Verification Assurance Officer

Verification Assurance Officer – Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

Salary: £32,700 per annum
Location: Multiple locations across North West England and Wales
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time, part-time, flexible working or job share
Job Grade: Executive Officer (EO)
Vacancies: 50
Department: Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Business Area: Counter Fraud, Compliance and Debt
Job Reference: 486213
Closing Date: 10 November 2026 at 11:55 pm
Visa Sponsorship: Not currently eligible for new Skilled Worker visa sponsorship applications from overseas applicants. Limited exceptions may apply to certain existing Skilled Worker visa holders sponsored before 4 April 2024.

Job Overview

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is recruiting 50 Verification Assurance Officers to join its Counter Fraud, Compliance and Debt team across North West England and Wales.

This is an opportunity to join a new team responsible for strengthening fraud prevention and verification processes within Jobcentres and Service Centres.

Successful candidates will work closely with Jobcentre colleagues to identify and investigate potential fraud, verify customer information and prevent fraudulent claims from entering the welfare system.

The role will involve conducting face-to-face interviews, reviewing supporting documents, educating customers about their responsibilities and helping colleagues identify potential fraud.

Important: This is a fully office-based role. Hybrid and home working are not available because the position requires regular face-to-face customer interviews and collaboration with Jobcentre colleagues.

Key Responsibilities

As a Verification Assurance Officer, your responsibilities will include:

• Working with Jobcentre and Service Centre colleagues to conduct initial and further evidence interviews and verification activities.
• Conducting interviews where there are concerns about the validity of documents submitted for identity verification, housing costs, children and childcare costs under Universal Credit.
• Holding review meetings with customers who have been asked to provide evidence to support their claims.
• Identifying fraud trends and patterns and sharing information with specialist risk and intelligence teams.
• Providing regular updates and practical guidance to Jobcentre colleagues on identifying and tackling potential fraud.
• Leading customer education sessions to explain their responsibilities and the consequences of non-compliance.
• Maintaining accurate management information as directed by analysts and performance teams.

Frequent travel between different sites may be required depending on business needs.

Person Specification and Requirements

Candidates should demonstrate the following skills and experience:

• Strong customer engagement skills and experience conducting effective face-to-face interviews.
• Ability to build rapport with customers and gather relevant information.
• Ability to work at pace, meet tight deadlines and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience building collaborative working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Strong written communication, organisation and problem-solving skills.

Lead Criteria:

1. Effective customer engagement and face-to-face interviewing skills, including the ability to build rapport and gather relevant information.
2. Ability to work efficiently under pressure, meet deadlines and identify better ways of working.

These two criteria are particularly important during the initial application sift.

Available Locations

The vacancies cover a wide range of locations across North West England and Wales, including:

North West England: Accrington, Altrincham, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Ashton-under-Lyne, Barrow-in-Furness, Birkenhead, Blackburn, Blackpool, Bolton, Bootle, Burnley, Bury, Carlisle, Chester, Chorley, Clitheroe, Congleton, Crewe, Crosby, Ellesmere Port, Fleetwood, Heywood, Huyton, Hyde, Irlam, Kendal, Lancaster, Leigh, Leyland, Liverpool, Lytham St Annes, Macclesfield, Manchester, Middleton, Morecambe, Nelson, Neston, Northwich, Oldham, Ormskirk, Penrith, Preston, Rawtenstall, Rochdale, Runcorn, Salford, Skelmersdale, Southport, St Helens, Stockport, Stretford, Walkden, Warrington, Whitehaven, Widnes, Wigan, Winsford and Workington.

Wales: Aberdare, Abergavenny, Abertillery, Aberystwyth, Amlwch, Ammanford, Bangor, Bargoed, Barry, Blackwood, Brecon, Bridgend, Caernarfon, Caerphilly, Caldicot, Cardiff, Cardigan, Carmarthen, Chepstow, Colwyn Bay, Connah’s Quay, Cwmbran, Dolgellau, Ebbw Vale, Flint, Haverfordwest, Holyhead, Holywell, Llandrindod Wells, Llandudno, Llanelli, Llangefni, Llantrisant, Machynlleth, Maesteg, Merthyr Tydfil, Milford Haven, Mold, Neath, Newport, Newtown, Pembroke Dock, Penarth, Pontypool, Pontypridd, Port Talbot, Porth, Porthcawl, Porthmadog, Pwllheli, Rhyl, Swansea, Tonypandy, Welshpool, Wrexham and Ystradgynlais.

