Head of Audit and Risk

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong leadership experience in the following areas:

• Lead Risk Management efforts in the Observatory

• Lead Internal Audit activities

• Lead investigations as directed by the Director-General or the Director of Assurance

• Undertake projects providing assurance in various areas as directed by the Director of Assurance.

• Advocate for the Assurance function in research infrastructures (RIs)

• Deputise the role of the Director of Assurance where necessary and appropriate.

The purpose of the role is critical to core Assurance functions, protecting the Observatory from risks. The Head of Audit and Risk will report to the Director of Assurance and will work with all members of the Executive Group and others internally and externally at a senior level.

This role will be based at the SKAO Global Headquarters at the iconic Jodrell Bank Observatory, Cheshire, UK.

SKAO is committed to providing an inclusive and flexible working environment, meeting the requests of our Colleagues whilst also fulfilling the needs and objectives of the Observatory.

This role requires the post holder to work across different time zones and, in line with SKAO policy, flexible working hours will be supported in agreement with the line manager.

Responsibilities

1. Lead Risk Management efforts in the Observatory in respect of:

• Observatory wide risk management policy and process

• Expert support of risk identification and analysis at Observatory level

• Independently identify risks to the Observatory, evaluate them and facilitate their management, advising as necessary

• Strategic approaches to the mitigation of risk at Observatory level, advising the Executive Group on options

• Structuring and Drafting of Risk Appetite Statements and conducting regular reviews

• The preparation and delivery of reports on high-level risks to Finance Committee and Council

• Monitor the Observatory’s high-level decision-making processes and advise the Director of Assurance on any risks arising

2. Lead Internal Audit activities in respect of:

• The delivery of a proposal for the elements of the audit cycle together with the Director of Assurance and the Executive Group

• Use expertise to procure Internal Audit services

• Manage the internal audit contract including the management of changes

• Facilitate the field work of the Internal Auditors

• Monitor and facilitate the prioritized fulfilment of action items arising from findings, working with Directors and Heads

• Identify and initiate in-house audits where there is potential for unmanaged risk in any part of the business

3. Lead investigations as directed by the Director-General or the Director of Assurance, into:

• Failures of process or conduct highlighted by an internal or in-house audit

• Incidents occurring through unidentified or inadequately managed risks

• Failures brought to the attention of Assurance by any other means

4. Undertake projects providing assurance in areas of sustainability, corporate responsibility, business ethics, staff security, Observatory resilience, industry relations and others as directed by the Director of Assurance. The projects would include the management of risks identified through in-house audits and not allocatable to other parts of the business.

The projects would include the management of risks identified through in-house audits and not allocatable to other parts of the business.

5. Advocate for the Assurance function in research infrastructures (RIs), peer with colleagues in other RIs and represent the Observatory at major events where quality and assurance in international RIs are discussed. Take a leading role in the development of Assurance in RIs globally.

6. Deputise the role of the Director of Assurance where necessary and appropriate.

Qualifications

• Qualifications in business administration, risk management or engineering project management

• Substantial experience in the management of major construction projects (civils, environmental, energy, resources, etc) at senior level

• Substantial experience in developing and implementing risk management policies, processes and risk appetite statements

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