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EOI - Independent Member of the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee

Job No: KGC561

Location: Gordon

Expressions of Interest

Independent Member of the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee

Ku-ring-gai Council is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced individuals for appointment to the role of independent member on the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC).

The ARIC meets five (5) times per year and is responsible for providing independent assurance to Council by monitoring, reviewing, and providing advice about the Council governance processes, compliance, risk management and control frameworks, external accountability obligations and overall performance.

Members of the committee are expected to understand and observe the requirements of the Guidelines for Risk Management and Internal Audit for Local Government in NSW. Members are also expected to:

- make themselves available as required to attend and participate in meetings.

- contribute the time needed to review and understand information provided to it.

- apply good analytical skills, objectivity, and judgement.

- act in the best interests of the Council.

- have the personal courage to raise and deal with tough issues, express opinions frankly, ask questions that go to the fundamental core of the issue and pursue independent lines of inquiry.

- maintain effective working relationships with the Council.

An overview of the terms related to this role is provided below.

Screening

Reference checks together with a criminal record and a financial status (bankruptcy) check will be undertaken prior to any appointment being made.

Remuneration

$1,000 (plus SG) per meeting. The fees are inclusive of all preparation, travel, out of pocket expenses and attendance at the meeting itself.

Term

4 years

The roles and responsibilities are as per the following sections of Councils’ Audit and Risk Committee Terms of Reference

- Role

- Responsibilities

Reappointment

Independent members will be eligible for extension or re-appointment following a formal review of their performance. The maximum number of terms an independent member can sit on the committee without the need for further nominations is two (2) terms.

Independent voting members of the ARIC must be independent to ensure they have no real or perceived bias or conflicts of interest that may interfere with their ability to act independently and can provide the council with robust, objective, and unbiased advice about how the council is functioning.

To be eligible for appointment to the role of independent member a person must not:

- currently be a councillor of any NSW council

- be a non-voting representative of the board of the joint organisation

- be a candidate at the last election of the council

- be a person who has held office in the council during its previous term

- be currently employed by the council or been employed during the last 12 months

- conduct audits of the council on behalf of the Audit Office of NSW

- have a close personal or business relationship with a councillor or a person who has a senior role in the council that may lead to a real or perceived conflict of interest

- currently, or within the last three years, provided any material goods or services (including consultancy, legal, internal audit, and advisory services) to the council which directly affect subjects or issues considered by the ARIC

- be (or have a close family member who is) a substantial shareholder, owner, officer, or employee of a company that has a material business, contractual relationship, direct financial interest or material indirect financial interest with the council or a related entity which could be considered a real or perceived conflict of interest, or

- currently or have previously acted as an advocate of a material interest on behalf of the council or a related entity which could be considered a real or perceived conflict of interest.

Note: Current staff of councils may serve as an independent member of another council’s ARIC (but not as its chairperson) provided they meet the independence and eligibility criteria for membership of the council’s ARIC and their employer is not participating in a shared arrangement with the other council in relation to the ARIC or the internal audit function.

Eligibility Requirements

In addition to meeting the independence requirements set out above, to be eligible for appointment to the role of independent member on the ARIC, a person must, at a minimum, demonstrate their ability to meet the following requirements:

- An ability to read and understand financial statements and a capacity to understand the ethical requirements of government (including potential conflicts of interest)

- Functional knowledge in areas such as risk management, performance management, human resources management, internal and external auditing, financial reporting, accounting, management control frameworks, internal financial controls, governance (including planning, reporting and oversight), or business operations.

- A capacity to form independent judgements and willingness to constructively challenge/question management practices and information.

- A professional, ethical approach to the exercise of their duties and the capacity to devote the necessary time and effort to the responsibilities of an independent member of an audit, risk and improvement committee, and

- Preparedness to undertake any training on the operation of audit, risk and improvement committees recommended by the chair based on their assessment of the skills, knowledge and experience of the independent member.

Note: ARIC members must not be undischarged bankrupts or have been charged with or convicted of a serious criminal offence.

- Extensive senior level experience in governance and management of complex organisations, and

- Possession of a relevant professional qualification or membership (e.g., Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), CPA Australia (CPA) and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA)).

How to apply

Interested applicants should demonstrate their suitability for the role through the provision of a cover letter, selection criteria response detailing how they meet the independence and eligibility requirements listed above, resume (including two referees) and any other supporting documents considered relevant.

Applications to be marked: Confidential – Expressions of Interest: Independent Member of the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee

Contact person: Jennie Keato on 9424 0706

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