AMS PSR

On behalf of DEFRA, we are looking for an Assurance Manager (Inside IR35) for a 6 month contract. This is a hybrid working role (office attendance required on an as and when basis - various locations throughout).

In the Defra group, we deal with a vast range of issues that profoundly impact on people’s lives. We are responsible for England’s environment, our countryside and rural economy, the food and farming sectors and have lead responsibility for protection from a wide range of natural threats and hazards. We have developed a set of three strategic objectives covering our policy outcomes and corporate objectives. These objectives help us to deliver our ambitious vision to build our green and healthy future and provide a framework for all the important work we carry out.

Our objectives are:

• To pass on to the next generation a natural environment protected and enhanced for the future. 
• To lead the world in food, farming, and fisheries with a sustainable model of food production. 
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• To be an outstanding organisation focused on making a difference, with world class delivery capability.

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs www.gov.uk. 

25 Year Environment Plan - GOV.UK www.gov.uk.

As an Assurance Manager, your main responsibilities will be:

• Responsible for ensuring projects or activities have appropriate levels of assurance for the complexity of the project. Following local guidance on types of nd recording them in management documents as required.
• Overseeing project assurance across a department.
• Recognised as an authority for all assurance related activity and able to provide guidance on the types of assurance / requirements across a department.
• Conversant with Cabinet Office related guidance and its application for projects. Supporting the development of project or departmental strategy on assurance.
• Responsible for leading a number of assurance activities across either one or several projects. Responsible for leading specific project activities such as the review of management cases within business cases either at a local or department level. Provides guidance and to support integrated assurance planning.
• Work with Project Managers / SRO’s to ensure they implement appropriate levels of assurance as part of baseline and future planning activities. Sourcing review teams.
• Ensures that agreed actions are implemented, and that any lessons learned are applied to future change initiatives.
• Provide analysis to senior managers about the outcomes from assurance reviews and make recommendations for improvement.
• Leads the timely and accurate reporting of integrated assurance plans and milestones to support departmental or board level assurance activities.
• Areas for assurance evaluation – Key areas for evaluation in assurance reviews include: Alignment with the business case; management processes; overall progress towards output in terms of time, cost and quality; stakeholder relationships and perceptions; final outcomes and lessons learned; and benefits plans and realisation.

Essential:

• Significant experience in internal audit, assurance, risk management, or compliance.
• Proven experience in planning, delivering, and reporting assurance activities at a managerial level.
• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks relevant to the sector.
• Experience in leading and developing teams.
• Competent in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Desirable:

• Public Sector background

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident 

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, Defra guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Commitment

Defra guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".