Principal Assurance Specialist

Job ID: 19531

• Strategic and operational focus
• Work across the Ministry's service units providing expert advice
• Support the Assurance Manager and wider assurance team

About our Team

TheRisk and Assurance Group provides independent assurance, advice and support tothe Chief Executive, Leadership Team and other senior management on thesystems, processes, and controls that the Ministry relies on to delivereffective and efficient services to all New Zealanders. We are the primarypoint of coordination and assessment across the Ministry's risk management andinternal control environment and play a lead role in providing assurance to theMSD Audit Committee, a range of control agencies and Ministers.

About the Role

As an Assurance Specialist you will engage with a diverserange of customers to deliver high-quality operational and strategic advice.Your work will be varied and challenging and will take you across mostfunctions of the Ministry, with a focus on continuous improvement of policies,procedures, performance and controls. You will be valued for your 'big picture'strategic thinking, your attention to detail and most crucially your ability todrive a proactive partnership based approach with clients to implement bestpractices across the areas of risk, assurance and governance.

You will be responsible for:

• Supporting the Manager Assurance Services in developing anddelivering an annual program of work that is strategically focused on areas ofhighest risk or opportunity, to add value.
• Conducting assurance assignments with minimal on-goingsupervision, while also being able to work as part of a team in delivering adhoc assignments.
• Ensuring the assurance framework, protocols and guides areregularly reviewed and updated to reflect current best practices, align withthe risk framework and are otherwise fit for purpose.

Skills and Experience

As a successful candidate you will have:

• Exceptional relationship management and interpersonal skills with an ability to establish rapport, build and maintain relationships at all levels across the Ministry and the wider sector
• Excellent communication skills with highly developed listening, questioning and facilitation skills
• The ability to engage, persuade and encourage others to take ownership of their role in risk management, control implementation and process improvement
• Well-developed analytical and strategic thinking skills, including the ability to analyse information to understand and assess risks, controls and mitigation within the wider context
• Experience in evaluating and assessing systems, processes, programmes and projects to identify and clarify issues or concerns to develop effective recommendations.
• An understanding of government and public sector environment, systems, processes and strategic issues facing government and the Ministry.

Ideally you will bring subject matter expertise to the team in a relevant area such as, but not limited to, accounting, assurance planning,change or project management, data analytics, IT, risk, or systems of control.

How to Apply

All applications must be made online. Please visit jobs.msd.govt.nz and search 19531.
If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at jobs@msd.govt.nz

Applications close: Monday, 4 December 2017.

Click here for Position Description