Description
The Director of Internal Audit and Investigations is FCDO's senior Internal Audit leader, responsible for providing independent and objective assurance on the effectiveness of the Department's governance, risk management and internal control.
This is a stretching, high-profile and business-critical leadership position. Reporting directly to the 2nd Permanent Under-Secretary, you will lead a function of 78 colleagues across FCDO's three UK locations, providing independent assurance across a complex global diplomatic, development and consular portfolio operating around the world. You will provide an independent annual opinion on FCDO's governance, risk management and internal control and have a close professional relationship with the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC) and its Chair.
The Directorate also encompasses FCDO's specialist investigations capability. This includes the Department's whistleblowing and reporting-concerns arrangements and independent investigation of higher-risk fraud and safeguarding matters. You will provide strategic leadership and oversight of this work, supported by experienced specialist leadership within the Directorate.
Responsibilities:
- Lead a strong, independent Internal Audit function – Provide strategic and professional leadership to FCDO's Internal Audit service, delivering a high-quality, dynamic and risk-based programme of assurance across the UK and overseas network, in accordance with relevant professional standards.
- Provide authoritative assurance to FCDO's most senior leadership – Provide an evidenced annual opinion on the effectiveness of FCDO's governance, risk management and internal control, together with clear and timely insight throughout the year.
- Develop a modern and increasingly technology-enabled approach to assurance – Build on the strengths of the existing function, harnessing data, technology and appropriate AI-enabled opportunities to improve audit planning, delivery, insight and impact.
- Lead a strategic, risk-based programme of assurance – Ensure that the audit programme responds effectively to FCDO's changing risk environment, combining assurance across the overseas network with thematic and strategic work covering major corporate, programme and transformation activity.
- Provide strategic leadership of FCDO's investigations capability – Oversee the specialist investigations function, including higher-risk fraud and safeguarding investigations, ensuring that investigations are independent, proportionate, sensitive and professionally rigorous.
- Lead the profession and develop organisational capability – Provide visible and inclusive leadership to a high-performing team of Internal Audit and investigations professionals.
Person specification:
- Internal Audit leadership and professional credibility – Significant senior-level experience of leading a high-quality, strategic and risk-based Internal Audit function in a large and complex organisation.
- Modernisation and innovation – A track record of developing and improving Internal Audit capability, including using data, technology and innovative approaches.
- Complexity and international or dispersed operations – Experience of operating successfully within a large, complex and geographically dispersed organisation.
- Leadership, influence and risk judgement – Strong corporate and team leadership experience, including leading and developing high-performing professional teams.
- Investigations and professional oversight – Experience of leading or overseeing investigations, counter-fraud, safeguarding and/or comparable specialist activity.
- Professional qualification – A relevant professional qualification in Internal Audit and/or Accountancy.
Benefits:
- Salary of £105,000 - £162,500 per year
- Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- Flexible working options
- Culture encouraging inclusion and diversity