ICS Audit and Risk Assurance Committee Chair

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Anywhere in the UK with travel to the DESNZ London office (55 Whitehall, Westminster, London, SW1A 2HP

  • Location Anywhere in the UK with travel to the DESNZ London office (55 Whitehall, Westminster, London, SW1A 2HP
  • Sector Central Government
  • Client Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
  • Job Type Fixed Term Contract
  • Remuneration £5000 per year. Time commitment c.15 days work per year. The ARAC will meet at least 4 times a year
  • Reference GSe121996
  • Closing Date Friday 9th May 2025 - 23:55

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) is responsible for delivering the security of energy supply, ensuring properly functioning energy markets, encouraging greater energy efficiency, and seizing the opportunities of net zero to lead the world in new green industries. DESNZ is the lead department delivering the Prime Minister’s Clean Energy Superpower Mission, which has 2 pillars: i) Clean Power by 2030, and ii) accelerating to net zero.

The Departmental Board and Audit & Risk Assurance Committee

The DESNZ Board is chaired by the Secretary of State. It sets the vision for the Department and guides its overarching policy. Non-Executive Departmental Board Members advise the Secretary of State and the executive team on the department’s strategy and priorities.

The Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC) supports the Departmental Board and Accounting Officer (the Permanent Secretary) in their responsibilities to ensure that DESNZ is a financially sound and efficient organisation that makes effective use of its resources in pursuit of its strategic objectives.  The ARAC reviews the effectiveness of DESNZ’s risk management framework and works to ensure the effective operation of financial and non-financial risk management and governance arrangements.

The Role – DESNZ ARAC Members

Audit and Risk Assurance Committee members play an important role advising the Permanent Secretary and the Departmental board to manage risk effectively and maintain robust internal controls. This is an opportunity to help shape the direction of a department at the heart of the government’s agenda, working on the biggest challenges of our time.

Integrated Corporate Services Audit Risk and Assurance Committee

Integrated Corporate Services is an innovative delivery model for shared corporate services, at the forefront of Government Reform. It delivers shared aspects of HR, Finance, Digital, Commercial, Estates & Security services for DSIT, DESNZ, DBT and several of the ALBs of these departments. The ICS Oversight Board, with senior representation from ICS participating departments, has overall decision-making authority for ICS and establishes the strategic aims and objectives of ICS in line with Government shared services strategy.

ICS are establishing a new Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC) to support the ICS Oversight Board and ICS Managing Director. This ARAC will review the comprehensiveness and reliability of assurances on governance, risk management, the control environment and the integrity of financial statements and policies prepared by ICS for its stakeholder departments. 

The Role – ICS ARAC Chair

The ICS Audit and Risk Assurance Committee Chair will ensure that ICS is a financially sound and efficient organisation that makes effective use of its resources in pursuit of its strategic objectives.

The Candidate

For these three key appointments, the Department is seeking experienced strategic leaders with proven experience of effective risk, performance and financial management. Candidates will bring strong analytical skills and the ability to identify key issues and implications. They will have excellent communications skills, able to effectively report findings and recommendations, and inspire confidence with a wide range of stakeholders. DESNZ are looking to source candidates with substantial experience of senior leadership in large and complex organisations in the public, private or voluntary sectors.

DESNZ ARAC Members will bring knowledge of key strategic issues and themes within energy AND/OR a track record of providing risk based legal advice in regulated industries.

For the ICS ARAC Chair, the Department are keen to attract candidates with a sound understanding of shared services operations and strategic themes.

An appreciation of the political context in which the Department works, including an understanding of the key challenges faced by the public sector is also essential. Experience working in the energy or net zero sectors or on domestic or international climate mitigation is desirable.

Application

If you have the depth of experience and skills, as well as an alignment to mission to help us achieve our ambitious goals, we would very much like to hear from you.

For more information or for an informal discussion about the role please contact our advising executive search consultants, GatenbySanderson:

Zoe Bennett, Principal Researcher: zoe.bennett@gatenbysanderson.com

Olivia Robinson, Consultant: olivia.robinson@gatenbysanderson.com

Darra Power-Mooney: darra.power-mooney@gatenbysanderson.com  

To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process by no later than 23.55 on Friday 9 May 2025

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Contacts

Olivia Robinson: 07964 826 291
Zoe Bennett: 07778 178265

Continue to full details and apply

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