Job summary
The NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA) is the national body responsible for all matters relating to the prevention, detection and investigation of economic crime across the NHS. Further information about our work and annual plan for delivering this is available on our website.
Our new team are embarking on a piece of work to monitor data to identify and respond to patterns indicative of potential fraud. This will support our current work that reduces the likelihood of fraud occurring. We will bring in data science capabilities to be deployed in counter fraud activity and work closely with partners across health and government to further maximise the preventative impact of proactive counter fraud analysis. We will combine this with our range of counter fraud and domain expertise to maximise our impact using your knowledge, experience, and passion for your chosen field.
The Data Scientist role requires expertise in machine learning, statistical analysis, anomaly detection, and strong communication and collaboration skills. Key responsibilities include developing innovative models, designing, applying, and optimising models in a dynamic environment. The role is critical in project planning, using data to drive business objectives, and defining project directions to achieve financial targets.
Potential applicants can contact Susan Proctor at susan.proctor@nhscfa.gov.uk for an informal chat if you have any questions regarding the role.Interviews will be held on 8th July 2024.
Main duties of the job
With a deep understanding of data science, including machine learning, predictive modelling, and deep learning, the Data Scientist will tackle complex challenges and extract actionable insights from diverse datasets. They will lead model development and ensure solutions meet business and government standards. Collaboration across functions is essential to align data science initiatives with NHSCFA goals, ensuring accountability for innovative outcomes. Utilising the latest advanced methods, they will embed analytics into the organisation to enhance fraud detection within the NHS.
Clear communication of statistical outputs and results to non-technical stakeholders is crucial, influencing decisions like criminal intervention, policy changes, or risk metrics based on data-driven insights. The role demands adherence to government data standards, ensuring data transparency, integrity, and compliance throughout the portfolio.
The NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA) is the National body responsible all for matters relating to the prevention, detection and investigation of economic crime across the NHS. Aligned to the DH Health Group Counter Fraud strategy, the NHSCFA acts as the principal lead for the NHS and wider health group in counter fraud intelligence work.
About us
We have offices based in Coventry, Newcastle and London and offer flexible, hybrid, office and home-based working. In addition to the advertised salary working in the London area will attract High-Cost Area Supplement where appropriate. The NHSCFA values and respects the diversity of its employees and aims to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities. We welcome applications irrespective of people's age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including an invitation to the first stage of the selection process and consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability. If you are applying to undertake this role on a secondment basis you should have agreement to being released from your current role in principle, prior to submitting an application form. When you apply for this role, you will be redirected to our recruitment system TRAC. The NHSCFA does not hold a sponsor licence in respect of skilled worker visas and so is unable to employ candidates requiring sponsorship.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Create, deploy, and refine cutting-edge AI/Machine Learning algorithms and suitable methodologies to detect and anticipate evolving fraud patterns and trends.
Design innovative solutions to solve business problems in the identification of fraud and wider NHS to protect NHS money and resources from irregular activity.
Build highly accurate practical Machine Learning models, by developing supervised, unsupervised, and semi supervised models etc, creating end-to-end data pipelines and deploying outputs within the NHSCFA environment ready for action.
Prepare data for model development and selection using techniques such as, sampling, feature engineering and normalisation etc.
Leverage advanced AI and machine learning techniques, including deep learning, to improve fraud detection and prevention models while adhering to privacy regulations.
The post holder will be required to have a NPPV2.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the advertised closing date should we receive a significant number of applications.
Please see Full Job Description and Person Specification
Job description
Job responsibilities
Create, deploy, and refine cutting-edge AI/Machine Learning algorithms and suitable methodologies to detect and anticipate evolving fraud patterns and trends.
Design innovative solutions to solve business problems in the identification of fraud and wider NHS to protect NHS money and resources from irregular activity.
Build highly accurate practical Machine Learning models, by developing supervised, unsupervised, and semi supervised models etc, creating end-to-end data pipelines and deploying outputs within the NHSCFA environment ready for action.
Prepare data for model development and selection using techniques such as, sampling, feature engineering and normalisation etc.
Leverage advanced AI and machine learning techniques, including deep learning, to improve fraud detection and prevention models while adhering to privacy regulations.
The post holder will be required to have a NPPV2.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the advertised closing date should we receive a significant number of applications.
Please see Full Job Description and Person Specification
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Practical application experience in managing data science projects, from project design, method selection, control, optimisation, and implementation within the workplace. Including guidance, documentation, and leadership.
- Proven experience of line managing a team of analyst as part of a data science project.
