Non-Executive Director and Chair of Audit Committee

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Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is now one of the largest trusts in the country, serving a population of 1.2 million people comprising acute hospital sites at Broomfield in Chelmsford, Basildon and Southend.

We are a well-led, high-performing and innovative organisation determined to provide the best health care services for our local population and working in the best interests of the people we serve.

Job overview

As members of a unitary board, Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) have a duty to act with a view to promoting the success of the organisation, maximising the benefits for its patients and the public. The Board is collectively responsible for the performance of the NHS Foundation Trust.

Non-Executive Directors constructively challenge and scrutinise the Trust's performance against agreed goals and objectives. They should satisfy themselves as to the integrity of financial, clinical and other information, and ensure that systems of governance and risk management are robust.

Non-Executive Directors play a crucial role within the Board as, in addition to any specific knowledge and skills that they may have, they provide an independent perspective.

Furthermore, it is the duty of a Non-Executive Director to uphold the highest standards of probity and integrity as per the Trust's values, as well as encouraging good relations within the Boardroom.

The post holder will be expected to chair the Audit Committee and participate fully as a member of any other assigned Committees.

Main duties of the job

1. Assist the Board of Directors in setting the strategic direction of the organisation, whilst considering the views of the Council of Governors.
2. Together with the Board of Directors, hold the Executive Team to account for the delivery of the agreed strategic objectives.
3. Provide constructive, considered and appropriate challenge to the Board of Directors.
4. Ensure that the Trust places patient safety at the heart of its work and that mechanisms are in place to ensure staff are able to speak up.
5. Together with the Board of Directors, ensure that the Trust manages risk effectively.
6. Participate in Board Service Visits and report findings back to Board in line with procedures.
7. Support the Chair, Chief Executive and Executive Directors in the governance and stewardship of the Trust.
8. Together with the Board of Directors, work with local communities and collaborate with partner organisations to address health inequalities and ensure that the Trust provides the best possible care for local communities.
9. Promote and support the equality, diversity and inclusion agenda.
10. Promote and uphold the Trust values and fulfill any assigned Non-Executive Director champion roles.

Non-Executive Directors should attend the formal Council of Governors meetings, held quarterly, and take part in Governor and NED working groups including the Working Together sessions. NEDs should consider the views and interests of the Council of Governors who are representing the views of the Trust's Membership.

Working for our organisation

With a workforce of approximately 17,000 staff, we can now do more and go further in delivering health services to our local communities.

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

Patients will experience improved care as well as fewer delays and cancellations. We are able to provide more once-in-a-lifetime specialist care region-wide. With our new trust size will come more opportunities for development, research, networking and innovation.

We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

As well as the general responsibilities noted above, the postholder will Chair the Audit Committee.

The purpose of the Committee is to independently and objectively:

1. Review the integrity of the Trust's financial statements.
2. Oversee compliance with corporate governance standards and assurance processes across clinical and non-clinical activities.
3. Assist the Board of Directors in its oversight of risk management and the effectiveness of internal control Trust-wide.
4. Oversee external and internal audit functions and the local counter fraud service, receiving assurance of their independence.

This Committee is responsible for:

1. Integrated governance
2. Internal audit
3. External audit
4. Financial reporting
5. Risk management and internal control
6. Counter fraud and security management
7. Other assurance functions

The postholder will also be required to:

1. Bring independent financial acumen to the work of the Audit Committee across its governance, risk management, assurance and internal control functions.
2. Escalate any areas to the Trust Board within the Committee's responsibilities that have inadequate assurance or require further mitigation.
3. Recommend the Annual Report, Accounts and Annual Governance Statement on behalf of the Committee for Trust Board sign off, once content that the documents present a fair and accurate view.
4. Work effectively with internal and external auditors and counter fraud specialists to ensure comprehensive oversight of the Trust's financial activity.
5. Be assured that the systems of internal control and governance are properly established and maintained.
6. Be satisfied that financial information is accurate and that financial controls and risk management systems are robust.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Qualification and membership with CIPFA, ACA, ACCA or CIMA.

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Knowledge and understanding of the strategic challenges facing the NHS.
• Able to be independent in judgement and character and to challenge appropriately.
• Understanding of the components of a complex organisation and the processes of planning, financial control, performance management and assurance that deliver its objectives.
• Flexibility regarding time commitment and the ability to travel.

Desirable criteria

• Sound understanding of the NHS - national and local agendas.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Track record of delivering against defined KPIs and of holding others to account for performance.
• Experience of working at Board or near Board level in a comparable large and complex organisation.
• Professional experience in risk, governance, or audit.
• Experience of risk management and internal control.

Desirable criteria

• Extensive experience of providing independent challenge and scrutiny.
• Experience of working in a regulated environment.

Skills and Attributes

Essential criteria

• Politically aware, able to engage and influence others, with effective working relationships internally and externally.
• Excellent diplomatic, interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage a wide-ranging audience and network effectively with a variety of organisations/individuals within and outside the NHS.

Please be aware as per the new Immigration guidelines we cannot sponsor candidates with a salary (full time or pro Rata) under the current minimum threshold.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.