Purpose of the post
•To ensure that the people of Gwynedd are central to everything we do.
•To assist the Audit Manager in developing, implementing and managing a comprehensive Audit strategy and programme for the whole range of Agency functions and activities.
•To assist the Internal Audit function in providing assurance on the effectiveness of the control environment and governance arrangements.
•To assist the Audit Manager to undertake confidential/sensitive audits and investigations on behalf of the Agency Senior Management Team.
•To assist the Audit Manager with Systems Thinking / LEAN working.
Responsibility for functions
•PC, Laptop, Audit files.
•Populating and maintaining the audit database.
Main duties
•Undertake investigations, reviews, testing, and audits of administrative systems, contracts, projects, , and organisations relating to governance frameworks, risk management, and internal controls, in accordance with Public Sector Internal Audit Standards, under the direction of Audit Manager.
•Assist Audit Manager with responsive or special audits, including irregularities, fraud, and disciplinary matters, and immediately inform the Audit Manager of any irregularities.
•Communicate with stakeholders including Heads of Service, Senior Managers, Managers, core staff, and service users during audit reviews.
•Prepare audit programmes.
•Produce working papers and prepare audit reports for each review, identifying potential risks in governance, risk management, and internal controls, and discuss findings with relevant officers/managers to agree mitigating actions.
•Responsible for ensuring timely delivery of audit fieldwork, draft reports and final reports.
•Responsible for ensuring that decisions are made based on evidence.
•Contribute to and undertake value-for-money studies.
•To assist the Audit Manager on the development of a recovery plan for all identified noncompliance/control weaknesses and follow up on the implementation of corrective actions.
•Advise and provide guidance to clients regarding internal controls, governance arrangements, and sound financial administration.
•To assist the Audit Manager in building and maintaining a strong relationship with internal stakeholders (senior officers, agency management team) and external stakeholders (Welsh Government Officers, BSi etc).
•To assist the Audit Manager in monitoring legal, regulatory and policy developments that impact audit, finance and local government operations (including Welsh Government regulations etc).
•To assist the Audit Manager in ensuring that the principles of corporate policies permeate the service.
•To assist the Audit Manager to implement change within the service area where it is necessary to do so.
•To assist the Audit Manager in ensuring that complaints receive appropriate attention and that the team considers any lessons that arise to improve service.
•To assist the Audit Manager in undertaking confidential/sensitive audits and investigations on behalf of the Agency Senior Management Team in relation to Partner Authority performance/private sector supplier performance/internal disciplinary matters (as required).
•Represent the Audit Manager at meetings and working groups when required.
•Maintain strict confidentiality in relation to all Agency activities in accordance with the Public Sector Internal Audit Code of Ethics.
Systems Thinking / LEAN working
•To assist the Audit Manager on Systems Thinking projects across the Agency in order to improve services, reduce waste, and deliver in line with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.
•To work collaboratively with senior leaders, managers and staff to redesign services from the customer’s perspective, using data, insight and engagement to understand and address root causes of demand.
•To support the Audit Manager in championing Systems Thinking as a core organisational approach to improvement, ensuring alignment with corporate policies and well-being objectives.
•To embed continuous learning and reflective practice across the agency.
•To assist the Audit Manager in the design and delivery of cross-cutting reviews to identify system-wide issues, inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement.
•To support the Audit Manager in facilitating workshops and learning sessions to develop internal capacity in systems thinking.
Health & Safety and Environment
•It is the responsibility of every employee within the Agency to comply with the Health and Safety, environmental and quality policies as defined within the Agency Integrated Business Management System.
•To ensure that Health and Safety at Work and environmental legislation and policies are strictly adhered to.
•Undertake personal Health and Safety responsibility at all times.
General
•To liaise as appropriate with Agency officers, WG Officers, Partner Authorities and other relevant bodies.
•To foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. In this context, to monitor technological, contractual and other developments in the industry, including new methods, with the aim of adopting best practice wherever appropriate.
•To assist and support other Agency officers in the fulfilment of their duties.
•To represent the interests of the Agency generally at meetings with stakeholders.
•Managerial, administrative, technical and professional duties commensurate with the status of the post.
•Responsibility for self-development.
•Ensure compliance with Health and Safety rules in the workplace in accordance with the responsibilities noted in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.
•Operate within the Council’s policies in relation to equal opportunities and equality.
•Responsible for managing information in accordance with the Council’s information management guidelines. Ensure that personal information is treated in accordance with Data Protection legislation.
•Commitment to reducing the Council’s carbon emissions in accordance with the Carbon Management Plan, and to encourage others to act positively towards reducing the Council’s Carbon Footprint.
•Undertake any other reasonable duty which corresponds to the salary level and responsibility level of the job.
•Responsibility to report any concern or suspicion that a child or vulnerable adult is being abused.
Special circumstances
•Ability to act appropriately where fraud is identified, including liaising with the Police and preparing reports and evidence as required.
•The need to work outside normal working hours to meet the requirements of the Service.
•Visit construction sites.
•Attend meetings in other parts of the UK (e.g. Llandrindod, Cardiff).