- Knowledge and practical experience in designing algorithms including selection, using statistical and problem centric methods to design actionable outcome across a variety of data types.
- Proven practical experience and expertise in AI/machine learning methods using data including the implementation of statistical modelling and methods into a live production environment.
- Experience and strong proficiency in programming languages for data science, e.g., SQL, R and Python alongside the ability to use tools and packages such as Alteryx, Jupyter notebook, R Markdown, TensorFlow, Keras, Pytorch etc.
- Practical expertise in producing reproducible code and pipelines including documentation, governance and assurance frameworks, automation and code review using tools such as Git.
- Skilled in data visualisation, with expertise in employing best practices and a proven track record of effectively communicating statistical findings to stakeholders.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyse large and complex datasets, extract meaningful insight and actionable outcome to help inform business outcome.
- Practical experience in model development and production and the alignment with model governance, business, best practice, and regulatory standards.
Desirable
- Expertise and proven experience of fraud/anomaly detection.
- Extensive understanding of the NHS data landscape.
- Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist or member of Government Counter fraud Profession
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree, in numerate subject or equivalent experience/learning developed in a similar role (e.g., Mathematical, Data Science, Computer Science, Physics, or related discipline). For the purposes of this job description equivalent experience would be management and technical experience in a similar sized and complex organisation, successfully providing the technical ability concerning data science alongside the necessary drive, leadership, and direction.
- Have worked in a statistical/data science field and are able to demonstrate continuous professional development.
Desirable
- Master's degree in numerate subject or equivalent experience/learning developed in a similar role (e.g., Mathematical, Data Science, Computer Science, Physics, or related discipline).
Communication Skills
Essential
- Advanced written and verbal communication skills, including the presentation of complex information, writing, presenting, and other documentation to both internal and external stakeholders.
- Effectively communicate and articulate findings to stakeholders at all management levels, addressing challenges to results with, justification, clarity, and precision.
- Must be able to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive, or contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information to influential groups.
- Can lead, manage, and motivate a team, including the devising and explanation of complex methodologies and methods.
Desirable
- Politically astute with knowledge of national and regional decision making and influencing bodies.
- Provided expert guidance on data science methodologies and results within the NHS.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Practical application experience in managing data science projects, from project design, method selection, control, optimisation, and implementation within the workplace. Including guidance, documentation, and leadership.
- Proven experience of line managing a team of analyst as part of a data science project.
- Knowledge and practical experience in designing algorithms including selection, using statistical and problem centric methods to design actionable outcome across a variety of data types.
- Proven practical experience and expertise in AI/machine learning methods using data including the implementation of statistical modelling and methods into a live production environment.
- Experience and strong proficiency in programming languages for data science, e.g., SQL, R and Python alongside the ability to use tools and packages such as Alteryx, Jupyter notebook, R Markdown, TensorFlow, Keras, Pytorch etc.
- Practical expertise in producing reproducible code and pipelines including documentation, governance and assurance frameworks, automation and code review using tools such as Git.
- Skilled in data visualisation, with expertise in employing best practices and a proven track record of effectively communicating statistical findings to stakeholders.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyse large and complex datasets, extract meaningful insight and actionable outcome to help inform business outcome.
- Practical experience in model development and production and the alignment with model governance, business, best practice, and regulatory standards.
Desirable
- Expertise and proven experience of fraud/anomaly detection.
- Extensive understanding of the NHS data landscape.
- Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist or member of Government Counter fraud Profession
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree, in numerate subject or equivalent experience/learning developed in a similar role (e.g., Mathematical, Data Science, Computer Science, Physics, or related discipline). For the purposes of this job description equivalent experience would be management and technical experience in a similar sized and complex organisation, successfully providing the technical ability concerning data science alongside the necessary drive, leadership, and direction.
- Have worked in a statistical/data science field and are able to demonstrate continuous professional development.
Desirable
- Master's degree in numerate subject or equivalent experience/learning developed in a similar role (e.g., Mathematical, Data Science, Computer Science, Physics, or related discipline).
Communication Skills
Essential
- Advanced written and verbal communication skills, including the presentation of complex information, writing, presenting, and other documentation to both internal and external stakeholders.
- Effectively communicate and articulate findings to stakeholders at all management levels, addressing challenges to results with, justification, clarity, and precision.
- Must be able to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive, or contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information to influential groups.
- Can lead, manage, and motivate a team, including the devising and explanation of complex methodologies and methods.
Desirable
- Politically astute with knowledge of national and regional decision making and influencing bodies.
- Provided expert guidance on data science methodologies and results within the NHS.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
