About the Chief Auditor role
Chief Auditor
Portfolio: Audit St Helena
Responsible to: The Governor
Responsible for: Deputy Chief Auditor
Grade: Technical Cooperation Officer
Context
The post of Chief Auditor is equivalent to the post of Auditor General in many jurisdictions and has responsibility for the external audit of the Government accounts of St Helena and Ascension, the audit of financial statements of other public bodies, and for conducting a programme of performance audits covering government expenditure. The office of Chief Auditor is established under the Constitution of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha and operates with a high degree of autonomy.
Job Purpose
To improve the lives of all within our community and help the island thrive by promoting accountability in the public administration of St Helena being the key advisor to the Public Accounts Committee and playing a pivotal role in the formal sessions which question officials on accountability and performance issues.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
The main duties and key responsibilities of the Chief Auditor shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
- Prepare and maintain for approval by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) a rolling three-year strategic plan and financial estimates which sets out how the statutory audit functions of the Chief Auditor will be met through Audit St Helena and other audit service providers.
- Oversee the development of a financial audit operational plan which shows how the external audit portfolio will be serviced to enable the Chief Auditor to report upon the published financial statements of public bodies within statutory reporting timelines.
- Oversee the development of a performance audit operational plan which prioritises and schedules audits which will enable the Chief Auditor to assess whether value for money has been secured in the use of resources and make practical recommendations for improvement.
- Operate as senior statutory auditor with responsibility for issuing independent auditors reports in accordance with International Standards on Auditing and applicable legislation covering the annual financial statements of Government and other public bodies.
- Oversee the planning and delivery of performance audit work at engagement level in accordance with the performance audit manual and ISSAIs across the entire portfolio.
- Manage relationships with client organisations and ensure the maintenance of effective communications on the planning, delivery and reporting of the audit. Presenting the outcomes of audits to senior officials, Executive and Legislative Council and the Public Accounts Committee.
- Develop the capacity and capability of the public audit function including the maintenance of effective internal communications, staff performance management, training and development, and future succession planning.
- Act as the accountable officer for the system of quality management under the International Standard on Quality Management (ISQM 1), with responsibility for its ongoing operation, maintenance, review, and continuous improvement, and for embedding a culture of continuous improvement and learning. Provide technical leadership on audit and accounting matters and ensure the implementation of good practice.
- Perform the role of professional advisor to the Public Accounts Committee including the preparation of required reports and advice and developing constructive and effective liaison with the PAC members and secretariat.
- Manage as Accounting Officer the physical and financial resources of the audit service including proper financial administration, budget preparation and monitoring to ensure that fee income covers expenditure in the trading account.
Special Conditions
In the exercise of the postholders’ functions under the Constitution the Chief Auditor shall act independently and shall not be subject to the director of control of the Governor, the Executive Council or any person or authority.
For the proper performance of the responsibilities this post will not be limited to normal working hours, the postholder will, in response to the demands of the post, be required to work out of normal working hours.
This job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities. There may be other ad hoc duties that fall within the remit of the role that the job holder may need to complete.
Terms of Appointment
Contract Type:
2 years fixed-term, renewable.
Salary:
£75,000 per annum + 7.5% pension contribution.
Pension:
7.5% of salary in a lump sum at the end of each completed year of contract. Approval can be sought from the Commissioner of Income Tax for the exemption of income tax on Pension Contributions where payments are being made into an approved superannuation or pension fund.
International Supplement (Taxable):
| Unaccompanied | Couple | Couple+ |
| 16800 | 19400 | 23000 |
Hours:
Standard contractual hours are 35 per week but for the proper performance of the responsibilities this post will not be limited to normal working hours, the postholder will, in response to the demands of the post, be required to work out of normal working hours.
Reports to:
Nominal reporting line is to the Governor of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. However, in the exercise of the postholders’ functions under the Constitution the Chief Auditor shall act independently and shall not be subject to the director of control of the Governor, the Executive Council or any person or authority.
Probationary Period:
6 Months.
Centre of Duty:
It is a requirement of the post that the incumbent resides in the St Helena for the duration of their employment. There may be the occasional need to travel to Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, as well as international locations, while fulfilling the duties of the post.