Debarment and Investigations Lead

Job Title: Debarment and Investigations Lead

Band: Band 3

Salary: £59,877 - £66,869

Location: Liverpool/Birmingham/Newport

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full time

Closing Date: 21/06/2026

Interview Date(s): W/C 6th July (Subject to change)

Public procurement underpins billions of pounds of taxpayer spending, but what happens when the suppliers awarded those contracts can’t be trusted?

The Procurement Act 2023 gave the UK Government new powers to protect public procurement from suppliers who pose a serious risk. The Debarment Review Service (DRS) exists to exercise those powers in a way that stands up to scrutiny.

We are looking for someone who can lead complex investigations, exercise sound judgement and influence senior stakeholders across Government. If that sounds like you, we’d like to hear from you.

Job Summary

Acting on behalf of Ministers, the DRS investigates suppliers whose past conduct suggests they may be unsuitable to participate in public procurements or be awarded public contracts.

As one of two Leads reporting to the Head of Debarment & Investigations, you will be part of a small, high-impact team. You will manage investigations end-to-end and help the wider public sector to understand these new powers.

Key Accountabilities

• Manage debarment investigations from the initial referral through to ministerial recommendations, including issuing formal notices and managing the collation of evidence.
• Assess supplier self-cleaning evidence to ensure processes are procedurally fair and legally defensible.
• Build and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders across the public sector.
• Apply risk management and market analysis expertise to evaluate evidence of misconduct and determine if it meets the threshold for debarment consideration.
• Collaborate with NSUP and Commercial Policy teams to ensure consistency and share expertise across Government.
• Represent the DRS at both internal and external events and forums, building contracting authorities confidence in providing the evidence required for referrals.
• Support the Head of Debarment & Investigations and work alongside the other Debarment & Investigations Lead to manage workload and ensure joined-up delivery.
• Draft policy and guidance to support the development and maintenance of debarment operational procedures.
• Lead continuous service improvement to ensure operational procedures remain fit for purpose.
• Lead and guide team members, manage performance to ensure a high-performing team, and support staff development through regular feedback.

Essential Criteria (to be assessed at application stage):

​

• An understanding of the Procurement Act 2023, particularly the debarment provisions and their aims to protect public procurement and public money.
• Proven ability to build rapport and manage expectations with senior stakeholders across complex organisations.
• Proven ability to lead investigations and make sound, risk-assessed decisions under pressure. Demonstrates strong analytical skills, delivering accurate, thorough, and well-reasoned proposals at pace
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrable ability to simplify complex matters and brief Senior Civil Servants and Ministers.
• Line manager experience / capability

Success Profiles

(to be assessed at interview)

Strengths

Behaviours

• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service

Valuing our people

• Competitive salary
• Generous pension scheme
• A discretionary non-contractual performance related bonus
• Working remotely in addition to working in advertised office location
• Flexi time scheme (available for B1-B6)
• Minimum 25 days annual leave to a maximum service related 30 days excluding bank holidays

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found.

We want to make our recruitment process accessible to everyone, so if there is any way that we can support you, please contact us.

Working flexibly, delivering outcomes

GCA operates a smarter working model that balances flexibility with collaboration. Successful candidates are expected to spend at least 26 days per quarter (approximately 2 days per week, pro-rata) at their contracted office, another GCA site, or off-site for meetings. For the remainder of the time, you may work from home or another suitable location that meets business needs.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection Process

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months, which the Civil Service may use to fill future suitably similar vacancies across government for candidates who are considered appointable following interview. Should you be placed on a reserve list and want to be removed please contact ***email_hidden***.

Please note that as part of this recruitment process, if you are unsuccessful at the interview stage but are close to the benchmark score you may be considered for and offered a role at a lower pay band within the same job family.

Pay: £59,877.00-£66,869.00 per year

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Newport (Newport, Wales, Wales)