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

East Sussex County Council; Lewes; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A local council in England seeks an independent member for its Joint Audit Committee to provide oversight on governance, risk management, and financial reporting. The role requires an applicant with a senior background in internal auditing who can contribute effectively to meetings held 4-5 times a year. Remuneration is £162 per day, and travel costs are reimbursed. This role presents a unique opportunity for those passionate about championing good governance within policing.

Benefits

Travel costs reimbursement

Flexible meeting arrangements

Qualifications

• Experience in governance risk and financial arrangements.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to provide independent oversight.

Responsibilities

• Provide independent advice and recommendations to the PCC and CC.
• Review governance and control arrangements for Sussex Police.
• Contribute to the adequacy of the risk management framework.

Skills

Senior internal auditing experience

Analytical ability

Understanding of governance and risk management

Job description

Description

Salary: 162 per day or 81 per half day

Contract type: Fixed-Term

Working pattern: 4-5 meetings a year

Closing date: 10 October 2025 but may be extended.

Interview date: Proposed interview date is 6 November 2025.

How to apply

Please complete the application form in full alongside the skills and experience questionnaire.

• Job / Person Specification
• Vacancy Advert
• Committee Skills Questionnaire
• Application Form

Please send it to : or

We would kindly ask you to apply electronically. Alternatively you can post your application to :

Address: Office of the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Sackville House Brooks Close Lewes East Sussex BN7 2FZ.

For queries please contact :

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 of Office

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 organisations 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 the similar times each year with the next taking place on 16 September 2025 the remaining meetings will take place as follows :

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

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

Remuneration and Reimbursement of Travel Costs

Your remuneration will be 162 per day or 81 per half day.

You will also be reimbursed with any 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

Role Profile and Person Specification

The role profile and person specification are included in this pack. If you would like to discuss the role in more detail please contact Iain McCulloch Chief Finance Officer on or Maria Kean Assurance Officer on .

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;
• politically active.

What happens next

Successful applications will be shortlisted followed by an interview proposed interview date is 6 November 2025.

Equal Opportunities

The Police & Crime Commissioner operates within the Equalities and Diversity Policy of Sussex Police.