Job Title: Operational Assurance Officer

Directorate: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

About us

HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is responsible for the administration of criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals in England and Wales. Our roles support our service users and colleagues, where people and businesses access potentially life-changing justice.  We’re looking for individuals who are committed to public service and want to make a difference in people’s lives in delivering justice. If you’re interested in developing a career with a real purpose, please apply.

About the role

The Assurance team is responsible for second line of defence in HMCTS. We own the Standard Operating Controls tool and the drafting of Key Control Checks. We undertake assurance work for HMCTS via venue visits and through wider Thematic reviews.

As an Assurance Officer in HMCTS your role is to protect, drive and add value. As part of a dispersed, national team, you will:

• have lead responsibility for conducting high- level assessments (Health Checks), testing governance & assurance systems throughout HMCTS.

• support the Assurance Manager (AM) and Business Partners (ABPs) in a programme of detailed testing to identify and report risks and will monitor the implementation of corrective actions.

• help build the capability across the organisation to achieve and maintain good governance, by providing advice and training as needed,

• be involved in national initiatives that continue to develop the governance and assurance function regarding delivering services and improving management information, such as scrutinising new and existing processes for risks and suggest mitigating controls.

• drive a culture of continuous improvement.

Your role as the Operational Assurance Officer encompasses several key aspects (but not limited to):

• You will support the implementation of governance & assurance systems.

• You will work collaboratively across the whole governance and assurance community to ensure that sufficient support can be provided in all corporate and statutory compliance areas.

• You will participate in researching and planning the team’s programme of activities.

• You will conduct and assist with assurance visits including virtual testing at sites across the organisation and draft accurate reports of findings. Where remedial actions are needed, you will monitor their effective implementation.

• You will assist the with preparation of reports and information on the extent of compliance with governance requirements and activities across the area of responsibility, together with the identification training or development needs.

• You will actively participate and contribute to the team in responding to change, including participation in project boards and associated work.

• You will seek to build your own capability and that of the team to improve performance.

• You will coach and motivate staff within corporate and operational teams to improve the management of the governance and assurance framework.

• You will deliver governance and assurance policy and process related training and assess its effectiveness.

• You will work collaboratively with the Counter Fraud and Investigations team to ensure the timely and accurate investigation of all incidents.

• You will work collaboratively with the Risk & Business Intelligence team to ensure that you effectively contribute to the development and enhancement of all policies and arrangements.

• You will provide advice and guidance to managers tasked with ownership, implementation and use of key assurance activities.

• You will assist business units in the quarterly Standard Operating Controls (SOC) reporting process. You will quality control, review and challenge SOC returns.

• You will provide ongoing support in the use and application of the SOC Tool and the SOC database.

• You will work in a flexible way and undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post and deemed necessary by line management to fulfil the role and requirements of the team.

• You will supply support to the wider Assurance and Governance teams commensurate as required with the grade and level of responsibility of the post.

What are we looking for? (Person Specification)

The ideal candidate for this position should demonstrate:

Essential

• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with a variety of internal and senior stakeholders.

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both in writing and verbally, to convey complex information to different audiences through a range of formats.

• Highly adaptable, with the ability to work in a culture of change, continually improving (products, processes, and priorities) to meet the current and future needs of the organisation.

• Proven experience of using Excel to collate, analyse and present data.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the Risk Framework, Key Control Check Sheet (KCCS) and Standard Operating Controls would be beneficial.

• Knowledge of using key controls would be an advantage.

How to apply

To apply for this role, please submit a CV and a statement of suitability of no more than 500 words setting out evidence and examples of how you meet the person specification of the role. Please ensure you cover both ‘what’ you do but also ‘how’ you do it. (i.e., the effective skills, knowledge & experience needed to undertake the role)

In the event of a high number of applications, the panel may perform a preliminary sift on the Statement of Suitability.

Interview

If successful at sift you will be invited to a Civil Service Success Profiles interview which will include assessment of the following behaviours (Level 2).

• Communicating and influencing

• Making effective decisions

• Managing a quality service

Strengths will also be assessed however these are not shared in advance.

Further details

Part time and flexible working requests will be reviewed and agreed on a case-by-case basis in line with the MOJ Flexible working policy.

The ability and flexibility for national travel is required, including to Wales, Scotland and the whole of England.

About our benefits

We reward our people for their hard work and commitment. We have a number of family friendly and flexible working polices that will help you achieve a healthy work-life balance. In addition, we offer a range of employee benefits which include generous annual leave, a highly competitive contributory pension scheme, childcare benefits, season ticket and bicycle loans.

Proud to Serve. Proud to keep justice going.