Applicants can select up to three preferred locations through the application form and provide up to two additional preferences.

Location selection notes:

• Select Liverpool for Belle Vale, Duke Street, Everton, Garston, Kirkby and West Derby.
• Select Manchester for Cheetham Hill, Gorton, Hulme, Newton Heath, Prestwich, Rusholme, Town Hall, West Didsbury and Wythenshawe.

Candidates selecting Birkenhead, Bolton, Cardiff, Liverpool, Manchester or Swansea who reach the interview stage will be asked to confirm their preferred locations separately.

Working Hours and Training

The standard full-time working week is 37 hours.

Working hours may fall between:

• Monday to Friday: 7:45 am – 8:00 pm.
• Saturday: 8:45 am – 5:00 pm.

Alternative working patterns will be considered subject to business requirements.

Successful candidates may need to work full-time during initial training and consolidation periods. Initial training can last up to eight weeks.

Salary and Benefits

The successful candidates will receive an annual salary of £32,700, alongside a range of Civil Service benefits, including:

• Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• At least 23 days of annual leave, increasing to 30 days with service.
• Nine days of public and privilege leave.
• Flexible working arrangements, including job sharing and compressed hours.
• Interest-free season ticket loans.
• Cycle-to-work scheme and employee discounts.
• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support.
• Enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after one year of continuous service.
• Funded training, professional qualifications and career development opportunities.
• Access to coaching, mentoring and employee networks.

Application and Selection Process

The recruitment process uses Civil Service Success Profiles and assesses behaviours, strengths, ability and experience.

Stage 1 – Application Form

Complete the initial application form with your personal details, eligibility information and any reasonable adjustment requirements.

Stage 2 – Online Test

Applicants will be invited to complete the Civil Service Work Strengths Test after submitting the initial application.

Candidates are encouraged to complete the test within 24–48 hours of receiving the invitation.

The test deadline is 10 November 2026 at 11:55 pm. Failure to complete the test before the deadline will result in withdrawal of the application.

Stage 3 – CV

Candidates who pass the online test will be asked to provide information about their employment history, qualifications, skills and relevant experience.

You do not need to upload your personal CV. The information entered will provide context for your personal statement.

Stage 4 – Personal Statement and Sift

Candidates will be required to submit a personal statement of no more than 750 words explaining their relevant skills and experience against the person specification.

Particular attention should be given to the two lead criteria, as these may be used for the initial sift.

The sift is scheduled to take place between 16 and 27 November 2026.

Stage 5 – Interview

Candidates who pass the sift will be invited to a face-to-face blended interview lasting approximately 30–40 minutes.

The interview will include behaviour-based and strength-based questions.

The following Civil Service behaviours will be assessed:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing

Interviews are provisionally scheduled between 5 and 22 January 2027.

Stage 6 – Job Offer

Successful candidates will be notified of the outcome, with offers expected around the week commencing 15 February 2027.

Appointments will be made in merit order, taking account of candidates’ location preferences and business requirements.

Successful candidates are expected to start around March or April 2027, subject to pre-employment checks.

Visa Sponsorship Information

Important for international applicants: DWP states that these vacancies are not currently eligible for new Skilled Worker visa sponsorship applications for candidates who do not already have permission to work in the UK as a Skilled Worker sponsored before 4 April 2024.

The advert also explains that sponsorship cannot be guaranteed and that any requests will be considered under the relevant DWP guidance and Home Office policies.

Applicants should check their immigration eligibility before applying.

Important Information

• The role must be carried out in the UK and cannot be performed overseas.
• Hybrid and home working are not available.
• Relocation expenses will not be reimbursed.
• Successful candidates must undergo criminal record and baseline personnel security checks.
• A reserve list may be maintained for three months.
• Candidates must meet the Civil Service nationality and right-to-work requirements.
• The role is classified as politically sensitive, with restrictions on certain political activities.

Application Deadline

10 November 2026 at 11:55 pm

Applicants must complete all required stages, including the application form, online test, CV and personal statement, before the deadline.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should read the full job advert and complete their application through the official Civil Service Jobs website.