The Role BACKGROUND TO THE ROLE This is an exciting time for NIAO as we continue to invest in our internal capability.
This is a new post which reflects NIAOs desire to invest in quality and innovation to further enhance the delivery of our work and is driven by our desire to promote and enhance our vision, purpose and values to ensure public money is spent properly and support transformation of public services for the benefit of all the people of Northern Ireland.
We have been modernising our working practices and we have transformed our office accommodation to provide an innovative and vibrant working environment.
The NIAO strives to inspire confidence in public services through independent scrutiny, based on impartial and innovative reporting.
We have three strategic priorities, identified in our corporate plan for 2024- 2029: Support, enhance and promote high standards in public service administration, accountability arrangements and financial management; Promoteandinfluencepublicservice reformandimprovement;and Be a high-performing people-focused organisation.
We place a strong emphasis on supporting and developing our people and thisisevidencedin ourInvestorsinPeopleaccreditation.Wewillcontinue to build on this with the aim of being a high-performing people focused organisation.
The Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) and the NIAO, of which she is head, are completely independent of government and have two main functions: to certify the accounts of government departments and other central government bodies and to express an opinion on those accounts; and to carry out examinations into the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which government departments and other public sector bodies have used their resources.
Ineachcase theresultsarereportedtotheNorthernIrelandAssembly.In her role as Comptroller, she is also responsible for authorising the issue of money from central government funds to Northern Ireland Departments.
The second main function gives the NIAO a pivotal role in helping to build a modern, high performing public service that is accountable to taxpayers and citizens.
We have developed a Public Reporting Programme, designed to take a strategic, longer-term view of the challenges facing the public sector.
The audit of local government bodies, including district councils, is undertaken by the Local Government Auditor who is a member of NIAO staff, designated by the Department for Communities.
The results of this work are reported to the Department.
One of NIAOs Directors is currently designated as the Local Government Auditor.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE As Head of Audit Quality and Innovation you will have responsibility for leading and managing the NIAOs quality team which incorporates experienced audit professionals and data scientists.
The team is responsible for: providingtechnicalauditingandaccountingadviceandguidancetoNIAOs financialauditandpublicreporting(PerformanceAudit)teams; deliveringdigitalauditinnovationin theapplicationofauditsoftware;auditanddata analytics; deliveringotherdutiesrelevanttotherole.
(Practical experience of data analytics is not required as you will have a team of specialists to deliver this work).
Thisisanimportantleadershiprole,reportingtoadirector andworkingin support of the Senior Leadership Team to deliver the NIAOs corporate priorities.
The core areas of responsibility are outlined below, however these will evolve with the role and the ongoing development of quality and innovation.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES As Head of Audit Quality and Innovation, assisted by a specialist team, you will: Have responsibility for providing technical auditing and accounting advice, guidance and training to NIAOs operational audit teams, ensuring consistent and standardised approaches to meet specified requirements across financial and public reporting (Performance Audit) auditing.
Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of key changes and advancements in the audit and accounting profession to ensure that NIAOs working practices are innovative and incorporate relevant emerging tools, techniques and methodologies.
Project manage the implementation of innovative digital audit technologies by utilising the specialist skills of the data analytics team and researching products available in the market.
RepresenttheNIAOatmeetingswiththeotherUKandIrelandPublic Audit Agencies.
Have responsibility for motivating and developing the team and resource planning and capacity building within the Quality and Innovation team.
Contribute to the strategic leadership of NIAO as a member of the Corporate Management Team and leadership forum contributing to the strategic leadership of NIAO.
Work effectively with key stakeholders including senior public servants,auditcommittees,boards,otherpublicauditagenciesand elected representatives.
RespondtorelevantconsultationsonbehalfofNIAO.
Be an ambassador for driving NIAOs vision, purpose and values.
Person Specification You will be required to demonstrate the following criteria by way of personal and specificexamples: ESSENTIAL CRITERIA At the closing date for applications, you will be required to demonstrate: At least three years post qualification experience in the last five years and current membership of one of the following bodies: CharteredInstitute ofPublicFinanceandAccountancy One of the Institutes of Chartered Accountants (CAI,ICAEW,ICAS etc.) AssociationofCharteredCertifiedAccountants CharteredInstituteofManagementAccountants InstituteofCertifiedPublicAccountantsinIreland ORequivalentinternationalaccountancyqualification.
Technicalcompetence Robust working knowledge of financial reporting standards, auditing standards and methodologies with at least three years experience of practical application or providing advice and guidance of those standards and methodologies.
Projectmanagementandtransformation Experience of delivering complex projects which have contributed to organisational improvement.
Resourceplanningandbudgeting Experience of planning and managing the use of resources for multiple activities within budget constraints.
Leadershipskills Evidence of a proven ability to develop, motivate and lead teams.
Communicationskills Excellent communication skills and the ability to build good working relationships with key stakeholders.
Applicantsmusthave: Access to a form of transport that will enable you to meet the mobility needs of the post in full.
DESIRABLE CRITERIA Relevant experience of applying innovative solutions to deliver performance improvement.
SKILLS Confident and effective communicator Strategicandinnovativethinker Ability to build effective relationships Abilitytoinfluencechangefororganisationalbenefit Outstanding organisational skills and ability to manage multiple projects at the same time Strong leadership and integrity.
In addition to satisfying the above eligibility criteria, throughout the recruitment process you should demonstrate NIAOs core values, the competencies and the required experience and skills as well as commitment to the principles of equality, fairness and diversity in the way in which you deal with others.
You are required to have the Right to Work in the UK and be able to demonstrate this in pre-employment checks.
COMPETENCIES Please refer to the competency framework on the GETGOT portal for further details.
Achieving Results Level C Developing People Level D Effective Communication Level D Leading by Example Level C Working Together Level C We encourage you to ensure you clearly demonstrate how you meet the eligibility criteria.
The closing date for submission of completed applications is 9am on Monday 20 October 2025.
You are reminded that the application form must be fully completed, including the Equality Monitoring Form.
Incomplete application forms will not be considered.
CVs, letters or any other supplementary material will not be accepted in place of application forms.
Only information presented within the essential and desirable criteria sections of the applicationform can be considered by the selection panel at shortlisting.
To apply for this role, please click Apply to be redirected to the GetGot platform where you can complete the application form.
If you would like to speak to someone for more information regarding this role please contact Patrick Barr, Director