Voluntary role: Independent Member of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee
Job summary
Are you an experienced public sector finance leader? Could you contribute at board level to scrutinise and assure financial management, risk, control and governance in an independent public body? Would your career benefit from that experience?
We are seeking an independent, financially qualified, Member of our Audit and Risk Committee. The Committee is a critical part of our governance which supports the Board and Chief Executive manage risk, control, governance and finances.
Formed of two non-executive Board members, and an independent member, the Committee is also attended by the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer, and other senior officials.
It meets quarterly, with one additional meeting each year to scrutinise the annual report and accounts. Each meeting is held virtually, for two hours.
This is a voluntary position, which will suit a finance leader in the public sector seeking exposure to working at board level in an arm’s-length body. The time commitment is for meeting preparation and attendance, and any other engagement and support agreed to enable you to contribute at your best, for example through briefings with senior staff, the Committee Chair or others in advance of key issues being debated.
The Office for Environmental Protection’s mission is to protect and improve the environment by holding Government and public authorities to account. We cover England, Northern Ireland, and environmental matters reserved to the UK government. We have 80 staff based in Worcester and Northern Ireland.
We report independently to Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly on progress against environmental targets. We also report on how effectively environmental law is implemented, and advise on changes to environmental laws. We receive complaints from the public, and investigate and can enforce potential failures to comply with environmental law by public bodies.
To find out more about the OEP, what we do, who we are and our current work, visit the OEP website . You may want to review the annual report from the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee, to understand the work of the Committee.
Given our independent role to hold government and other public authorities to account, we manage conflicts of interest very carefully. We are open to applicants in a wide range of roles. It is likely to be most difficult to manage conflicts of interest from applicants working within those organisations most often subject to our oversight in Defra and its arm’s-length bodies.
Job description
Drawing on your professional expertise and experience, you will provide independent insight, constructive challenge and objective scrutiny. You will help the OEP maintain high standards of governance, accountability, financial management and organisational resilience as it delivers its mission to protect and improve the environment.
You will;
- Provide independent and objective scrutiny of the OEP’s governance, risk management, internal control and assurance arrangements.
- Review the comprehensiveness and reliability of assurances provided to the Committee and the Board, identifying gaps and areas where further assurance may be needed.
- Advise and constructively challenge senior leaders on the effectiveness of internal controls, audit arrangements and the management of strategic and emerging risks.
- Scrutinise financial management, financial reporting and the annual report and accounts, helping to ensure that public money is used properly, transparently and with regard to value for money.
- Engage effectively with internal and external audit, supporting the Committee’s oversight of audit plans, findings, recommendations and management responses.
- Contribute fully to collective Committee discussions and decisions, while exercising independent judgement and maintaining appropriate confidentiality.
- Promote high standards of integrity, propriety, accountability and public service.
Person specification
Essential criteria
- Recent experience of operating in a senior role with financial responsibilities in a public body, government department, or similar.
- A strong understanding of governance, risk management, internal control and assurance, supported by sound financial acumen.
- Sound judgement and the confidence to offer constructive, straightforward and proportionate challenge to senior leaders.
- A commitment to public service, the Seven Principles of Public Life and the OEP’s purpose and independence.
- The capacity to devote sufficient time to the role, including preparation, meetings, induction and any relevant training.
- A relevant professional qualification in areas such as accountancy or audit.
Qualifications
A relevant professional qualification in accountancy or audit such as CCAB, CIMA (or equivalent).Benefits
This post is being advertised on a voluntary basis only and attracts no pay. All meetings will be held online.
The time commitment is 1 day per quarter to attend a maximum of five two-hour meetings with necessary preparation time. The appointment will last for a minimum of 1 year, up to a maximum of 3 years.
By taking the opportunity to volunteer as part of the OEP ARAC, you will:
- use your skills and knowledge to gain valuable experience and exposure working at board level in a public sector arms length body
- use your experience to provide independent insight, constructive challenge and objective scrutiny
- gain valuable career experience
- participate in a new interesting challenge
- expand your network
Things you need to know
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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.Selection process details
This role is a voluntary position and is not being recruited for through fair and open competition.
Application
All applicants will be required to complete a CV, providing details of past experience and employment, qualifications and a personal statement.
Your personal statement should outline how you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification providing examples to demonstrate your experience.
This is not a name blind, recruitment but an application to a voluntary role.
You can use up to 500 words in your personal statement.
Sift
After the closing date, your application will be reviewed by an internal selection panel.
Interview
You may be invited to take part in an informal interview to discuss your suitability for this voluntary role. This will be organised informally by the vacancy holder who will invite you to take part in a MS Teams call.
Offer
If successful, applicants you will be sent a formal offer by e-mail and asked to declare any potential conflicts of interest. You will also receive a formal offer through Civil Service Jobs.
If successful you will need to undergo Right to Work and BPSS security checks.
Salary
There is no salary for this voluntary role.
Location
Due to the nature of the role, the successful applicant will work remotely.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact the OEP at recruitment@theoep.org.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
- Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Criminal Record Check
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service or Access NI on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : andy.lester@theoep.org.uk
- Email : recruitment@theoep.org.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : recruitment@theoep.org.uk