Vacancy -- Auditor

'Pan Wales' means that the location in which the vacancy can be based is flexible, subject to the needs of the business. Please note it may not always be possible to accommodate a preference for a specific office location, but requests will be taken into consideration.

The post holder will play a key part in delivering the Wales Audit Authority programme of audits, which are undertaken on behalf of the European Commission.    Reporting to a Senior Auditor, the post holder will perform audit reviews and financial control audits ensuring these are delivered to strict timescales and in compliance with International Auditing Standards. 

These reviews include:

• Projects financed from the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds (granted through the Welsh Government and other Government Bodies);
• Projects financed from the Ireland-Wales European Territorial Cooperation Programme (EU Interreg IVA funds);
• The controls within the Welsh Government in its role as Paying Agency under the relevant European Agriculture regulations;
• The management and control systems of the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) and its designated Intermediate Bodies; and
• Internal audits of Welsh Government departments and other bodies.

Failure to meet standards and deliver objectives to strict timescales puts European Funds to Wales at risk.

• Plan, execute and deliver a portfolio of audits across a range of EC-funded projects (some run by the WG but most run by external organisations) within agreed deadlines and to the required quality standard.
• Audit procurement processes, State aid compliance, eligibility of project costs and payroll/financial transactions.
• Conclude on the findings of your audit work and feedback the results to auditees – including audit outcomes and recommendations to address remedial action needed.
• Complete a clear and full audit evidence file to support the work undertaken and conclusions reached.
• Draft the audit reports for Senior Auditor review (prior to issue to the audited project).
• Contribute to the development of audit working papers and the continuous improvement of business processes.
• Keep abreast of current EC Regulations and requirements.
• Undertake internal audit work - evaluating systems and controls, assessing risks, and recommending improvements.

European funding audit requirements in Wales will cease from 2025. As a result, work will subsequently focus on internal audit work of domestic arrangements performed by Welsh Government and other bodies.

The post provides the opportunity to work in a high profile area and contribute to a key role in the effective delivery of the Welsh European Structural and Investment Fund (ESI) programmes up to 2025.  It will provide wider experience of ESI funded projects across a broad spectrum of areas and an understanding of the financial management of such projects as well as audit experience within a complex regulatory regime. 

There will also be opportunities to work with other Audit Authorities from across the UK and Ireland and represent the Welsh Audit Authority at EU meetings and events.

The post holder will be given the autonomy to organise, manage and deliver their allocated plan of work within required deadlines.

Beyond 2025, candidate will gain wider experiences of Welsh Government functions as part of the internal audit role.

The successful candidate will be financially supported with training costs relevant to the role. Annual Professional membership fees (IIA / CCAB) relevant to the post will also be reimbursed.

22/08/2022, 16:00

Posts recruited to as part of this recruitment campaign are broadly open to UK nationals, those with right to remain and work in the UK and those that meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules only. Check your eligibility here:

• UK Visas and Immigration - GOV.UK

• Nationality rules – GOV.UK

Prior to appointment, all successful applicants will be required to produce original, acceptable documents as part of the pre-employment checks. If it becomes apparent at a later stage in the process that you aren’t eligible to apply, your application will be withdrawn, or offer retracted.

The Welsh Government is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and which promote equality of opportunity. This is underpinned by the Equality Act 2010 and will be adhered to at each stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure that these commitments are also embedded in our day-to-day working practices with all our customers, colleagues and partners.

We are committed to being an anti-racist organisation and increasing diversity in the Welsh Government by removing barriers and supporting all our staff to reach their potential. We are committed to recruiting Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people and disabled people who are currently under-represented in Welsh Government.

We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, marriage and civil partnership (both same sex and opposite sex), impairment or health condition, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, gender identity or gender expression.

We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion and a Disability Confident Level 3 (Leader) organisation. Key to supporting this work and providing peer support are five Board sponsored Staff Networks (Disability Awareness and Support (DAAS); Minority Ethnic Support Network (MESN); Mind Matters (Mental health and well-being); PRISM (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex +) and Women Together.

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

The Welsh Government is a bilingual organisation and Welsh language skills are considered an asset to the organisation. We encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills in the workplace. 

The following list of language requirements represents an objective assessment by the line manager on behalf of the Welsh Government of the Welsh language skills required to undertake the duties of this particular post.

In Welsh Government, the relationship between the employer and trade unions is based on social partnership. We believe our goals can best be achieved by management and trade unions working together.

Our 3 recognised trade unions are:
•         PCS
•         Prospect
•         FDA

This relationship is underpinned by a partnership agreement. This sets out how our unions work with Welsh Government on issues such as:
•         pay
•         terms and conditions
•         policies and procedures
•         organisational change.

Our Welsh Government trade union colleagues work together to give their members a real say in the workplace. They make sure that the interests of their members are promoted and protected. They also help reduce inequalities and improve terms and conditions.

The Welsh Government has an excellent track record of working in partnership with its trade unions. We encourage staff to get involved. We support you to join a recognised trade union, to ensure your voice is heard in the workplace. and to learn more about trade unions and partnership working.

• Unless stated otherwise in ‘actual starting salary’, all candidates will start at the minimum of the pay scale being appointed to (this includes existing civil servants).This is not negotiable.
• Unless stated otherwise in ‘type of opportunity’, this recruitment advert is not open on a Loan or Secondment basis.
• For more information on the eligibility criteria and terms and conditions for Loan and Secondment positions in Welsh Government, please see external recruitment candidate guidance.
• Unless stated otherwise in ‘Location of Post’ the role/s recruited to via this campaign can only be worked in the UK, not overseas.

All applications for this vacancy should be made online via the Welsh Government's online application system.  If you have an impairment which would prevent you from applying on-line, please e-mail SharedServiceHelpdesk@gov.wales to request an application pack in an alternative format, or to request a reasonable adjustment related to an impairment in order to submit your application.

To apply, you'll need to have an account on our online application system.  Click the 'Apply' button below, and you'll be asked to 'Log in' if you already have an account, or 'Register' if you don't yet have an account.  Registration takes just a few minutes to complete.  You'll need an e-mail address to be able to register.  Once you've registered for an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the online application form, which you'll need to fully complete and submit before the deadline on the closing date.  

If you’d like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the ‘Newid Iaith / Change Language’ link at the top of this page, to take you to the Welsh version of this advert, from which you can apply in Welsh.

For further information regarding the Welsh Government recruitment process, please see the Recruitment Guidance for External Candidates (link).

When evidencing your suitability for the post, it is recommended that you refer to the Civil Service Competency Framework (link)

Anyone who believes they have been treated unfairly, or has a grievance or complaint, about how the process was conducted should either write to the Head of Resourcing, Welsh Government, Cathays Park 2, Cardiff CF10 3NQ or email SharedServiceHelpdesk@gov.wales.  If you are unhappy with the outcome of the complaint raised with the Welsh Government and feel that the principles of appointment on merit through fair and open competition have not been met you have the right to pursue your grievance with the Civil Service Commission.