Senior Auditor

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.

We work directly with individuals to help them gain the skills, confidence and connections to transform their lives and shape a better world in partnership with the UK. We support them to build networks and explore creative ideas, to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications.

Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2021–22 we reached 650 million people.

Senior Auditor

Pay Band: 8

Salary: £46,203 - £53,586 (+ £3,300 market allowance if based in London)

Contract Type: Indefinite contract.

Location: UK; London, Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast.

The successful applicant must be within commutable distance to a British Council office.

Role Type: Advisory, Policy and Expertise

Reports to: Deputy Director Internal Audit

Requirements: Candidates must have the pre-existing (permanent) right to work in location.
Mobility / relocation / visa sponsoring support will not be provided. 

Benefits include, but are not limited to:

• 32 days annual leave, in addition to public holidays.
• 3 days volunteering leave.
• Career average defined benefit pension scheme.
• An unrivalled opportunity for you to get to use all the experience you've built up to support us in building trust across the world!

Closing date: Friday 3rd May, 11:59pm UK time

Role Context

The Internal Audit department delivers a comprehensive, independent, and objective audit service to the organisation in a customer-orientated manner which is in accordance with the British Council values.

The Senior Auditor has responsibility for delivering, planning, and executing internal audits. The role has a significant exposure to Regional and Global Leadership Teams and the Senior Auditor is a direct point of contact for all levels of Management for internal audit related matters.

Key relationships

• Global/Corporate Heads of Business Functions
• Regional and Country Directors
• Regional Leadership Teams and Heads of Business Functions
• Colleagues in Internal Audit, Risk, Counter-fraud and Internal Control and Compliance Team.
• External auditors (NAO, PWC)

Role Purpose

This role is responsible for leading and performing all aspects of internal audit assignments including the preparation, planning, execution, reporting of risk-based audits and action follow up in support of the annual audit opinion around the adequacy and effectiveness of governance, risk management and control processes across the organisation.  This also includes delivering audits in the corporate portfolio and/or any of the regional portfolios. The role contributes to an efficient and effective internal audit department which supports British Council in the management of risks and achievement of objectives.

The candidate is a collaborative, engaging and commercial thinking risk & assurance professional and has the ability to support, work with and influence colleagues across the organisation. The candidate is a seasoned auditor / experienced assurance professional with several years’ post qualification experience and a track record of improving risk maturity and identifying practical and pragmatic controls in collaboration with management. Ability to add value through identifying and communicating good quality insights to stakeholders is essential.

Main accountabilities

Consultancy, analysis and problem solving

• Responsible for leading and conducting the preparation, planning, execution, reporting of risk-based audits and action follow up. This includes delivering audits in the corporate portfolio and/or any of the regional portfolios.
• Delivery of high-quality work and the production of excellent working papers and summaries of information.
• Providing both verbal and written recommendations for improvements to Global, Regional, Country, and Functional Management.
• Analysing complex situations and issues to provide value adding insight and identify key themes to facilitate management action.
• Preparing (draft) reports and management updates, assisting the Deputy Director Internal Audit, Audit Managers and other members in the team with delivery of high-quality outputs.
• The performance of ad hoc assignments as required (e.g. investigations, advisory engagements).

Strategy and/or planning

• Input into the development of the risk-based audit plan.

Relationship and stakeholder management

• Develop a strong global and regional network in order to identify risks, opportunities to add value and coordinate control framework improvements.
• Liaising at all levels of the organisation including senior management.

Additional Job Requirements

Occasional overseas travel (approximately 10%) for relatively short periods of time (mostly one week per engagement). Sometimes required to travel on weekends.  This job is not suitable for job-sharing due to the overseas travel requirements.

Certification and professional qualifications

A professional accountancy or internal audit qualification is required.

Role specific knowledge and experience

Minimum/essential

• Strong experience of risk-based audit

• Track record in assurance i.e. 3 years post-qualification/solid experience as a Senior Internal Auditor or middle management Internal Audit role with exposure to a mixed portfolio of clients
• Experience of working in international and multi-cultural organization
• Proven skills in stakeholder relationship management at all levels of the organisation
• Reporting and engaging effectively with senior management.
• Independently minded and willing to challenge existing business practice.
• Be an exemplar of integrity, honesty, discretion and professionalism for the organisation.

Desirable

• Knowledge of SAP applications
• Knowledge of shared services or Managed Service Provider (MSP) operations
• Program management qualifications e.g. MSP, PRINCE2
• Data analytics experience
• IT assurance qualification e.g. CISA
• Knowledge on use of audit software or tools e.g. TeamMate
• Knowledge of governance in a group structure (regional hubs, service clusters)

Role specific skills

• Knowledge of Internal Audit practices (COSO, IIA etc.)
• Knowledge of Public Sector Internal Audit Standards and the mandatory elements of The Institute of Internal Auditors’ International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF)
• Risk assessment and analysis.

Closing date: Friday 3rd May, 11:59pm UK time

A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.

Equality , Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Statement

The British Council is committed to policies and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion across everything we do. We support all staff to make sure their behaviour is consistent with this commitment.  We want to address under representation and encourage applicants from under-represented groups, in particular, but not exclusively, on grounds of ethnicity and disability.  All disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria are guaranteed an interview and we have Disability Confident Employer Status. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.

The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with.

We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989.

Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed; these will include qualification checks, reference checks, identity & criminal record checks in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.

If you have any problems with your application please email askhr@britishcouncil.org

Please note: Applications to this role can only be considered when made through the Apply section of our careers website. Our ‘ASK HR’ email is only to be used in case of a technical issue encountered when applying through the careers website. Emails with supporting statements and CV/Resumes sent to this email address will not be reviewed and will be deleted.