Audit Finance & Risk Committee Independent Member

Audit Finance & Risk Committee Independent Member

Closing Date: 4 July 2025

This is an interesting volunteering opportunity to support the DfE’s Arm’s Length Body in its delivery of vocational training to the engineering construction industry.  We are looking for 2 new members, with the relevant experience, in accordance with the role profile, to join our Audit & Risk Committee as unremunerated part time committee members.  These roles require approximately 4 days/year to prepare for and attend meetings in London for which expenses are reimbursed. Appointments will be initially for three years with the possibility of reappointment for one further three-year term, subject to approval by the Accounting Officer in conjunction with the Chair.

Your senior level and extensive background will be in audit, risk management, and compliance.  It almost goes without saying that your communications skills will be honed to build collaborative relationships and provide independent oversight, advice, and constructive challenge to the CEO and Board.  Ideally you will have an understanding of the constraints and culture of the public sector. You would bring your strategic thinking, strong analytical skills, and commercial perspective to the business.

The successful candidate should demonstrate the following:

• EITHER Qualified accountant, ACCA or similar with senior level financial experience e.g. as a partner in an accountancy practice, Finance Director or CFO or at an equivalent level elsewhere in the private or public sector;
• OR Risk management specialist ideally from a professional or support services environment.
• OR have experience in the management of IT systems or departments.

Your role as an independent member is to ensure that high-quality risk assessment and mitigation is embedded into financial and non-financial management processes, and that relevant counter-fraud measures are fit for purpose. Essentially this means good governance, a compliance culture, accurate financial reporting (in line with charity and government accounting policies), and an effective financial control framework. Specifically, you will be reviewing internal audits, NAO audits, and the risk management policy.

• The Committee consists of members appointed by the Board. The Chair will be a Board member (but not the Chair of the ECITB). Each member must act with independence and objectivity and should  have or develop a sound understanding of the objectives and priorities of the ECITB. The appointment will be for a period of three years extendable by only one additional three-year period subject to approval by Accounting Officer in conjunction with the Chair.