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Chief Internal Auditor (SCS Pay Band 1)


Department
Home Office
Business Area
Performance and Finance Directorate, Financial and Corporate Services Group
Number of Vacancies
1
Location: Region
London
Location: City/Town
London
Location: Building/Site
2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF
Grade
SCS 1
Salary Minimum
£58,200
Salary Maximum
£117,800
Type of Role
Audit
Senior leadership
Reserved/Non Reserved posts
This is a reserved post and therefore only open to UK nationals
Security
Developed Vetting
Criminal Records Bureau Check
This post does not require a Criminal Records Bureau Check
Is a medical required for this post?
No
Job Description
This key corporate role provides assurance to the Accounting Officer that the department has robust controls and systems in place. At a time of major change, with reducing departmental budgets, this becomes even more critical.

The post holder will be responsible for developing a more integrated service embracing Home Office Agencies and Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs), and building close relationships across Whitehall to ensure we are at the forefront of best practice. The post holder will work closely with the HO finance team, now seen as one of the strongest in Whitehall.

As the Head of Internal Audit the post holder will be responsible for:

• Delivering a professional, valued internal audit service to the Home Office and a number of its Agencies and Non-Departmental Public Bodies;

• Collectively organising both individual and thematic reviews sufficient to provide annual assurance to individual Accounting Officers and the Permanent Secretary;

• Managing and developing a team of professional auditors (circa 40 staff) based in a number of locations across the UK;

• Working with the wider internal audit community in enhancing the service across Whitehall;

• Acting as Head of Profession for Internal Audit within the Home Office group; and

• Operating within the Home Office senior finance management team.

THIS POST IS OFFERED AS A PERMANENT APPOINTMENT. A SECONDMENT FOR A MINIMUM OF TWO YEARS MAY ALSO BE CONSIDERED.

For full details please visit www.homeofficeappointments.com
Competencies
In your supporting statement you should provide examples of your experience in meeting the appointment criteria listed under Part One of the person specification. For those invited for interview, these responses will be further developed and discussed taking into account Part Two of the specification.

Part one
Knowledge and experience

• Holds a recognised professional qualification (CMIIA or one of the CCAB qualifications).

• Track record of managing a substantial internal audit service.

• Knowledge of providing assurance at Board level on the achievement of the highest standards of internal controls in the public sector.

• Clear understanding of governance arrangements and their relevance within the context of the public sector.

• Experience of working with a range of stakeholders to deliver high-quality services, and to develop and build on best practice.

• Knowledge of a range of strategic analysis tools, underpinned by practical experience of applying them.

Part two
Skills and abilities

• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to coach and develop individuals and teams for high performance.

• Able to manage change effectively, identifying resistance, building engagement and involvement, rewarding innovation.

• First class verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to secure the confidence of senior individuals quickly.

• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to link evidence with specific outputs and identify ways to improve its quality and use.

• Able to promote a learning and development culture that sets stretching but achievable goals, where poor performance is tackled and all individuals are recognised for their contribution.

• Able to work in partnership with others, including finance experts, and individuals within and outside the Home Office to develop service provision and achieve organisational goals.


Part three
Behaviours and personal attributes

• Positive and inspirational leadership style.

• Strong strategic thinker – able to balance this with the more detailed requirements of the role.

• Develops practical, innovative and creative solutions to the management of strategic issues and complex problems

• Demonstrates pace and focus on achievement – delivers outcomes to agreed deadlines and within budget with speed and flexibility.

• Commitment to continuous improvement – seeks feedback on performance and opportunities to learn from own and others’ experience.

• Commitment to equality and diversity.

Qualification(s)
Holds a recognised professional qualification (CMIIA or one of the CCAB qualifications).
Working Pattern
This job/these jobs are available for full-time, part-time or flexible working arrangements (including Job Share arrangements).
Employment Terms: Post Type
Permanent
Employment Terms: Hours
36
Relocation Package
None
Allowances
London Location Allowance of £3,020 per annum
Benefits
None
Interview location and dates
Final Panel interviews by 20th July 2012 in central London.
Assessment Centres/Offline tests
Candidates invited to final panel interview will need to undergo an individual psychological assessment in w/c 9th July 2012. This consists of a number of personality questionnaires, two short verbal and numerical reasoning tests (for which practice tests will be made available), and a subsequent validation discussion with an assessor. The assessment does not lead to a pass or fail decision; rather, it is intended to highlight areas of strength and possible concerns which the panel can probe at interview.
Contact and further details

Applications should be uploaded via www.homeofficeappointments.com.

The How to Apply section of the website provides clear instructions; if, however, you have any queries in relation to the application process, or you experience difficulties uploading your application, please do not hesitate to telephone the GatenbySanderson team on 020 7426 3963.

Please submit your application at www.homeofficeappointments.com

Contact Details
If you have any queries about any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information or wish to have an informal and confidential discussion, then Juliet Taylor (020 7426 3990) or Mark Turner (020 7426 3983) will be pleased to take your call. GatenbySanderson will respect the privacy of any initial approach or expression of interest in this role, whether formal or informal.
The Civil Service is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and which promote equality of opportunity. We also offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet our minimum selection criteria.
We will not tolerate discrimination on any of the following: gender, marital status, sexual orientation, race, colour, nationality, religion, age, disability, HIV positivity, working pattern, caring responsibilities, trade union activity or political beliefs - or any other grounds.
External applicants should note that for posts in Northern Ireland, applications from the Roman Catholic community are particularly welcomed as this group is currently under-represented in our workforce.
Pension Statement
The appointment will be pensionable from the outset. The Civil Service offers a choice of a career average or stakeholder pension, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

The alternatives are:
• Nuvos – A high quality, index-linked defined benefit pension scheme, payable at 65, with a member contribution rate based on pensionable pay. We also make contributions and meet the bulk cost of the scheme. The percentage contribution rate can be found on the Civil Service Pensions website.

• Partnership Pension Account – this pension account provides a way of saving for retirement. The department will make contributions to a stakeholder pension, which is a form of personal pension. The departmental contribution will vary according to your age at the beginning of the tax year. You may decide how much you want to contribute, but you do not have to contribute anything. If you do contribute, the department will match your contributions up to a maximum of 3% of pensionable earnings.

If you previously worked for an employer who participated in the Civil Service Pension Scheme, different conditions may apply, as may your benefits if you left the Civil Service with an early retirement, severance, or redundancy package. Additional details can be found on the website: www.civilservice-pensions.gov.uk. Further information about these schemes will also be made available on appointment.
Closing date
5 Jul 2012