Internal Auditor

THE COMPETITION

Sligo County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the post of Internal Auditor (Grade VII). Sligo County Council will, following the interview process, form a panel for the post from which future relevant vacancies may be filled, subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This panel will exist for one year and may be extended for a further period of one year at the discretion of the Chief Executive. Suitably qualified persons are invited to apply for inclusion on this panel.

THE ROLE

Sligo County Council is inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the position of Internal Auditor (Grade VII). The Internal Auditor (Grade VII) will provide Sligo County Council with guidance on financial accuracy, internal controls and regulatory compliance. This will include the examination and improvement of operating practices, and financial and risk management processes within the Council. The successful candidate will manage and provide a quality internal audit service.

The Internal Auditor will engage at the highest levels with Council management and external parties for improving governance and related matters within the organisation. Internal Auditing is an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve an organisation's operations. It helps an organisation accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes. The internal audit activity evaluates risk exposures relating to the organisation's governance, operations and information systems, in relation to:

• Effectiveness and efficiency of operations

• Reliability and integrity of financial and operational information

• Safeguarding of assets

• Compliance with laws, regulations and contracts

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POST

1. CHARACTER

Each candidate shall be of good character.

2. HEALTH

Each candidate shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

3. CITIZENSHIP

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

(a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

(b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

(c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

(d) A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa; or

(e) A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa; or

(f) A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

4. EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, ETC.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms, have:

(a) A relevant professional qualification (CIMA, ACA, ACCA, CPA, CIIA);

(b) A minimum of three (3) years post-qualification experience in internal or external auditing (including modern financial management I.T. systems);

(c) Knowledge and experience of auditing in a private or public sector environment;

(d) Knowledge of accounting methods, procedures, processes and contemporary management accounting techniques and principles;

(e) Extensive experience in leading, developing and implementing financial and resource allocation strategies that support Strategic Corporate objectives;

(f) A strong knowledge of tax laws and compliance procedures;

(g) Experience of managing staff and/or other resources;

(h) Excellent communications skills with demonstrated evidence of robust I.T. literacy (i.e. MS Office skills including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint).

5. ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE FOR THE ROLE

(a) Experience in the identification of critical financial issues and of briefing senior management and/or Board of same.

(b) Extensive experience of analysis, conceptual thinking and problem solving in Finance and Business Management.

(c) Experience of managing people (performance and development management), including all aspects of line management responsibility including Health & Safety, PMDS and Council policies.

(d) Highly developed relationship management and interpersonal skills and a capacity to promote co-operation, trust and openness amongst staff and customers.

(e) Highly developed oral and written communication skills including negotiation, report writing and presentation skills.

(f) Excellent working knowledge of integrated Financial Management Systems, Microsoft Excel, etc.

(g) Experience in risk management, procurement and corporate governance.

(h) Experience in dealing effectively with conflicting demands.

(i) Experience working under pressure to tight deadlines.

(j) Experience identifying and promoting a change management structure.

(k) Maintaining confidentiality.

(l) Operation of ICT systems and standard office software packages.

6. CAR & DRIVING LICENCE

It may be necessary for the person employed to travel in the course of their official duties. On the latest date for receipt of application forms, applicants must hold a full unendorsed driving licence for class B vehicles and shall drive a car in the course of their duties and, for this purpose, shall maintain a car to the satisfaction of the Council.

PARTICULARS OF OFFICE

1. THE POST

The post is Internal Auditor (Grade VII) and is a temporary pensionable whole-time position for a fixed period of 1 year on the basis of a 35 hour, 5 day week.

2. DUTIES

The duties of the employment are to give to:

(a) Sligo County Council under the control of the Chief Executive or his nominee, and

(b) To any other local authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the local authority,

Under the general direction and control of the Chief Executive or of such other employee as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate services of a management, administrative, executive, supervisory, advisory and ancillary nature as may be required by any local authority or body hereinbefore mentioned in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties, and to exercise such powers, functions and duties as may be delegated to him or her by the Chief Executive from time to time, including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by any such local authority or body.

Key Duties and Responsibilities of the post are:

a) To lead the Internal Audit Unit within the Council.

b) To work with management to ensure that a system is in place which ensures that all major risks are identified and analysed, on an annual basis.

c) To provide both management and the Audit Committee with an opinion on the internal controls within the organisation.

d) To plan, organise and carry out the internal audit function, including the preparation of an audit programme, scheduling work and preparation of internal audit reports.

e) To report to both the Audit Committee and management on the policies, programmes and activities of the Internal Audit Department.

f) To make recommendations on the systems and procedures being reviewed, report on the findings and recommendations and monitor management's response and implementation.

g) To review and report on the accuracy, timeliness and relevance of the financial and other information that is provided for management.

h) To report on the value for money that the organisation obtains in all its activities, with special regard to economy, efficiency and effectiveness.

i) To conduct any reviews or tasks requested by management and the Audit Committee, provided such reviews and tasks do not compromise the independence or objectivity of the Internal Audit function.

j) To coordinate coverage with the external auditors.

k) To identify and agree work programmes, targets and deadlines and to ensure their subsequent implementation.

l) To build effective teams and develop motivation and commitment.

m) To undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility as may be required from time to time.

n) To provide effective leadership for all of the staff within the area of responsibility.

o) To assist in developing and implementing policy.

p) Any other relevant duties which may be assigned from time to time.

