Audit and Assurance Programmes Officer

About the role

The postholder will be a member of the Audit and Assurance function within the Portfolio Management Office, who will contribute to a high-quality programme management office (PMO) service for the Skills & Employment Unit, focusing specifically on audit and assurance and where required the delegated Adult Skills Fund (ASF) Programme. The Programmes Officer will be supporting the internal assurance and audit programme including the audit programme for adult education service providers, the investigations and allegations process, contract management of external audit firms and any other assurance requirements on the unit’s programme. In addition, the postholder will support delivery of a full range of records management and data governance service and support to the Skills and Employment unit.

This role will be in charge of providing overall support to the Principal Audit and Assurance Officer, who will have responsibility for the internal assurance and audit programme.

Principal Accountabilities

• Develop and maintain a robust programme governance for the management of the audit and assurance programme that ensures the successful delivery of the programme in alignment with the GLA Adult Skills Fund Assurance Framework.
• Produce high quality programme report and dashboard for several stakeholders including but not limited to the Assistant Director led Skills Programmes Board, Deputy Mayor for Skills, European Programme Management Unit, AEB Mayoral Board, ESIF Committee and externally for the Skills for Londoners Board and Skills for Londoners Partnership Board.
• Lead the project for the development and maintenance of a new participant database for the ASF programme GDPR Regulations and EU monitoring and audit requirements.
• Contribute to the provision of robust and timely programme tools, systems, templates and processes for provider managers including but not restricted to Monthly Progress Returns (MPRs), Participant Data Forms (PDFs), Payment Trigger Calculators (PTCs), new processes related to Skills funded programme management and providing training and support to use the tools.
• Contribute to the completion of the Corporate quarterly Performance dashboard and the completion of the Skills Strategy monitoring dashboard.
• Supervise Project Support Officers in a matrix environment in the completion of responsibilities, providing advice and guidance where needed.
• Contribute to any other related additional programme and performance management assignments.
• Realise the benefits of London’s diversity by promoting and enabling equality of opportunities, promoting the diverse needs and aspirations of London’s communities.
• Manage resources allocated to the job in accordance with the Authority’s policies and Code of Ethics and Standards.
• Realise the benefits of a flexible approach to work in undertaking the duties and responsibilities of this job, and participating in multi-disciplinary, cross-department and cross-organisational groups and project teams.

Key contacts: Senior Managers and staff within the Skills and Employment Unit, and other staff across the GLA.

Accountable to: Principal Audit and Assurance Officer Accountable for: Resources allocated to the job.

Person Specification

Technical requirements / experience / qualifications

A degree or professional qualification in portfolio, programme or project management or in management of project management office (PMO) or related subjects preferably to post graduate level.

Demonstrable ability, experience and knowledge of project and programme management including the understanding of programme management office functions including project planning, financial and performance analysis and management, risk management, issue resolution and evaluation.

High level knowledge and experience of MS Excel, with the ability to develop reports and dashboards, maintain and analyse spreadsheets and databases. Experience of, or ability to acquire knowledge, in specialised software packages such as Power BI, SQL or SPSS is highly desirable.

Well-developed IT skills, experience of using financial and claims management systems and processes, excellent report writing skills and a high level of numeracy.

Experience of records management and an understanding of General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and how this influences data processing and data sharing.

Communicating and Influencing

… is presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others see us as credible and articulate and engage with us.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Communicates openly and inclusively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Clearly articulates the key points of an argument, both in verbal and written communication.
• Persuades others, using evidence-based knowledge, modifying approach to deliver message effectively.
• Challenges the views of others in an open and constructive way.
• Presents a credible and positive image both internally and externally.

Building and Managing Relationships

… is developing rapport and working effectively with a diverse range of people, sharing knowledge and skills to deliver shared goals.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Develops new professional relationships.
• Understands the needs of others, the constraints they face and the levers to their engagement.
• Understands differences, anticipates areas of conflict and takes action.
• Fosters an environment where others feel respected.
• Identifies opportunities for joint working to minimise duplication and deliver shared goals.

