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. 
• 
  
• 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.

Job Purpose:

The role of the Assurance Manager is to provide independent assessment and confirmation that a project is on track. When overseeing a range of projects across a department — for example, as a Departmental Assurance Co‑ordinator — the Assurance Manager ensures that the right level of assurance is carried out at the right time in the project lifecycle. This includes scheduling and delivering reviews to assess whether the project can realistically meet the objectives and benefits set out in the business case.

As an Assurance Manager, your main responsibilities will be to:

• Ensure projects or activities have the appropriate level of assurance for their complexity.
• Follow local guidance on the types of assurance activities required and record these in management documentation.
• When acting as a departmental coordinator, serve as the recognised authority for assurance‑related activity and provide guidance on assurance requirements across the department.
• Be conversant with Cabinet Office guidance and understand how to apply this to projects.
• Support the development of project or departmental assurance strategies.
• Lead assurance activities across one or several projects.
• Lead specific project activities, such as reviewing management cases within business cases at a local or departmental level.
• Provide guidance to support integrated assurance planning.
• As a coordinator, work with Project Managers and SROs to ensure appropriate assurance is built into baseline and forward planning.
• Source and coordinate review teams.

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".