3. SALARY

The salary shall be fully inclusive and will be as determined from time to time. Holders of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to or received by them by virtue of their office or in respect of services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

The current salary scale for the post is as follows:

€60,011 – €61,480 – €63,194 – €64,914 – €66,634 – €68,170 – €69,745 – €71,269 – €72,790 –

LSI 1 €75,395 – LSI 2 €78,015

Salary for the post shall be in accordance with existing practice as set out in relevant circulars. New entrants will be paid at the minimum of the scale.

4. SUPERANNUATION

a) Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration, plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children).

b) Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.

c) All persons under (a) and (b) above who become pensionable employees of a local authority will be required, in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children's Contributory Pension) Scheme, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the Scheme.

d) Persons who are pensionable under the Single Public Sector Pension Scheme, contributions in respect of Superannuation shall be deducted at a rate of 3% of pensionable remuneration plus 3½% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependent or qualified children).

5. PROBATION

There shall be a period after such employment takes effect during which the person appointed will hold the post on probation. Such period shall be six months commencing on the first day of service, but the Chief Executive may, at their discretion, extend such period. Such person shall cease to hold the post at the end of the period of probation or extended period of probation unless, during such period or extended period, the service of such person is certified as satisfactory.

6. RETIREMENT AGE

For appointees who are deemed to be “new entrants” as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, there is no compulsory retirement age.

For appointees entering the Single Public Service Scheme, compulsory retirement age will be 70.

For appointees covered under the provisions of the Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Bill 2018, compulsory retirement age will be 70.

7. RESIDENCE

The holder of the office shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

8. METHOD OF SELECTION

(a) Selection shall be by means of a competition based on an interview conducted by, or on behalf of, Sligo County Council. Interviews will be conducted in person. The Council will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by candidates in attending for interview. Panels will be formed of those who are most successful in the competition. The top performing candidates at final selection interview, whose names are placed on the panels and who satisfy the local authority that they possess the qualifications declared for the position and that they are otherwise suitable for employment, may, within the life of the panels, be employed as appropriate vacancies arise. The life of the panels shall be one year from the date they are formed, unless extended by the Chief Executive.

(b) Short-Listing: While a candidate may meet the eligibility requirements of the competition, if the numbers applying for the position are such that it would not be practical to interview everyone, Sligo County Council may decide that a smaller number will be called to the next stage of the selection process. In this respect, the Council provides for the employment of a short-listing process to select a group who, based on an examination of the application forms, appear to be the most suitable for the position. This is not to suggest that other candidates are necessarily unsuitable or incapable of undertaking the job, rather that there are some candidates who, based on their application, appear to be better qualified and/or have more relevant experience.

The short-listing criteria may include both the essential and desirable criteria specified for the position. It is, therefore, in your own interest to provide a detailed and accurate account of your qualifications/experience in your application.

Candidates may be short-listed for final competitive interview on the basis of:

(a) The information provided on the application form, including both the essential and desirable criteria, relevant experience and competency questions, or

(b) A preliminary interview, or

(c) Appropriate test i.e. aptitude test, etc., or

(d) Any mix of the above.

One or more of the following criteria may apply when short-listing applications either through the application form or preliminary interview:

➢ Education

➢ Relevant Work Experience – Range & Depth

➢ Competencies displayed

➢ Attention to detail

Those deemed most suitable in relation to the relevant criteria will be called for a final competitive interview.

9. GARDA VETTING & REFERENCES

The successful candidate may be subject to the Garda Vetting Procedures in line with the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children & Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 to 2016, as appropriate, in advance of appointment. The appointment of any successful candidate will be subject to receipt of references which are satisfactory to Sligo County Council.

10. MEDICAL EXAMINATION

For the purpose of satisfying the requirements as to health, it will be necessary for the successful candidate, before they are appointed, to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority.

11. PERIOD OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFER

The local authority shall require persons to whom appointments are offered to take up such appointments within a period of not more than one month and, if they fail to take up the appointments within such period or such longer period as the local authority, in its absolute discretion, may determine, the local authority shall not appoint them.

12. NORMAL WORKING HOURS

Normal working hours are 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., Monday to Friday, with a minimum of 30 minutes to be taken as lunch break. The successful candidate may, from time to time, be required to work outside normal office hours, including at weekends, as necessary.

13. TRAVEL & SUBSISTENCE ARRANGEMENTS

Travel and subsistence expenses at the approved rates shall be paid for authorised travel.

14. ANNUAL LEAVE

Annual leave shall be 30 days per annum, and public holidays shall be given in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997.

15. SICK LEAVE

As per Sligo County Council’s current Sick Leave Scheme and Attendance Management Policy & Procedure, as amended by the Public Service Management (Sick Leave) Regulations, 2014, and any subsequent Regulations made from time to time.

16. TRAINING

Successful candidates will be required to undertake any course of training which is determined relevant by Sligo County Council.

17. DATA PROTECTION

Sligo County Council is compliant with Data Protection Legislation, including the provisions of the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR. To access Sligo County Council’s Data Protection Policy and Privacy Statements, please see the following link: Data Protection (GDPR) (sligococo.ie).