Planning and Organising

..is thinking ahead, managing time, priorities and risk, and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time to a high standard.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Prioritises work in line with key team or project deliverables.
• Makes contingency plans to account for changing work priorities, deadlines and milestones.
• Identifies and consults with sponsors or stakeholders in planning work.
• Pays close attention to detail, ensuring team’s work is delivered to a high standard.
• Negotiates realistic timescales for work delivery, ensuring team deliverables can be met.

Responding to Pressure and Change

… is being flexible and adapting positively, to sustain performance when the situation changes, workload increases, tensions rise or priorities shift.

Level 1 indicators of effective performance

• Stays calm in pressurised and demanding situations.
• Responds flexibly to changing circumstances.
• Recognises when unable to cope and asks others for help.
• Demonstrates openness to changing work priorities and deadlines.
• Maintains personal well-being and achieves a balance between work and home life.

Problem Solving

… is analysing and interpreting situations from a variety of viewpoints and finding creative, workable and timely solutions.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Processes and distils a variety of information to understand a problem fully.
• Proposes options for solutions to presented problems.
• Builds on the ideas of others to encourage creative problem solving.
• Thinks laterally about own work, considering different ways to approach Problems.
• Seeks the opinions and experiences of others to understand different approaches to problem solving.

Reasonable adjustment

Reasonable adjustment will be made to working arrangements to accommodate a person with a disability who otherwise would be prevented from undertaking the work.

The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here:GLA Competency Framework

Application Process

If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following:

• Personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words. Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria outlined above in the advert.

Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement have a maximum file size of 1.5MB each and upload your Personal Statement to the ‘CV and Cover Letters’ section of the form, ensuring you address the technical requirements and competencies in your Personal Statement.

Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images. Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (E.g., “CV – applicant name - 012345).

As part of GLA’s continuing commitment to be an inclusive and equal opportunity employer we will be removing personal identifiable information from CVs and Personal Statements that could cause discrimination.

If you have questions about the role
If you wish to talk to someone about the role, the hiring manager Pamela Schievenin would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at Pamela.Schievenin@london.gov.uk

Assessment process
Once you have submitted an application, your details will be reviewed by a panel.

If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to an interview/assessment.

The interview/assessment date is: w/c 10th March 2025.

Equality, diversity and inclusion
London's diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share.

Please note we are a Disability Confident Employer so for candidates who wish to be considered under the scheme and meet the essential criteria, they will automatically be invited to interview. Please note, should you require any adjustments through the process, we will accommodate as much as possible. Please contact the recruitment team for further information if required.

GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments. We also offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.

Additional Information
Please note, all candidates will need to confirm that the information provided in this application form is true and correct. Should a candidate deliberately give false information, including the use of AI software, they understand that this would disqualify them from consideration.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record (DBS) check but some roles may require additional security screening.

Have you uploaded both your CV and a separate personal statement as individual documents?

The GLA is proud to be a Level 2: Disability Confident employer. We are committed to becoming a more inclusive and accessible organisation, and creating a truly inclusive and accessible workplace and culture for our disabled staff. We have named Disability Equality as a key corporate priority within our EDI Strategy. We welcome and encourage applications from disabled applicants. Should you wish to opt into the scheme, please let us know during your application.

Please note all applications for this vacancy must be submitted via our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs alone for this role. Please upload a personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words to the ‘Additional Documents’ section of the form, ensuring you address the following technical requirements and competencies in your personal statement. Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images.

The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA competency framework.

GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

London's diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith, or disability.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share.

The GLA is proud to be a Level 2: Disability Confident employer. We are committed to becoming a more inclusive and accessible organisation, and creating a truly inclusive and accessible workplace and culture for our disabled staff. We have named Disability Equality as a key corporate priority within our EDI Strategy. We welcome and encourage applications from disabled applicants.