Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To plan, manage and provide leadership for the development and implementation of a strategic audit, consulting and advisory plan for the audit function and delivery of a range of audit services to a large or high profile ministry or cluster of several ministries and/or agencies, consistent with Memorandum of Agreements which reflect control and risk assessment strategies, structures and systems to measure the achievement of ministry objectives.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Statement of Major Responsibilities (How is purpose achieved?)

Within the Division, assists the government in meeting its business objectives by evaluating and making recommendations to improve the government's risk management, controllership, accountability and governance processes and to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and economy of government operations, the position:

1. Manages and provides leadership in the development of a strategic audit, consulting and advisory plan for the audit function of a large or high profile ministry or cluster of several ministries and/or agencies which have many complex audit requirements, risk and issues. Assesses, designs and implements control strategies, structures and systems, the development of priorities, risk structure/systems, standards and mitigation strategies aimed at controlling and measuring the achievement of ministry objectives which are often politically sensitivity and have many competing priorities. Provides input/validation for the development of a risk assessment framework. Assists the Cluster Audit Director in preparing strategic and operational audit plans for each ministry served.

2. Provides strategic and authoritative expertise, advice and support to senior management (i.e. Directors, ADMs, Ministers and Deputy Ministers) about the functioning and adequacy/effectiveness of each ministry's control strategies, structures and systems and negotiates the processes by which ongoing reviews can be undertaken to improve each ministry's understanding of risk associated with its functioning, contexts and methods and methods and to consider needs and opportunities to redefine business and ways of doing business to reduce significant political impact and public scrutiny in a complex working environment.

3. Provides strategic and operational advice, expertise and communications to senior management including advising on the results of audits and investigations and proactively problem solving a range of issues, highly conceptual systems and disaster plans including proactive resolution to often complex and high profile issues which have a direct impact on ministry operations. Prepares and/or coordinates the preparation and review of briefing notes, House Book notes, issues analysis and responses to FOI requests.

4. Conducts organizational scans and monitors future trends within the environment, government and profession to assess needs and to position the audit function. Identifies new trends in customer needs; evaluates client base services provided for alignment with business direction. Develops and markets the communication, marketing and education strategy in alignment with business area and government direction for diverse client group(s). Monitors key issues and initiatives from a risk and control perspective for each ministry served.

5. Manages all aspects of audit services consistent with the various diverse Memorandum of Agreement(s) including leading the development of work plans for a broad range and complexity of audits (e.g. compliance, financial management, value for money, forensic, information technology) which reflect endorsed assurance strategies and leads the establishment of measurement criteria and selection of methodological options for use in the project. Ensures work plans reflect priorities assigned in assurance strategies, provides guidance for specific project assignments, maintains liaison with clients throughout the project; and assesses whether project's objectives were met.

6. Manages relationships and networks with clients, ministry management and cluster colleagues including identifying, defining, and fostering alliances across the areas; developing and monitoring strategic processes to address disputes and to facilitate optimum co-operative relationships.

7. Provides leadership, coaching and management to assigned Audit staff including making decisions on hiring, assigning work, approving merits, managing performance, including determining performance standards and conducting performance reviews, providing training, and development, handling disciplinary and labour relations issues including Stage 1 grievances. Ensures compliance with occupational health and safety legislation and program requirements.

8. Determines the unique capabilities/competencies and resources required to meet the diverse and high profile needs of the client and to support service delivery. Establishes a best practice and professional culture within the function. Assesses project performance against cluster and divisional objectives/performance targets and initiates corrective action to improve cluster performance. Ensures ongoing continuous improvement in the branch through a quality assurance program and continuous improvement activities.

9. Plans and manages several concurrent special projects as required which have multiple project teams of external service providers. Acquires, manages, and evaluates contractual agreements and ensure terms of agreements are met with often tight deadlines.

10. Participates as a member of various ministry committees and government wide committees to provide ministry input to government and ministry audits, business and financial planning and policies. Leads Audit Committee meetings for each ministry served in the absence of the Cluster Audit Director.

11. Acts as a key liaison with the Provincial Auditor to facilitate cooperative efforts and ensure timely information and support are provided.

12. Acts for the Cluster Audit Director during absences

Knowledge :

