Edinburgh College is one of Scotland’s largest colleges, covering a vast region spanning Edinburgh City, East Lothian, and Midlothian – a population of around 750,000 people. Its responsibility, reach and impact is significant.
It is responsible for delivering over 10% of the whole Scottish college sector activity and its provision ranges from access level through to honour level degrees and continuing professional development to help enhance career ambitions of all students.
The Role
We are seeking to co-opt an Independent Member to our Audit & Risk Assurance Committee, a sub-committee of the Edinburgh College Board of Management.
The purpose of the Audit & Risk Assurance Committee is to review the effectiveness of the College’s governance arrangements, financial systems, internal control environment and risk management arrangements and provide appropriate assurances to the Board of Management on these areas. The Committee operates under the authority of, and reports to, the Board of Management.
Our ideal Independent Committee Member will have a professional accountancy qualification and relevant experience of Audit Committee activities.
The Independent Member role is unremunerated; however, incidental expenses will be reimbursed.
The Independent Committee Member
The Independent Member will utilise their specific audit knowledge and skills to support the Committee in the following areas:
· Ensure that the executive team is appropriately challenged and supported to carry out their role.
· Monitor and assess whether the College is complying with relevant legal and statutory guidelines governing Scottish colleges.
· Support the Audit & Risk Assurance Committee in probing and gaining assurance that the College is:
o maintaining a robust internal control environment;
o identifying and managing risk across the organisation;
o operating in an efficient and effective manner, having regard for value for money, and;
o properly preparing the annual report and financial statements.
· Liaise with the Chair of the Audit & Risk Assurance Committee.
· Ensure that the voices of stakeholders are heard.
· Undertake specific training / development activities relevant to the role – as required.
We welcome applications from individuals with recent senior leadership experience in the public or private sector.
We particularly welcome applications from individuals from groups currently under-represented on Scotland’s public bodies, such as women, people from minority ethnic groups, disabled people and people aged under 50.
Time Commitment
The role would involve attending four 2-hour meetings per year, the dates of which are scheduled in advance of the new academic year. Meetings have lately been taking place remotely although a return to in-person meetings, at one of the College’s Edinburgh based campuses, may occur in the academic year 2022-23.
An agenda and papers for each meeting of the Audit & Risk Assurance Committee are circulated at least one week prior to the event.
Essential / Desirable Criteria
Essential:
· A professional accounting qualification and recent experience in audit and risk committees.
· Involvement of working collaboratively and constructively with leadership teams / executive management.
· Strong capability in engaging with stakeholders at all levels in an organisation.
· Confident communication with strong advocacy and diplomacy skills.
· Experience of fostering a strong positive culture and stewardship ethos.
· A commitment to the Nolan Principles of Public Life.
· Can demonstrate an ongoing commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
· Understands the role of non-executive committee members.
· Interest in tertiary education.
Desirable:
· Knowledge of large and complex organisations operating within a regulated sector.
· Knowledge of the City of Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian regions (or part of it) and its needs.
The Board of Management may co-opt members as required to its committees, and there is no direct regulation of the process, however, a co-opted member will be required to undergo a PVG check, to adhere to the Edinburgh College Board of Management Code of Conduct and, in that relation, register any interests they may have.
Appointment Details
Appointments to the Board of Management will come into effect from 18 May 2022, following approval from the Edinburgh College Board of Management. [N.B. The next meeting of the Edinburgh College Audit & Risk Assurance Committee will take place on 25 May 2022 from 15:00 to 17:00]
The appointment will be for a period up to 3 years, with the possibility of re-appointment subject to evidence of effective performance and to satisfying the requirements of the role criteria at the time of re-appointment.
The successful candidate will be given a letter of appointment outlining requirements and there will be a brief induction process, which will also provide the Independent Member with an introduction to the work of the Committee and an opportunity to meet relevant members of the Executive Team.
Application Process
If you wish to apply for co-option to the Independent Member role, please submit the following information to Marcus.Walker@edinburghcollege.ac.uk:
· A cover sheet (no more than 500 words) clearly stating why you are applying for the role and how you meet each of the essential criteria outlined above.
· An accompanying Curriculum Vitae (no more than two A4 pages) outlining your relevant experience and skills for the role.
The deadline for the submission of applications for this role is midnight on Wednesday 13th April 2022. Late applications will not be accepted.
Applicants shortlisted to interview will be advised of the next stage of the recruitment process by 27 April 2022.
Further Information
If you would like to find out more about the role, you are welcome to contact the Board Secretary, Marcus Walker on Tel. 0131 2979326, or by emailing: Marcus.Walker@edinburghcollege.ac.uk.
