Audit and Risk Lead

This role leads the Authority’s audit and risk management function. It is a varied and challenging position within a small team that will require the postholder to balance two key roles. You will undertake a traditional risk management role whilst also providing expert advice to the Accountable Officer and Board on the Authority’s oversight of Police Scotland including managing the outsourced internal audit function.

You will:

• Be responsible for leading the risk management of SPA Forensic Services and SPA corporate (the function that supports oversight of policing).
• Provide day to day risk management support and guidance to SPA corporate and to a greater extent Forensic Services, ensuring adherence to applicable risk management policies that ultimately support delivery of business objectives and strategies.
• Lead on the Authority’s risk oversight role.
• Be a strategic advisor to the Accountable Officer (Chief Executive) and Board Members on audit and risk matters relating to the Authorities oversight role for Police Scotland.
• Support the effective operation of the Authority’s Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee that provides oversight and scrutiny of all significant audit and risk matters concerning the Authority and Police Scotland.
• Manage and co-ordinate the outsourced internal audit contract for Scottish policing.
• Be responsible for monitoring the implementation of improvement recommendations identified by external bodies (HMICS, Internal Audit etc).
• Support implementation and tracking of SPA’s continuous improvement journey demonstrating Best Value.
• Manage SPA Corporate’s business continuity plan.
• Have line management responsibility for an audit risk and assurance officer and will also be required to work closely with equivalent Police Scotland staff.

Full details regarding this vacancy can be found in the attached Role Profile. You should hold a relevant qualification or have significant practice experience delivering audit and risk services in large organisations. A sound knowledge of risk management and how the control environment contributes to a successful organisation is important. Experience in the policing environment is not necessary.

We offer the flexibility to work in the office or at home based on individual preference. Arrangements are flexible and it is expected that you will work from the office at least one to two days per week. In addition, you will periodically travel to other Forensics sites across Scotland to undertake work as required.

Benefits: You can expect a rewarding and varied career with Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority. We offer competitive salaries, annual salary increments and a wide range of employee benefits.

• Salary - a competitive salary with automatic annual salary increments as well as any negotiated pay awards.
• Pension - entitlement to join a defined benefit Local Government Pension Scheme. The Local Government Pension Scheme offers many benefits including: life cover, pension in the event of death in service, flexible retirements, etc.
• Annual leave - on appointment you will receive 28 days annual leave per year and an additional 6 public holidays rising to 34 days leave (plus 6 public holidays) after four years' service.
• Flexible working time - the service's flexi-time policy allows staff to balance their work and home life while ensuring that service needs are met. There are no core hours and flexi time applies between 7am to 7pm with the added benefit that additional time off can be accrued using flexi-time.

Applicants must be a British citizen, a member of the EU or other states in the EEA, a Commonwealth citizen or a foreign national free of restrictions. You should have been resident in the UK for a minimum of five years immediately prior to application for this role.