Principal Data Scientist

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. The Principal Data Scientist role focuses on applying and delivering advanced data analytics, machine learning, statistical analysis, and fraud detection techniques within the NHS. Responsibilities include personally developing, managing fraud detection models, leading a team, and aligning data science initiatives with NHSCFA goals. The role involves project planning, defining data roadmaps, and ensuring delivery of counter-fraud insights as directed. Key duties include communicating complex findings to non-technical stakeholders, influencing decisions, and embedding advanced analytics into team operations. The post holder must ensure rigorous testing, governance, compliance with government data standards, and maintain data integrity and transparency. In addition, engaging with domain experts internally and externally to underpin detection approaches.

Our vacancies are popular and we may close this vacancy earlyshould we receive a significant number of applications.

This role requires NPPV 2

For an informal chat please talk to George Cooke, Head of Advanced Data Analytics george.cooke@nhscfa.gov.uk.

Main duties of the job

Apply expertise in all areas of Data Science and Advanced Data Analysis by conducting highly complex detection of fraud and insights across a range of counter fraud and business areas with data.

Line manage a team of analysts and data science professionals.

Plan priorities, explore opportunities and conduct data science and analysis in counter fraud areas.

Demonstrate practical expertise of data science including tools, detection techniques and standards used in counter fraud (e.g. ML/DL/GenAI/Analytics and statistics. Including the application of data science with unstructured data (LLMs)

Engage with stakeholder to ensure appropriate context is applied to data and insights from detection approaches.

Develop and implement AI/ML algorithms to detect emerging fraud patterns while ensuring compliance with all laws, professional practice, government and internal frameworks.

Collaborate with counter-fraud experts and domain experts in the NHS

Communicate progress and outcomes to senior managers, staff, and external agencies, including negotiation timeline where required.

Please see Job Description

About us

We have offices in Coventry, Newcastle and London and offer flexible, hybrid, 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. We encourage applications from individuals interested in a secondment opportunity. If you are applying on this basis, please ensure you have obtained agreement in principle from your current employer. 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.

To comply with the HM Government Functional Standard GovS 007, and specifically the Personnel Security Standards, individuals employed by NHS Counter Fraud Authority will be required to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Standards checks.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Lead full development cycles: design, QA, experiment, analyse, and deploy models

Assess tools, techniques, and systems for data science and analytics, including algorithm selection, data transformation methods and technology used in the detection of fraud and analytics.

Provide domain expertise in advanced analytics for counter-fraud activities and agreed focus areas.

Support line manager to plan for functional spend.

Ensuring accuracy of financial claims for self and staff.

Performance and effective analytical model cost and data processing

Please see Job Description

Person Specification

Pspec

Essential

oDesigning algorithms for actionable outcomes oStrong proficiency in SQL, R, Python, and tools like Alteryx, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Databricks oAssociated data science practices across the domain oAbility to produce reproducible code and pipelines with governance and automation, in addition to assuring team members coding practices are supervised ensuring efficiency. oProven experience in fraud detection using statistical modelling in production environments and technologies within data science.
oSignificant practical experience managing a data science/analytics team including all processes and practices for high quality outputs. oProven experience in fraud detection using statistical modelling in production environments and analytical approaches and innovation. oSignificant experience in model development aligned with governance and regulatory standards for fraud detection oExpertise in data visualisation, communicating statistical outputs. oStrong analytical and critical thinking skills. oPolicy implementation and development within the function as directed. oUndertaking own research in key analytical areas of counter fraud focus and areas for improved detection using techniques and data. oApplying and developing ethics frameworks and governance to own work and that of their team. oUndertaking data science initiatives that are allocate driven and proactive.
oMaster's degree in a numerate subject or equivalent experience (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 to undertake data science/analysis in addition to line management
oAble to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information and communicate clearly the findings or activities of your team to management and stakeholder. oCommunicates analytical findings to all management levels and responds to challenges from internal and external experts. oAble to lead and engage with organisations, domain experts as a counter fraud data expert to check findings, understand policy, practice/frameworks to develop detection methods. oHave the communication and engagement skills to proactively foster relationship with appropriate counter fraud, clinical and domain experts.

Desirable

Extensive knowledge and understanding of the NHS data landscape and how the various data sources can be used to identify fraudulent activity.
Advanced knowledge and practical experience of developing, implementing and harnessing generative AI and NLP for the benefit of counter fraud.
oAccredited Counter Fraud Specialist or member of Government Counter fraud Profession oDemonstrate CPD.
oPolitically astute with knowledge of national and regional decisions in relation to the NHS and counter fraud.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Counter Fraud Authority

Address

NHSCFA, Citygate

Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE1 4WH

Employer's website

https://cfa.nhs.uk/

Apply Now