Standards Assurance Assessor in Bedford

Join us at the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) as a Standards Assurance Assessor. The purpose of the role is to deliver independent assurance activity within the MaPS Standards Assurance Model (SAM), supporting the organisation’s second- and third-line assurance of customer-facing services. The role focuses on testing, validation and evidence gathering to ensure that assurance activity carried out by third parties is robust, consistent and aligned to MaPS Standards, regulatory expectations and defined methodologies. The role is responsible for supporting oversight of outsourced Independent Quality Assurance Services (IQAS), including checking the quality and consistency of assessments undertaken, and ensuring alignment with MaPS interpretation of Standards and expected outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Standards Assurance Delivery
  • Deliver assurance activity in line with the Standards Assurance Model (SAM)
  • Conduct testing, validation and evidence review of assurance outputs
  • Ensure consistent interpretation and application of MaPS Standards
  • Provide objective, evidence-based findings on service performance and quality
• IQAS Oversight and Validation
  • Conduct independent checks on IQAS outputs to assess accuracy, consistency and alignment with MaPS Standards
  • Identify variances in scoring, interpretation or methodology and escalate where required
  • Support calibration and alignment between MaPS, IQAS and delivery partners
  • Support validation of identified compliance issues and performance concerns by reviewing underlying evidence and ensuring consistency of interpretation prior to escalation
• Appeals Process Oversight
  • Manage the operational relationship with the independent appeals provider
  • Review appeal outcomes to ensure alignment with MaPS Standards interpretation and expected outcomes
  • Identify trends or inconsistencies in appeal decisions and feed into assurance improvement activity
• Insight, MI and Evidence
  • Produce clear, factual and evidence-based outputs from assurance activity
  • Identify risks, themes and improvement opportunities
  • Support the creation of defensible evidence for governance, audit and regulatory purposes
• Continuous Improvement and Methodology Development
  • Support testing and validation of new assurance methodologies and approaches, including assessing consistency of outputs and alignment to expected standards
  • Provide feedback to support development and refinement of SAM methodologies
  • Provide feedback on effectiveness and consistency of current assurance models, tools and delivery
• Stakeholder & Supplier Working
  • Work collaboratively with Standards Assurance Managers, Leads and wider teams
  • Support engagement with delivery partners and external assurance providers where required
  • Actively participate in calibration activity across internal and external assurance functions to ensure consistent interpretation and application of MaPS Standards
• Delivery & Work Management
  • Manage workload to meet agreed priorities and service levels
  • Work independently within defined frameworks and methodologies

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Essential:
  • Knowledge of debt advice services, regulatory requirements and delivery models
  • Maintains appropriate CPD to support up-to-date technical knowledge required for the role
  • Knowledge of money and pensions guidance services and delivery models
  • Experience of working within quality assurance, assurance or regulatory environments
  • Experience of assessing evidence against defined standards, frameworks or methodologies ensuring consistency of application
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to make consistent, evidence-based decisions
• Desirable:
  • Experience working with assurance data or management information to identify trends or themes
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills

About Us

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is based in Bedford, in a recently renovated modern office. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to become an integral part of a dynamic organisation, working to help people across the UK.

At the heart of the Money and Pensions Service are our values – caring, connecting, and transforming, which are the foundation of our success. They permeate every area of our work and define all our business relationships and the way we work with each other. We’re not only looking for the best people to come and work for us, but we need people who align themselves with our values:

• Caring: We care about our colleagues and the people whose lives we are here to transform.
• Connecting: We will transform lives through our ability to make positive connections.
• Transforming: We are committed to transforming lives and making a positive societal impact.

Our Inclusive Working Environment

By fostering our values, we are immensely proud of the inclusive working environment that we have created. The diversity of our people is a strength that we embrace and wish to build upon, so we are committed to attracting people of all backgrounds. We work hard to ensure that we have a progressive approach to inclusion, equity, and belonging. We really do want our colleagues to “bring their whole selves to work.” Our colleague and ally networks encompass LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, women’s health, men’s health, ethnicity, and diversity.

What We Offer

• Generous Annual Leave – 30 days plus Bank Holidays
• Pension scheme – contributions matched 2 to 1 (employer contribution up to 10% of your salary)
• Interest-free loan for season tickets for buses and trains
• Cycle to work Scheme
• Subsidised eye tests & flu jabs
• Life assurance scheme
• Give as you earn scheme
• Employee assistance programme (EAP)
• PAM Assist and PAM Life scheme (Wellbeing)
• Enhanced family and sick pay
• Paid volunteering (2 days a year)
• Recognition Scheme
• Discounts portal to numerous retailers

Flexible Working

At MaPS, we take pride in our flexible approach to work. Hybrid working is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and our headquarters in Bedford will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business needs, but personal and other relevant circumstances will also be considered. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

Career Development

In MaPS, we take career development seriously. We actively encourage and support applications from our existing MaPS colleagues. However, we do follow the Civil Service Commissioner recruitment principles, which means that you will be required to participate in a full, open, and fair process.

Reserve List

If you are successful at interview, we operate a reserve list where your details will be held for up to 6 months. Should a vacancy come available in that time with the same essential criteria, reserve list candidates will be offered that position with no further assessment required.

Application Process

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact the Money and Pensions Service via email: recruitment@maps.org.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website.

Job Reference: MaPS01269

Close Date: 07/09/2026