Standards Assurance Assessor

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.

• 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

• Conduct independent checks on IQAS outputs to assess accuracy, consistency and alignment with MaPS Standards
• Identify variances in scoring, interpretation or methodology and elevate 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

• 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

• 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

• 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
• 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.

• Manage workload to meet agreed priorities and service levels
• Work independently within defined frameworks and methodologies

• 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

• Experience working with assurance data or management information to identify trends or themes
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

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:

We care about our colleagues and the people whose lives we are here to transform.

We will transform lives through our ability to make positive connections.

We are committed to…