Head of Internal Audit

Introduction

The work of the Department for Children Schools and Families is of central importance to the Government’s agenda and is a major public body with an annual budget in excess of £53bn.
 
The Head of Internal Audit is responsible to the Permanent Secretary for the provision of an Internal Audit Service, which meets the Government Internal Audit Standards (GIAS).  The HIA is responsible for the Audit Strategy and Audit Plan (provided), which have 6 broad foci for 2008/09;

• corporate governance
• financial management
• delivery
• policy development and delivery
• human resource management
• information

The primary purpose of the job is to provide independent assurance to the Accounting Officer on the adequacy, reliability and efficiency of the DCSF systems of internal control, the suitability of corporate governance arrangements, and that appropriate risk management strategies and processes are in place to enable the Department to achieve its objectives.

Main Responsibilities

The main responsibilities of the post are to:

• advise the Accounting Officer (the Board, and the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee) on the adequacy of the Departments systems for managing risk, control, and governance
• advise on the adequacy of the control and governance of the Department’s delivery mechanisms and those for its major programmes and projects
• assist senior managers by organising reviews of systematic or individual failures to establish corrective mechanisms, identify lessons learned for the future, and where appropriate, arrange for recovery of monies and prosecution
• advise the department in modernising its strategies, polices, processes and systems.
• maintain a highly professional cadre of qualified internal auditors, and make arrangements to ensure their continuing personal and professional development
• promote equal opportunities and diversity within the Division and the wider department

Person Specification

You should have proven experience of working at senior levels in the internal audit unit of a major high profile organisation or of providing audit advisory services to such organisations. You will be knowledgeable about modern thinking on risk based audit, risk management and corporate governance and will have experience of putting best audit approaches into practice, both personally and through managing others

In addition to leading one of the largest audit units in Whitehall, you will also be responsible for personally attending and advising senior managers leading key programme and project boards that support the Departments major delivery areas. Experience of programme and project management is essential.

You must be a member by examination of one of the CCAB bodies or the Institute of Internal Auditors (MIIA). All applicants must have relevant recent experience of audit work.

To download a candidate pack for the Head of Internal Audit please click here

Apply online with Sheffield as your preferred location 

Apply online with London as your preferred location