Compliance Officer Apprentice

Compliance Officer Apprentice – Department for Work and Pensions

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is recruiting 17 Compliance Officer Apprentices to join its Counter Fraud, Compliance and Debt (CFCD) business area in Widnes.

This permanent Executive Officer role offers an opportunity to develop investigation, compliance and customer engagement skills while working towards a professional qualification through the Public Sector Compliance Investigation and Officer Apprenticeship.

The role involves helping DWP identify and reduce fraud, error and debt within the benefit system.

Key Details

• Employer: Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
• Job title: Compliance Officer Apprentice
• Reference: 482532
• Location: Widnes Kingsway House, Oaks Place, Widnes, WA8 7EA
• Salary: £32,137 per year
• Grade: Executive Officer
• Contract: Permanent
• Number of vacancies: 17
• Working pattern: Full-time, part-time, flexible working and job share
• Business area: Counter Fraud, Compliance and Debt
• Role type: Investigation
• Closing date: 8 October 2026 at 11:55pm

Visa Sponsorship

Visa sponsorship is not currently available for new Skilled Worker applications for this vacancy for candidates who do not already have permission to be in the UK as a Skilled Worker under the circumstances specified in the advert.

The role is not included in the published Immigration Salary List. DWP also states that sponsorship can never be guaranteed and that any request would be considered under the relevant DWP and Home Office rules.

Applicants should therefore have existing permission to work in the UK that meets the apprenticeship requirements.

About the Role

As an Apprentice Compliance Officer, you will work within DWP’s Counter Fraud, Compliance and Debt function. The role requires flexibility and the ability to adapt as business priorities change.

Responsibilities may include:

• Conducting telephone and face-to-face interviews in line with legal and policy requirements.
• Investigating declarations and changes and taking appropriate action where errors are identified.
• Gathering, verifying and assessing information for benefit reassessment and overpayment calculations.
• Maintaining accurate records and handling relevant evidence, including sensitive material.
• Working collaboratively within a team and contributing to team objectives.
• Promoting fraud awareness within DWP and with external partners.
• Liaising with other departments and organisations under existing partnership arrangements.
• Managing competing and changing priorities.

The position may involve occasional travel and overnight stays.

Skills and Experience

Candidates should be able to demonstrate:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to engage effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Good organisational and planning skills.
• Strong judgement and decision-making ability.
• The ability to present information professionally to internal and external audiences.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Confidence when dealing with challenging or vulnerable individuals.
• A positive and energetic approach to achieving outcomes.
• Willingness to travel between sites when required.
• The ability to work effectively in a demanding environment with changing priorities.

Apprenticeship and Training

The apprenticeship is designed to develop candidates towards Category A Investigator practitioner-level membership of the Government Counter Fraud Profession (GCFP).

The Public Sector Compliance Investigation and Officer Apprenticeship is expected to take up to 22 months, while the full learning journey for the role can take up to 25 months.

Candidates will receive time away from their normal duties to complete apprenticeship work and will be supported by their line manager, skills coach, fellow apprentices, the DWP Apprenticeship Team and the Government Counter Fraud Profession team.

The learning may cover areas including:

• Interview techniques
• GDPR
• Relevant legislation
• Compliance tools and investigation techniques

Successful candidates are expected to complete the apprenticeship and qualification.

Apprenticeship Eligibility

Applicants must meet the DWP apprenticeship funding requirements. Key requirements include:

• Having the right to live and work in the UK for the full duration of the apprenticeship and associated learning journey.
• Having lived in the UK and/or EEA for three years before the apprenticeship start date, unless an applicable exemption applies.
• Not being in full-time education or already undertaking another apprenticeship at the start date.
• Not already holding a qualification at the same or higher level in a similar subject.
• Not having significant previous experience covering the knowledge, skills and behaviours of the apprenticeship standard.
• Meeting the relevant English and Maths requirements or completing the required Functional Skills qualification where applicable.

Candidates with substantial previous experience in areas such as fraud, compliance or debt management may not be eligible for this particular apprenticeship route.

Working Arrangements

The full-time DWP working week is 37 hours.

Working hours may fall between:

• 7:45am and 8:00pm, Monday to Friday
• 8:45am and 5:00pm, Saturday

Alternative working arrangements may be considered where they meet business requirements.

The role may support hybrid working after the required training and consolidation period. Where hybrid working is agreed, employees will normally be expected to spend at least 60% of their contracted hours in the DWP office.

Initial training can last for up to 12 weeks, and alternative working patterns may require full-time attendance during specific training periods.

Salary and Benefits

The salary is £32,137 per year, with DWP contributing approximately £9,310 towards membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.

Other benefits include:

• At least 23 days’ annual leave on entry, increasing to 30 days with service.
• 9 days of public and privilege leave.
• Flexible working options.
• Support for financial wellbeing.
• Interest-free season ticket loans.
• Cycle-to-work scheme.
• Employee discounts.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Family-friendly policies.
• Funded learning and development.
• Coaching, mentoring and professional development opportunities.
• Access to employee networks and wellbeing initiatives.

Selection Process

The recruitment process uses the Civil Service Success Profiles framework and will assess behaviours, strengths and experience.

The stages include:

Stage 1 – Application Form

Applications must be submitted by 11:55pm on 8 October 2026.

Stage 2 – Strengths and Experience Assessment

Candidates progressing to the online sift will complete a video-based assessment through Vidcruiter. The assessment link is expected to be sent on 9 October 2026, with candidates normally required to complete it by 13 October 2026.

The sift is scheduled for 14–23 October 2026.

Stage 3 – Apprenticeship Eligibility and Skills Check

Candidates reaching the required pass mark will progress to an eligibility and skills check with Central Training. This is scheduled for 9 November–4 December 2026.

Stage 4 – Interview

Successful candidates will be invited to a face-to-face blended interview. Interviews are currently scheduled for 7–18 December 2026, although dates may change.

The interview will assess Civil Service behaviours at Executive Officer Level 2, including:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture

Stage 5 – Offer

Successful candidates will be notified following completion of the interview process and pre-employment checks. Start dates are expected to be around January/February 2027.

Location

The position is based at:

Widnes Kingsway House
Oaks Place
Widnes
WA8 7EA

The role can only be worked within the UK and candidates should ensure they can travel to their contractual office location within a reasonable time.

Application

Applications close at 11:55pm on Thursday 8 October 2026.

Applicants should carefully review the apprenticeship eligibility requirements and selection process before applying.

Original vacancy: Civil Service Jobs – Compliance Officer Apprentice, reference 482532.

Source: Department for Work and Pensions / Civil Service Jobs.