courtesy.

Please contact the public appointments team in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application at appointments.team@dhsc.gov.uk. They will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and respond within 15 working days.

How to complain to Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA)

If you are not content with the appointing department’s response you may wish to further complain to the Commissioner at publicappointments@csc.gov.uk.Further information on how the Commissioner handles complaints can be found on the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ website https://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/regulating-appointments/investigating-complaints/

Data protection

The Cabinet Office will use your data in line with our privacy policy.

The DHSC privacy notice can be found at DHSC privacy notice - GOV.UK.

Contact details

For further information regarding the role of the NHSCFA and the role of a NED please contact:

Name: Georgina Lewis

Tel: Georgina.Lewis@dhsc.gov.uk

Email: +447706672658

Attachments

• Candidate information pack