*Closes 14th November*

Introduction

The Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, is seeking to appoint a new Cabinet Office Audit and Risk Committee (COARC) Chair and Non-Executive Board Member (NEBM). The COARC Chair has a crucial role in the Cabinet Office, providing expert and impartial advice to the Board and Accounting Officer on matters of financial accountability, risk, control, assurance and governance. In addition to chairing COARC, the role includes wider responsibilities as a Non-Executive Board Member in supporting and challenging ministers and officials in the delivery of the department’s priorities.

Additional introductions

Dear Candidate,
Thank you for your interest in this vacancy for an Audit and Risk Committee Chair and Non-Executive Board Member of the Cabinet Office Board. You may already have some idea about the important work of the Cabinet Office Board; the following pages will tell you more about the Cabinet Office Board its purpose, the nature of the Board and this Audit and Risk Committee Chair and Non-Executive Board Member role, as well as the application process. Please do also view the Cabinet Office Board website to understand their work: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/cabinet-office-board
If, after reading the material, you have further questions about any aspect of this post you are welcome to speak to the Cabinet Office Governance Team via governance@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you have questions about the appointment process, you can contact the Cabinet Office Public Appointments Team via coappointments@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.
If you believe you have the experience and qualities we are seeking, we very much look forward to hearing from you.
Cat Little CB, Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary

Role description

The Non-Executive Board Member aspect of the role is varied and covers a range of issues and agendas. No month will look the same but general activities include:

  • Acting as a trusted sounding board to ministers and senior officials as appropriate, on apolitical considerations including operational delivery; financial management; risk appetite; talent/people; technology and management information.
  • Providing mentorship, scrutiny, challenge and advice about the operational implications of policy, delivery and transformation proposals by:
    • Reviewing the department’s business plans and challenging progress;
    • Scrutinising reporting from the department on performance and challenging the department on its appropriateness as well as progress.
  • Supporting and ensuring appropriate approval processes are followed, identifying and mitigating risks, and ensuring pragmatic governance is adhered to.
  • Undertaking deep dives into departmental risks and material delivery challenges.
  • Attending occasional government-wide meetings for non-executives to share best practice and to ensure the department learns from the successes and failures of comparable organisations.

The Audit and Risk Committee Chair aspect of the role includes:

  • Chairing circa four to five Audit and Risk Committee meetings a year;
  • Reviewing the Departmental Strategic Risk Register and providing challenge, advice and feedback in line with the risk appetite defined by the Departmental Board;
  • Advising and scrutinising the Department’s implementation of Corporate Governance Policies;
  • Leading the assessment of the Governance Statement on behalf of the Board which is included in the Annual Report; and
  • Supporting the Board and Principal Accounting Officer by reviewing and formally recommending the signing of the Department’s Annual Report and Accounts.

Cabinet Office Audit and Risk Committee (COARC) Chair and Non-Executive Board Member

Number of vacancies x 1

Time commitment x 24 day(s) per annum

Remuneration £20000 per annum

Length of term x 3

Application deadline x Midday on 14 November 2024

Organisation description

The Cabinet Office supports the Prime Minister and ensures the effective running of government. It is also the corporate headquarters for the government, in partnership with HM Treasury, taking the lead in certain critical policy areas.

We currently employ around 9,000 staff with our main offices in London and Glasgow, but we have staff based around the country. The Cabinet Office is supported by a number of arms’ length bodies.

We have responsibility for:

  • Supporting collective government, helping to ensure the effective development, coordination and implementation of policy
  • Promoting efficiency and reform across government through innovation, better procurement and project management, and by transforming the delivery of services
  • Supporting the National Security Council and the Joint Intelligence Organisation, coordinating the government’s response to crises and managing the UK’s cyber security
  • Promoting the release of government data, and making the way government works more transparent
  • Creating an exceptional Civil Service, improving its capability and effectiveness
  • Political and constitutional reform

Regulation of appointment

This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the Commissioner’s website 

Person specification

Essential criteria

  • Significant experience of assurance, risk management and the work of audit committees
  • Excellent understanding of corporate governance and experience of overseeing an internal audit programme
  • Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to conduct and develop diverse partner relationships at all levels and challenge constructively
  • Recent and relevant financial experience to competently analyse financial statements and understand good financial management disciplines and complex financial transactions
  • Qualification in finance and audit from a recognised organisation
  • A proven track record of delivering major programmes such as large scale corporate transformation programmes.

Desirable criteria

  • An understanding of challenges faced by large organisations, including in the public sector, and the ability to apply expertise to address these challenges through the management of public funds
  • Experience of overseeing or chairing effective Audit and Risk Committees, or related subcommittees, in large organisations.

How to apply

In order to apply you will need to create an account or sign in.

Once you are logged into your account, click on ‘apply for this role’ and follow the on-screen instructions. To apply, all candidates are required to provide:

  • a Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • a supporting statement
  • equality information
  • information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues

We will ask you to check and confirm your personal details to ensure your application is accurate.

You will also have the opportunity to make a reasonable adjustment request or apply under the disability confident scheme before you submit your application.