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 fulfil 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 organisation.
- Relevant computer‑related or ICT qualification is desirable.
- Experience of the internal audit and regulatory environment applicable to public service organisations.
- 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 analyse 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 organisation'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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