Director of Internal Audit & Investigations

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is seeking an exceptional Director of Internal Audit & Investigations (SCS2), responsible for providing an independent assurance, investigations, counter fraud and safeguarding investigations service to FCDO in line with international audit and investigators standards.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for International Development (DfID) merged on 1 September 2020 to form the new Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The FCDO pursues our national interests and projects the UK as a force for good in the world. It promotes the interests of British citizens, safeguards the UK’s security, defends our values, reduces poverty and tackles global challenges with international partners. This is a unique career opportunity to take up a stretching, high-profile and business critical SMS/SCS2 position within the newest ministerial department.

The FCDO employs 17,300 staff in diplomatic and development offices worldwide, including in 280 overseas embassies and high commissions. Their UK-based staff work in their joint headquarters in King Charles Street, London and Abercrombie House, East Kilbride (and you may be based out of either with travel to both expected).

Operating at the centre of world events, this newly created role will be demanding and rewarding in equal measure. You will form a key part of the senior leadership team reporting into the Director General, Corporate & Finance; your duties will include: 

• Bringing together two legacy audit and investigations teams into a single team, developing a single audit and investigations approach that reflects the risk profile of the new FCDO, and establishing a new structure and operating model.
• Leading a world class independent internal audit assurance service within FCDO.
• Leading a centre of expertise on safeguarding investigations, providing independent and objective investigations, quality assurance and oversight of allegations of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment within FCDO and across the programme portfolio.
• Delivering an annual programme of risk-based audits, management assurance and consultancy at home and overseas; attending ARAC meetings; and providing an evidenced annual opinion on departmental risk management, governance and internal control.

To succeed in this outstanding role, applicants must demonstrate evidence and proven examples across the following essential selection criteria:

• Strong track record of leading and delivering a high-quality, strategic risk-based Internal Audit programme in a large complex organisation, managing relationships between departments and their sponsored bodies;
• A professional qualification in Internal Audit or Accountancy (i.e CMIIA, CCAB or equivalent), with a sound understanding of best and modern counter fraud practice in compliance with the Conference of International Investigators’ standards or equivalent;
• Strong corporate and team leadership experience, including leading transformation, change and capability building. Experience successfully leading strong professional teams and managing own and team resilience within a complex working environment;
• Track record of working across counter fraud and/or safeguarding investigations and internal audit issues, managing sensitive and difficult issues, both within the UK and overseas; Experience of delivering investigations into allegations concerning sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, and sensitivity to the complexities associated with these cases;
• Experience building effective relationships and influencing a diverse senior stakeholder community to adopt good practice internal controls and risk management processes.

This role is available as full-time but flexible working arrangements including job share arrangements may also be considered. The successful applicant will have access to the Civil Service pension scheme, 25 days per annum leave allowance and be required to work a minimum of 37 hours per week.

For an informal confidential discussion about the role please contact Tim Salmon at Allen Lane on 07921 335 786. 

Requests for the candidate pack and application submissions (CV, supporting statement of no more than 2 sides and diversity form) should be submitted to FCDOaudit@allenlane.co.uk.  It is mandatory that your application includes a completed diversity monitoring form.

Please note, for security and intelligence purposes, this post is reserved for British citizens.

Closing date for applications: 9am on Monday 15^th March 2021.

The FCDO is an equal opportunity employer.  We value diversity and inclusion, and want our workforce to reflect the communities that we serve.  We are also committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people are able to bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best.

The Civil Service Commission provides assurance that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition.