About Cifas
What is Cifas?
Cifas is the UK's fraud prevention service, and it is structured unusually: "We are a not-for-profit membership organisation that brings different sectors together for the common goal of eliminating fraud and financial crime." Established in 1988, it has for more than 35 years "provided a secure, legal and effective framework for the real time sharing of high grade fraud risk data and intelligence".
The practical output is a set of shared databases — chief among them the National Fraud Database and the Insider Threat Database — which members check "before providing a service, or employing a new staff member". Membership is deliberately cross-sector: "Hundreds of organisations work with us - ranging from high street banks, telcos, and insurers through to the public sector and government." Cifas states that since 1988 it "has helped its members protect themselves from billions of pounds worth of fraud losses", and it also runs Protective Registration for individuals who have suffered identity theft.
Where will I work?
Remotely, for the most part. Cifas puts it as: "We predominately work remotely, but come together at least once a month for a collaboration day at our offices in London." On top of that sits an unusually broad location perk — "flexible working patterns and the opportunity to work abroad scheme for up to two months a year" — which makes an extended stint overseas a normal part of the arrangement rather than an exception you have to negotiate.
What is the Cifas team like?
Cifas describes itself as "an ambitious and constantly evolving organisation", with a mission of "preventing fraud and financial crime, safeguarding UK PLC, and promoting a culture of trust and integrity". Five values carry that work: Collaboration — "build positive long term relationships and advocate fraud prevention through collaboration"; Expertise — "work with a common purpose, always do what we say we will, and strive for excellence"; Innovation — "use the best technology available to deliver practical, creative and timely solutions"; Integrity — "ethical and honourable in our dealings, and open to challenge and scrutiny"; and Respect, which "treats everyone fairly and respectfully". Colleagues can join internal Corporate Social Responsibility, Inclusivity (EDI) and Wellbeing groups, and Cifas offers neuro-diversity support throughout its recruitment process.
Work-Life Balance
Annual leave is generous and stated plainly: "Our annual leave is 33 days plus Bank Holidays." Working patterns are flexible and predominantly remote, and the work-abroad scheme allows up to two months a year outside the UK. Wellbeing has a named support structure rather than a slogan behind it: "a range of wellbeing services and support from well-known providers including Bippit, Perkbox and Onhand. We also have internal Mental First Aiders and Wellbeing Champions." Cifas does not publish a policy on core hours or meeting-free time.
Perks and Benefits
- 33 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Predominantly remote, with a monthly London collaboration day
- Opportunity to work abroad for up to two months a year
- Pension: 15% employer contribution on top of 5% employee contribution
- Comprehensive private medical insurance
- Cashback scheme towards dental and optical care costs
- Mental First Aiders, Wellbeing Champions, Bippit, Perkbox and Onhand