Position requires knowledge of generally accepted auditing standards and accounting principles, practices, methodologies, and advancements in audit methodologies and practices to plan, manage and provide leadership for the development of a strategic audit, consulting and advisory plan for the audit function of a large or high profile ministry or cluster of ministries and/or agencies and to provide strategic and authoritative advice and expertise to senior management in such auditing/business management principles and practices as: governance and risk management and accountability, performance management and quality management systems and mitigation strategies. Knowledge of information systems audit standards and practices including systems development life cycle methodologies, security and control, disaster recovery techniques to manage information technology audits and advise on control systems and design procedures. Knowledge of project management methodology and strong project management skills to manage the planning and conduct of several concurrent audit projects. Knowledge of advances in technology and their impact on the audit function to ensure appropriate systems are utilized in support of ongoing section activities. Knowledge of the business, programs, policies and legislative authorities unique to several diverse and complex client groups to ensure the legislative and statutory requirements that effect client business, programs and services are identified and incorporated into audit program and projects and to provide leadership and expertise which support the range of clients' businesses. Knowledge of marketing and education techniques to develop and market the communication, marketing and education strategy regarding the audit function to diverse customers. Analytical and problem solving skills to analyse current processes and identify opportunities for continuous improvement and the resulting impact on key performance measures, resource allocation, and cost benefit to make process improvements and to handle a range of issues related to . Oral communication, consultative and business relationship skills to manage relationships and networks with clients, ministry management and cluster colleagues; to provide advice and expertise to senior officials and management. Written communication skills to prepare briefing notes, House Book notes, issues analysis and responses to FOI requests and to develop work plans for the Audit function. Management, leadership and coaching skills to manage and motivate assigned staff. Change management and consulting skills to introduce and support innovative approaches to current audit best practices within the public and private sectors. Knowledge of computer applications, controls and computer assisted audit techniques to extract and analyze information contained in computer programs; PC skills for word processing, spreadsheet, graphics, e-mail and database applications.

Judgement :

Position works under the general direction Audit Director and within guidelines available in the form of professional standards, ministry and government policies, guidelines and directives, Management Board Directives and relevant legislation and regulations. The position functions with a considerable degree of independence and within an environment of rapid change and ambiguity. A high level of professional judgement is exercised in developing a strategic audit, consulting and advisory plan for the audit function of a large or high profile ministry or cluster of ministries with consideration to the businesses and functions of the ministry/cluster and how the risks are addressed in audit planning for the development of a risk assessment framework. Judgement is exercised in providing strategic and proactive advice and recommendations to senior management including senior officials regarding the functioning and adequacy/effectiveness of each ministry's control strategies, structures and systems while ensuring sensitivity in negotiating processes which may not be readily accepted by clients but will ultimately provide opportunities for clients to improve the ways they do business. Judgement is also exercised in anticipating potential risks and control problems to reduce significant political impact and public scrutiny in an environment where many audit issues have a direct impact on operations of often several client areas. Position exercises judgement in ensuring effective relationships with clients and management are maintained to ensure fostering of alliances and co-operative effort during the course of audits. A high level of judgement is exercised in leading, coaching and managing staff in an environment of constant change and competing priorities. Judgement is exercised in anticipating potential risks and control problems with consideration to the need to reduce significant political impact and public scrutiny where many audit issues have a direct and critical impact on ministry operations

Accountability - Programs :

Accountable for developing and implementing a strategic audit, consulting and advisory plan for the audit function and delivery of a range of audit services to a large or high profile ministry or cluster of several ministries and/or agencies, consistent with various diverse Memorandum of Agreements which reflect control and risk assessment strategies, structures and systems to measure the achievement of client objectives including provision of expertise and advice on control, risk, mitigation strategies, structures and systems. Provides input/validation for the development of a risk assessment framework. Provides strategic advice to senior officials regarding audits and investigations within the ministry/cluster. Develops and markets the communication, marketing and education strategy in alignment with business area and government direction. Assists the Cluster Audit Director in preparing strategic and operational audit plans for each ministry served.

Accountability – Personnel :

Position manages up to 10 auditors and has full management authority and decision making including hiring, determining performance standards and conducting performance reviews, handling disciplinary and labour relations matters.

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

Plans and manages the unit budget and manages contractual agreements with multiple service providers

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Ineffective planning and management of the audit function, systems, services and plans for the ministry/cluster of ministries and/or agencies would seriously impact the functioning of the organizations and may result in poorly conceived recommendations/advice which is relied upon by senior officials. An ineffective audit plan could result in addressing areas of insignificant risk to the government resulting in poor advice and an inefficient use of resources and subsequently impact senior management decisions and impact directly on the achievement of business objectives, lead to financial losses, ineffective and inefficient business operations, potential risks and liability. Failure to provide effective advice to senior officials could result in the inability of the Director, ADMs, Deputy and Minister to respond to issues, which may be high profile and cause criticism by the media and the public.

Contact - Internal :

Frequent contact with client senior management to provide strategic and authoritative advice, expertise and recommendations regarding the functioning and adequacy of each ministry's control strategies and systems; with clients, ministry management and cluster colleagues to foster alliances, address disputes and facilitate co-operative relationships; with senior ministry officials (i.e. Director, ADM's, Ministers and Deputy Ministers) to provide strategic and operational advice on results of audits and investigations and to provide proactive resolution to often complex and high profile issues. Participates as a member of various ministry committees and government wide committees. Occasional contact with the Provincial Auditor's office to facilitate co-operative efforts and provide information/support on audits and on enterprise and corporate planning. Leads Audit Committee meetings for each ministry services in the absence of the Cluster Audit Director.

Contact - External :

Frequent contact with external audit professionals to manage several concurrent projects conducted or resourced by external suppliers. Regular contact with other governments and counterparts in the public and private sectors to monitor future trends in the field.