Assurance Officer

Job description

We are seeking to appoint a part-time Assurance Officer to join our professional and forward-thinking Internal Audit team.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the Council's governance framework by providing independent and objective assurance on the effectiveness of risk management, internal control, and governance arrangements. Working across a diverse range of services, you will help ensure that resources are used effectively, risks are appropriately managed, and organisational objectives are achieved.

The role is critical in supporting the Council to maintain strong governance and accountability in an increasingly complex operating environment. Through the delivery of high-quality audit work, you will help identify opportunities to strengthen controls, improve processes, mitigate risks, and enhance value for money. Your work will contribute to safeguarding public funds, supporting effective decision-making, and maintaining stakeholder confidence in the Council's governance arrangements.

In this role, you will undertake risk-based audit reviews across a variety of operational, financial, governance, and ICT-related areas. You will evaluate the effectiveness of internal controls, identify risks and areas for improvement, and agree practical recommendations with management. You will produce clear and concise audit reports, undertake follow-up reviews to assess implementation of agreed actions, and contribute to the overall delivery of the Internal Audit Plan. The role will also provide opportunities to support advisory work, investigations, and special reviews as required.

You will bring experience in audit, finance, risk management, governance, or a related discipline, together with a sound understanding of internal controls and assurance principles. You will have strong analytical skills, the ability to evaluate complex information, and the confidence to communicate findings effectively to a range of stakeholders. With a collaborative and professional approach, you will be capable of building positive working relationships while providing constructive challenge where required. You will be well organised, able to work independently, and committed to continuous professional development, including working towards relevant professional qualifications where appropriate.

The role provides a varied and engaging workload, enabling you to develop valuable skills in audit, assurance, risk management, and advisory services while making a meaningful contribution to the Council's improvement and governance objectives.

Employee Benefits

Our employee benefits are designed to help invest in your future and are in addition to living and working in Pembrokeshire, one of the most beautiful and desirable counties in the UK. For further details, please refer to the Employee Benefits leaflet attached.

The Visit Pembrokeshire website https://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/ is an excellent source of information, and showcases the wide variety of activities, amenities and adventures that await you.

Please refer to the job description above for more details on this vacancy and the person specification.

Employment Checks

This post is subject to a DBS disclosure check.

Where it is appropriate for your role and responsibility, the personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by visiting https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn.

Applicants should ensure they have the right to work in the UK before applying for a vacancy.

Please note that at this point, Pembrokeshire County Council is not accepting applicants who require a Skilled Worker visa as a prerequisite to a right to work in the UK. Applicants should ensure they have the right to work in the UK before applying for a vacancy.

Guidance Note: Use of AI and Accuracy of Information:

• We understand that applicants may choose to use tools such as generative AI to support the preparation of their application. While the use of such tools is permitted, it remains the applicant's full responsibility to ensure that all information submitted is factually accurate, truthful, and representative of their own skills, experiences and qualifications.
• Providing information that is false, misleading, or exaggerated, regardless of whether it was generated by AI or not, may result in disqualification from the recruitment process or dismissal if discovered after appointment.
• By submitting this application, you confirm that all content provided is accurate and submitted in good faith.

The Supported Employment Programme is a group of local authority based enterprises that employs over 75 people with a disability or work limiting health condition, please visit the link below for further information: Pembrokeshire Supported Employment Programme - Pembrokeshire County Council

Safeguarding

Safeguarding and protecting children and adults at risk is a high priority for Pembrokeshire County Council. We aim to support vulnerable children and adults at risk to ensure they are as safe as they can possibly be. We are committed to ensuring their safety and will take action to safeguard their well-being. The Council's Corporate Safeguarding Policy provides a framework for every member of staff and Service within the Council, setting out responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and protecting children and adults at risk as well as the methods by which the Council will be assured that it is fulfilling its duties.

This policy applies to all Council employees and workforce, councillors, volunteers and also service providers that are commissioned by the Council. Safeguarding is everyone's business whether they work for, or on behalf of, the Council.

Support & Additional Info

• Please contact the HR Systems Team as early as possible if you're unable to apply online by emailing [email protected] .
• Please contact the Recruitment Team if you have any queries relating to this vacancy by emailing [email protected] .
• Local Government Employees on National Joint Council (NJC) terms are subject to national pay bargaining; all salaries currently stated in our adverts are as 01/04/2025.
• Please note, we have a legal obligation to consider employees for suitable alternative employment if their posts are at risk; therefore prior consideration will be given to existing employees who meet the person specification and are registered on our redeployment pool.

Welsh language skills are desirable. Applications may be submitted in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than applications submitted in English.