Senior Programme Officer

at  Greater London Authority

KEY INFORMATION

Salary: £ 56,697 per annum
Grade: 9
Contract type: Permanent, Full Time
Reference: 718
Contract details: 2x Permanent Contract
Interview date: W/C10th March, 2025
Application closing date: Fri, 07/02/2025 - 23:59

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS/EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

• Relevant qualification (e.g., Degree, ISO 9001 etc.) or equivalent experience
• Demonstrable experience in assurance and quality management in complex programme and project environments
• Demonstrable understanding of the rules and regulations that govern the delivery of mainstream national and/or local skills and employment delivery programmes, and associated reporting and political drivers
• Thorough knowledge of project management, project control techniques or contract management
• Demonstrable understanding of data governance tools and frameworks
• Evidence of clear personal, verbal and written communication skills, and of ability to communicate complex issues to a range of audiences effectively, including using data visualisation techniques.
• Evidence of well-developed IT skills, solid experience of using financial management systems and processes, and excellent report writing skills.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

London’s diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London’s diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.
We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share.
Please note we are a Disability Confident Employer so for candidates who wish to be considered under the scheme and meet the essential criteria, they will automatically be invited to interview. Please note, should you require any adjustments through the process, we will accommodate as much as possible. Please contact the recruitment team for further information if required.

PLEASE NOTE, ALL CANDIDATES WILL NEED TO CONFIRM THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS APPLICATION FORM IS TRUE AND CORRECT. SHOULD A CANDIDATE DELIBERATELY GIVE FALSE INFORMATION, INCLUDING THE USE OF AI SOFTWARE, THEY UNDERSTAND THAT THIS WOULD DISQUALIFY THEM FROM CONSIDERATION.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record (DBS) check but some roles may require additional security screening.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The postholder will be a member of the Audit and Assurance function within the Portfolio Management Office (PMO), who will support the internal assurance and audit programme, support management of the audit programme for adult education service providers, management of the investigations and allegations process, contract management of external audit firms, contribute to any other assurance requirement on the unit’s programme , and delivery of a full-range of records management and data governance service and support to the Skills and Employment Unit.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Support with elements of the development and management of a programme of internal assurance on Skills and Employment Unit Programmes and Projects, (areas for investigation to be identified based on risks decided by the Skills and Employment Unit Senior Management Team), to include:
   a. Supporting the coordination of the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) internal control audits for the Unit’s programmes - this includes preparing for audit, liaising with auditors and liaising with other teams in the Unit to supply the data and information requested by the auditors, reporting on findings to Senior Management Team (SMT) and overseeing the Unit’s response.
   b. Working with the GLA Skills and Employment Unit Portfolio Office and Delivery colleagues who are process owners to improve/develop effective controls following findings and recommendations from audits.
   c. e. Supporting closure processes to ensure that all documentation required to satisfy internal or external Audit or Freedom of Information requests is retained and stored appropriately.
2. Support elements of the development and management of the Provider Audit programme for all Skills and Employment Unit Programmes to include:
   a. Procurement and contract management of external auditors
   b. Working with Delivery and the Funding Policy & Systems team colleagues to establish and collate the samples for audit
   c. Providing the provider audit reports to Delivery colleagues for any follow up action.
   d. Identification and collation of common errors and themes to improve the delivery of Skills and Employment Programmes.
   e. g. Drafting board papers for Assistant Directors sign-off on audit approaches
3. Coordinate external audits (as required) by our Funders or other interested parties to include:
   a. Leading external auditor meetings between the Audit & Assurance Team, Delivery and other internal colleagues, and providers.
   b. Liaising with internal teams to ensure that they supply the data and information requested by the auditors.
   c. Supporting coordination of the Unit’s response to auditors, and
   d. Supporting reporting findings to Skills for Londoners Programmes Board and the Skills and Employment Unit Senior Management Team.
4. Contribute to and support a range of records management and data governance services and support to the Skills and Employment Unit in adhering to GLA policies and procedures to include;
   a. Contribute to the development of a Skills Data Governance Strategy
   b. Supporting the delivery of the annual Information Asset Register and Record of Processing Activities in compliance with the FOI section 46 Code of Practice and GDPR
   c. Providing project support and advice and lead on data governance document collation and drafting including, but not limited to, Data Sharing Agreements; Privacy Notices; Data Protection Impact Assessments; and data sharing applications.
5. Manage the allegations and learner complaints process to include:
   a. Liaising with GLA Delivery colleagues regarding communications with provider, MOPAC, legal and external parties and assisting as required
   b. Supporting the management, investigation and response to complaints. This will include assisting delivery colleagues as necessary.
   c. Supporting routine reviews of activities, to ensure that actions are delivered within desired timelines.
   d. Providing routine reviews of the effectiveness of the approach and assuring alignment with legislative requirements
6. Support any other assurance requirements on the unit’s programmes, for example the annual Dept. for Education funding assurance response including statements/letters to funders
7. Produce periodic reports for the Skills for Londoners Programmes Board
8. Produce and present internal training presentations
9. Manage budget for internal and external audit and support Senior Managers to identify funding for new programmes

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ROLE

If you wish to talk to someone about the role, the hiring manager Pamela Schievenin would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at Pamela.Schievenin@london.gov.uk
If you have any questions about the recruitment process, contact the glaopdcrecruitment@tfl.gov.uk who support the GLA with recruitment.

If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following:

• Up to date CV
• Personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words. Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria outlined above in the advert