Independent Joint Audit Committee Member (Office of the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner)

The Joint; Lewes; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A public policing oversight body in Lewes is seeking an independent member for their Joint Audit Committee. The role requires a strong background in internal auditing, with a focus on governance, risk management, and financial reporting. Candidates should be strategic thinkers with excellent analytical skills. Remuneration is £162 per day, and the role involves about fifteen days of commitment per year.

Benefits

Reimbursement for travel expenses

Qualifications

• Senior internal auditing background preferred.
• Interest in governance and financial reporting.
• Ability to provide independent oversight.

Responsibilities

• Participate in oversight of governance and internal controls.
• Review financial reporting and risk management.
• Attend meetings and training sessions as required.

Skills

Analytical ability

Understanding of financial arrangements

Risk management

Professional scepticism

Job description

Overview

Do you have skills that can contribute to the business of policing, in relation to governance, risk, financial arrangements, internal audit and external audit and how these services are being managed? We are especially interested in applicants with a senior internal auditing background. If so, then we would like to hear from you. General Information: The Police & Crime Commissioner for Sussex (PCC) and the Chief Constable for Sussex (CC) are recruiting a new independent member for their Joint Audit Committee. This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in independent oversight and high-level focus on the adequacy of the governance, risk and control arrangements for Sussex Police and the Office of the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner. The role supports the PCC and CC and other statutory officers in gaining confidence as to the existence of effective governance by reviewing the comprehensiveness of assurances to meet the needs of Statutory Officers in respect of reliability and integrity.

Joint Audit Committee

The Joint Audit Committee (JAC) is comprised of an established group of four individuals who communicate well as a team, have excellent analytical ability and professional scepticism, have a solid understanding of complex financial arrangements, processes and risk management. Members have good understanding of local and national policing objectives and issues, are strategic thinkers who are courageous in their challenge and confident in their role. If you are interested in becoming part of the Committee and have an interest in safeguarding public funds, championing good governance, risk management, and financial reporting, then we would welcome your application. The JAC provides oversight, independent advice and recommendations to the PCC and CC on the adequacy of arrangements in place for:

• the risk management framework;
• the internal control environment;
• financial reporting;
• annual governance processes;
• internal audit and external audit.

Time Commitment and Tenure

Appointments will be for a four-year period. Your duties as a member of the Joint Audit Committee are expected to typically take up to fifteen days per annum, including time to read papers in preparation for meetings and a programme of activity to keep you in touch with the organisation's activities and priorities. Every effort should be made to attend the formal meetings of the Committee and the training sessions wherever possible. You will be consulted on meeting dates although there is often little flexibility as statutory deadlines need to be met. The meetings fall at similar times each year, with the next taking place on 16 September 2025 and the remaining meetings taking place as follows:

• 4 December 2025
• 17 March 2026
• 16 June 2026
• 15 September 2026
• 2 December 2026

All meetings, and training sessions, are held at the PCC's office at Sackville House, Brooks Close, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2FZ with dial in option via Microsoft Teams.

Remuneration and Reimbursement

Your remuneration will be £162 per day or £81 per half day. You will also be reimbursed for travel expenses whilst on Committee business as set out in the expenses policy of the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner. This includes travel between your home address and the Offices of the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner.

Training

On appointment, an induction will be provided to you. A training schedule is set out for the year ahead. Areas of training that have been completed so far this year are as follows:

• Business Continuity / Disaster Recovery Planning
• Internal Audit Overview
• Digital Forensics
• Power BI demonstration

Disqualifications

A person would be disqualified from being a member of the Audit Committee if he/she:

• is, or has been in the last three years, a serving member/officer of a Council represented on the Sussex Police and Crime Panel;
• is, or has been in the last three years, a serving police officer or police staff member or a member of the PCCs staff;
• is a relative or close friend of any of the above or the PCC;
• has a significant business or personal dealings with the Force or Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner;
• has been removed from a trustee of a charity;
• is under disqualification order under the Company Directors Disqualification Act;
• has been adjudged bankrupt, or made a composition or arrangement with his/her creditors; or
• has within five years before the date of appointment or since the appointment been convicted in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man of any offence and has had passed on him/her a sentence of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) for a period of not less than three months without the option of a fine.