Job Specification

Purpose :

- To provide analytical and audit services to support the development and implementation of an internal audit framework at the district school board level.
- To lead in the research and development of the audit framework and related audit instruments, best practices, procedures and performance measures for sector use.
- To oversee and review audit reports, manage issues and prepare and present reports to senior audit management.
- To provide advice, information and strategic recommendations to management/stakeholders with the school board sector.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Audit Planning, Development and Implementation
- Leads and conducts a broad range of analytical and audit services related to the development and implementation of an internal audit framework and function in order to increase audit capacity for the sector and create a stronger sector with clear oversight over the policies and administrative and financial controls.
- Provides technical leadership to the ministry audit team in order to plan board audits. Develops audit methodology framework, scope, terms of reference and work plans to identify ministry risks and measure achievement of ministry objectives. Anticipates, identifies and develops/recommends resolution strategies for technical audit or policy issues in identified risk areas.
- Coordinates and conducts projects for the development and implementation of audit best practices, tools and other audit instruments for the school board sector. Develops performance measures and conducts/oversees post implementation reviews to assess the effectiveness of best practices, tools and other audit instruments and procedures.
- Evaluates sector needs, develops/presents strategies the ministry audit team can use to work collaboratively with the sector to ensure that audit best practices and principles are being followed.
- Conducts special audit assignments addressing specific audit issues to address policy or operational problems or emerging trends across the sector.
2. Research
- Leads and conducts research projects of audit procedures, best practices on audit committee representation, and internal audit practices of school boards, provincial public sector organizations and other jurisdictions and sector stakeholders.
- Conducts and oversees the research and development of charters for the establishment of audit committees and internal audit practices in school boards. Leads risk analysis, summarizes findings, develops options, and provides briefings and recommendations to senior management.
3. Communication, Advisory and Support Services
- Leads and coordinates the design, and implementation of the overall communication strategy to the school board sector related to the audit framework and instruments.
- Leads the development and coordination of training and presentation materials and delivers and evaluates training success on audit processes, procedures and best practices to the school board sector audit teams.
- Develops, manages and participates in stakeholder consultations with sector clients, ministry management and related ministry areas to identify, define, and foster alliances in order to address issues/disputes and facilitate optimum cooperative relationships.
- Provides ongoing advice and support to schools on the interpretation and implementation of the audit policy framework and complex audit issues. Provides consulting advice, interpretation and resolution strategies to the ministry's senior management for the management of program and policy issues and other project elements.
- Recommends approval of best practices and coordinates distribution within the school bard sector.
- Prepares and oversees reports, briefing notes, policy papers, etc. for senior management to highlight potential difficulties, issues and the impact on the achievement of audit programs objectives. Briefs stakeholders on the results of audits and required actions.

Knowledge / Skill :

Knowledge of and skills in:
- Generally accepted professional auditing, practices and methodologies, to plan and conduct audits; develops audit plans and terms of reference based on audit standards and control frameworks.
- Current and emerging ministry and government processes and related issues to conduct assessments and develop responsive recommendations.
- Risk management concepts, methodologies and strategies, to assess risk management practices and provide advice to senior officials and client management.
- Planning and project management skills to conduct/lead projects for the development of best practices and audit instruments, plan board audits/methodology and manage deadlines and competing interests.
- Change management skills to introduce and support innovative approaches to current audit best practices to ensure sector alignment with provincial policy.
- Evaluation techniques to monitor effective audit procedures and implement improvements where needed.
- Statistical methodologies and techniques.
- Oral and written communication techniques to review and edit audit reports and prepare provincial reports; reviews, research and statistical reports, briefing materials and correspondence; presentation skills to present information and audit findings, options and recommendations to senior officials and managers.
- Use of computer technology and standard operating software to prepare reports, maintain/access information in databases, develop information, perform data analysis and distribute information in a networking environment.

Interpersonal / Influencing Skill :

- Consultation, negotiation and relationship management skills to present concerns and issues to clients and negotiate cost beneficial and practical recommendations.
- Facilitation skills to address and resolve contentious issue arising from audits and audit recommendations.
- Mediation and persuasion skills to deal with difficult Ministry clients in the sign-off of audit objectives and to respond to audit conclusions.
- Relationship management skills to build and sustain positive relationships with clients and ministry management, and establish trust and credibility with senior management.
- Facilitation, instructing and communication skills to provide technical advice, direction, training and coaching to multi-disciplinary project teams.
- Persuasion and negotiation skills to advise and elicit support from senior management of the merits of implementing controls to mitigate risks and ensure the implementation of recommendations and actions

Analyzing / Problem Solving Skill :

Analyzing and problem-solving skills to:
- Develop and implement the district school board audit framework, plans, policies, and processes in high profile and politically sensitive areas.
- Determine audit requirements and develop plans.
- Identify control points, discrepancies and weaknesses, assessing their level of adverse impact; conduct audit and risk management research.

Decision Making / Responsibility :

Responsible for:
- Leading complex analytical and audit services to support the development and implementation of an internal audit framework at the district school board level to increase audit capacity in the sector.
- Leading research and development for audit instruments, best practices, procedures and performance measures for sector use.
- Overseeing and reviewing audit reports, preparing and presenting reports, providing senior level expertise, providing advice and strategic recommendations to ministry senior management and participating in stakeholder consultations with the school board sector and other internal and external stakeholders.
- Providing technical leadership and direction to team members assigned for specific project activities including assigning project activities, developing work plans and schedules and assigning tasks, monitoring progress and resolving issues.
Has latitude to provide advice and recommendations to senior management on audit related policies.
Decision-making is guided by legislation and related regulations, generally accepted audit principles and practices, risk management standards and strategies, provincial legislative requirements, and corporate directives.

Contacts / Stakeholder :

- Ministry staff and senior management to consult, exchange information on audit and risk management matters, and to solicit/recommend improvements in design, processes and procedures.
- Internal Audit Branch to discuss/advise on audit plans and strategies, obtain technical direction and advice and discuss audit program policies and issues.
- Audit officials of other ministries and central agencies to foster alliances, discuss best practices, provide advice on ministry audit policies and facilitate cooperative relationships.
- School boards and committees, and ministry branches to establish forums to determine/discuss audit activities, share best practices, identify emerging issues in audit reports and provide strategic and operational audit advice.
- Education stakeholders to consult on policy and program issues, build consensus, address interests, concerns and policy/legislative changes, discuss best practices and provide comprehensive advice and interpretation on ministry policies and objectives.

Guidance / Supervision :

Provides technical leadership and guidance to analysts to ensure work is consistent with overall objectives.
Provides analysis and advice to senior management to inform decision-making and support the development of a variety of comprehensive policy and program materials.
Provides functional coordination to administrative staff to relay administrative requirements.

Demands / Pressures :

Work Demands :

- Occasionally required to deal with deadlines that are subject to change without notice, priorities that are not anticipated or contentious issues that may not be covered by ministry policy that arise unexpectedly and require quick turnaround for issues management.

Mental / Sensory :

- Frequent periods of listening intently during work group meetings, reading without interruption, inspection of audit records
- Frequent periods of concentration while researching legislation and policy in the provision of financial advice.
- Frequent periods of synthesizing information quickly when responding to requests and questions from stakeholders.

Conditions / Environment :

Work is performed in a typical office environment