Assurance Lead

Job summary

If you�re interested in making a difference to people�s lives, the Treasury can offer you an exciting opportunity to influence decision making that affects the whole of the UK. Working at the heart of government, we collaborate across government to promote responsible public spending and drive strong and sustainable economic growth. �

Our work ranges from protecting customers through the regulation of the financial sector, helping to reduce carbon emissions and creating a greener economy, to promoting British trade around the world and supporting people across the country on jobs, growth and more. �

HM Treasury is proud of a diverse and inclusive work environment, committed to fairness and the promotion of equality of opportunity for all. We know that having a range of experiences, ways of working and thinking makes us stronger and better at developing policy that reflects the needs of every community. We embrace different views and experiences and value the new perspective that people from a variety of circumstances bring to the work we do. We welcome applications from candidates who have not previously worked for the Civil Service, mid- and late-career changers with transferrable skills, people from all backgrounds and circumstances regardless of disability, gender, age ethnicity, LGBT+ identity and socio-economic status. �

We are part of the , a pioneering new cross-government hub which brings people together to play an active role in the most important issues of the day whilst working closer to the communities we serve. The campus provides the opportunity for people from all over the UK to help shape the future of the country, and our flexible working practices ensure you can collaborate effectively with our partners. It�s central government, made more accessible to you 

Job description

About the Group

The Corporate Centre Group delivers a wide range of corporate services to enable people at HM Treasury and many of the other organisations who form part of the Treasury Group (including the Government Internal Audit Agency and the Debt Management Office) to operate effectively and efficiently. We are a diverse group, both in terms of our professions and in our ways of working. Our colleagues are based across 3 sites in London, Darlington and Norwich.�

The Corporate Centre Group consists of a range of teams and is led by two directors (one of Finance and one of Operations);�

Correspondence and Information Rights�Finance & Commercial�People & Capability�Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging�Treasury Business Solutions�Multisite Darlington Economic Campus team�Exchequer Funds & Accounts team�

About the Team

HM Treasury�s Group Finance team, within the Corporate Centre Group, comprises approximately 50-60 staff across our London, Darlington and Norwich offices. We provide sound financial management advice and information for internal use, and accurate information for Parliamentary control and public accountability.

Within the wider Finance team, you will join a small team of about five risk, counter fraud and assurance specialists. We provide a counter fraud function for the department, lead on operational risk, and provide strategic oversight of the assurance and controls we must employ over Arms� Length Bodies in the HMT Group. We are a friendly, encouraging, and inclusive team, and we are committed to actively supporting everyone�s wellbeing and professional development.

About the Job

We are looking for someone who has the right set of skills to improve our oversight of public bodies that the Treasury has responsibility for. Relevant experience or expertise in areas such as risk or audit is desirable.

You will gain a unique insight into Treasury�s high-profile public bodies and the critical work they do for government These include the recently established UK Infrastructure Bank, National Savings and Investments, and the Reclaim Fund. Guiding the sponsor teams that have policy responsibility for these bodies, you will use informed judgement to ensure that there are suitable controls in place. This role will be vital in demonstrating that we are delivering value for money and are managing risks optimally.

To succeed as an Assurance Lead, you need to demonstrate a range of skills including effective problem-solving, project delivery, senior stakeholder engagement, and the ability to clearly explain your thinking both in writing and in person. This role will suit someone who is comfortable planning and delivering research independently and producing high-quality reports and briefings. You will enjoy using your initiative to identify and challenge gaps in assurance, representing Treasury�s interests with internal and external senior stakeholders. You will be responsible for collating evidence, advising on the scope of the reviews, and making recommendations across multiple criteria and for a diverse set of bodies.

Great assurance is an area of increasing interest and importance for government to help drive efficiencies and improve financial and strategic controls. You will be joining at a time of rapid growth for the risk profession (the Risk Centre of Excellence for government is also based in the department). This is a brilliant opportunity to help build risk and assurance professionalism at the heart of government.

