Chief Internal Auditor
Location: Trinity Road, Bootle, L20 3NJ
Start Date: ASAP
Contract Duration: 6+ Months
Working Hours: Mon – Fri, 09:00 – 17:00, 37 Hours per week
Pay Rate: £ 30.84 per hour
Job Ref: OR11227
Responsibilities
Support the Head of Corporate Support in developing and maintaining an independent review function to ensure effective, efficient, and economic delivery of services.
Promote and champion best practices in governance, objectively assessing the management of existing and emerging risks, and proposed developments.
Provide evidence-based opinions on all aspects of governance, risk management, and internal control, making recommendations to improve these processes.
Ensure effective leadership and management of the Council's Internal Audit, Risk Management, Health & Safety, Insurance, and Civil Contingencies Response services.
Identify and manage risks through the Corporate Risk Management Group and maintain a Corporate Risk Register.
Develop, implement, and maintain effective strategies, policies, processes, and plans for Risk Management, Health & Safety, Insurance, Emergency Planning, Business Continuity, and Internal Audit.
Provide independent assurance to Senior Managers and Members regarding the adequacy of the Council's control environment, governance, and risk management arrangements.
Ensure compliance with best practices and legislative requirements, and promote the effective, efficient, and economic use of resources.
Safeguard the authority's assets and interests, ensuring public funds are managed economically and efficiently.
Develop, implement, and monitor a robust Audit Plan, reviewing within appropriate timescales as determined by the Council's risk methodology and scrutiny arrangements.
Provide advice and support regarding the economic, effective, and efficient use of Council resources and funds, and make recommendations for improvements.
Challenge business outcomes to ensure they represent value for money and meet the Council's objectives.
Provide strategic leadership on all fraud-related matters, including Anti-fraud and National Fraud Initiatives, providing quarterly reports to comply with statutory requirements.
Conduct robust investigations into all fraud/misuse matters, notifying external bodies such as Police, External Auditors, and Government agencies as appropriate.
Provide project support and advice on risk mitigations regarding the implementation of new systems, processes, changes, or improvements.
Produce the Annual Governance Statement as part of the Council's final accounts.
Liaise with External Auditors and other Inspection/Review agencies, facilitating access to relevant systems as required.
Manage the Health & Safety provision for the Council, Schools, and Sefton New Directions, ensuring compliance with legislation.
Ensure independent audit and review of Grant Claims.
Manage the Insurance provision for the Council, Schools, and Sefton New Directions to ensure assets and liabilities are protected, and claims liabilities can be met.
Ensure that Emergency planning and business continuity strategies and plans are in place to fulfill the Council's requirements under the Civil Contingencies Act.
Ensure the Council's contributions to the Merseyside (Local) Resilience Forum are maintained.
Person Specification
Member of the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors (CIIA) or a qualified accountant with Internal Audit experience.
A minimum of 5 years of experience in managing complex audit services.
Experience in the work of a Finance Department of a Local Authority, other public body, or large organization.
Relevant computer-related or ICT qualification is desirable.
Experience of the internal audit and regulatory environment applicable to public service organizations.
Experience in strategic objective setting and developing initiatives to improve services.
Experience in Project Management and evaluation techniques within the audit, risk, and health and safety functions.
Experience in data collection and analysis for internal audit, risk management, Health & Safety, Insurance, Emergency Planning.
Facilitating, negotiating, and influencing skills.
In-depth understanding of local government strategies and policies related to risk and resilience and internal audit management.
Ability to establish and monitor performance management arrangements.
Effective communication skills with the ability to develop persuasive arguments and address concerns.
In-depth knowledge of the regulations and legislation that govern Health & Safety, Insurance, Civil Contingencies, and Audit.
Ability to analyze information to ensure risk and resilience functions are effective and efficient.
Understanding of the complexity and importance of procurement and contract audit and the risks related to the organization's strategic objectives.
Ability to interpret and assess issues based on early indicators and understand the impacts to make appropriate decisions.
Comprehensive understanding of governance, risk management, and internal control.
Self-motivated and able to motivate others.
Objective and independent, complying with the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards (PSIAS) and Code of Ethics.
Flexible style, able to collaborate and advise but also to challenge as appropriate.
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