Key accountabilities:

Deliver the Public Bodies Review Programme for HMT Group, planning and scoping each in-depth review, making recommendations, writing reports and briefings, and thus providing valuable assurance to our Accounting Officer and Ministers that our Arms� Length Bodies remain useful and necessary.Lead on assurance activities for the group, ensuring that we have effective oversight of strategic issues or risks and driving agreed improvements forwards with senior stakeholders.Manage cross-cutting commissions and communications to sponsor teams to streamline work and bring efficiencies to our governance and assurance oversight.Research and publish key related products such as the Accounting Officer System Statement and contribute to our Annual Report on Accounts.Continuously build your expertise in assurance and sponsorship, proactively knowledge-sharing to improve wider team and departmental capabilities.Provide papers and briefings as required including to our Assurance and Risk Committee.Develop and maintain positive relationships with key partners including the Cabinet Office, HMT sponsor teams, and colleagues in finance and the Corporate Centre Group.Support the priority objectives of the risk and assurance team, adopting a collaborative approach and be willing to tackle on additional tasks based on business need.

Candidate Drop-In Session��
We will be running a candidate drop-in session for this role to give you greater insight about the role as well as the chance to learn more about HM Treasury and the recruitment process. If you would like to join us, then use the appropriate link below to join the call at the right time.�

Thursday 23rd May, 2pm:

Person specification

We are looking for the below skills, experience and behaviours and we will ask you to demonstrate these in your application form. Please review the Candidate FAQ document that is attached to the advert for guidance on how to complete your application form.

Experience of delivering risk, audit or assurance in the public sector. (Experience)Successfully deliver high quality outcomes that show value for money as well as identifying risks and resolving issues effectively.�(Managing a Quality Service)Constructively challenge and motivate teams and senior leaders to support improved outcomes. (Working together)Analyse and use a range of credible internal and external sources of information to support decisions, showing confidence in the decisions that you make. (Making effective decisions)

The lead criterion is: Experience of delivering risk, audit or assurance in the public sector (Experience).

If we receive large volumes of applications, we will conduct an initial sift on the lead criterion only.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

Managing a Quality ServiceWorking TogetherMaking Effective DecisionsSeeing the Big Picture

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

Managing a Quality ServiceWorking TogetherMaking Effective Decisions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of �39,500, HM Treasury contributes �10,665 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. 25 days� annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the King's birthday (unless you have a legacy arrangement as an existing Civil Servant)��Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours)��Generous parental and adoption leave package.�A which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and average employer contributions of 27%��Onsite restaurant and coffee bar. The London office also offers a gym, showers and prayer room��Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving��Access to a retail discounts and cashback site��A Rental Deposit Advance Scheme to help meet the total costs of deposits for privately rented homes��A range of active staff networks, based around interests ( analysts, music society, sports and social club) and diversity ( women in the Treasury, ethnic minority network, LGBT* network, faith and belief network)�

Flexible Working Arrangements

HM Treasury views flexible working as essential in enabling us to recruit and retain talented people, ensuring that they can enjoy a long-lasting career with us. All employees have the right to apply for flexible working and there are a range of options available including; part-time, compressed hours and job sharing. Additionally, we operate flexitime systems, allowing employees the flexibility to adjust their working patterns throughout the week which is subject to operational needs and line management approval.��

At HM Treasury we have an incredibly broad remit; our work touches every citizen of the country. So, it�s important our employees come from the widest possible range of backgrounds, bringing us the widest possible range of perspectives and ways of thinking. We are committed to ensuring that all staff can realize their potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.�

HM Treasury operates an office based working approach across all Treasury sites - Darlington, London, and Norwich, and along with the rest of the Civil Service, has an expectation of a minimum of 60% attendance in the office, along with working remotely. This blended working approach allows you to work collaboratively, meet stakeholders face to face, support others and promotes a healthy work life balance (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone�s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review. All our offices have been recently modernised and designed to collaborate and connect with colleagues as well as desk and quiet space to allow a range of ways to work.

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