HQ Job Description (JD)
Band 5
Directorate: Strategy, Planning and Performance
Job Description - Standards Auditor
Document Ref.
HQ-JES-0856 Standards Auditor v3.0
Document Type
Management
Version
3.0
Classification
Official
Date of Issue
9 April 2020
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Job Evaluation Assurance and Support Team
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence
HQ-JES-0856 Standards Auditor v3.0
Job Description
Job Title
Standards Auditor
Directorate
Strategy, Planning and Performance
Band
5
Overview of the job
To deliver audits or assigned elements of audits to the required standard set by
Operational and Systems Assurance Group (OSAG) and SPDRs.
Standards Auditors will report to the Standards Audit Managers.
The position is nationally based and extensive travel should be expected.
Standards Auditors must have recent experience in an operational role and be up to
date with their control and restraint accreditation and able to maintain it over the
secondment period (and fitness test where applicable). Auditors are required to hold
the powers of a Constable, i.e. Prison Officer, Supervising Officer, Custodial Manager
or Operational Governor Grade.
There are no line management responsibilities but Standards Auditors will need to
be able to manage the audit process from beginning to draft report stage for
singleton audits, providing feedback to Governors and Directors of establishments
and functional heads.
Summary
To deliver audits or assigned elements of audits to the required standard set by
OSAG and SPDRs.
Auditors are responsible for building and managing relationships with Governors/
Directors, functional managers and their staff. They are responsible for continually
working to promote understanding of Audit within HMPPS, building and sustaining
the necessary working relationships and networks, seeking to realise the long term
vision of the Group. Auditors should therefore actively promote the vision and
values of HMPPS.
Auditors will take into account that decisions made during an audit will impact on
the performance rating of the establishment and may have an impact on the Service
in general both in terms of performance and cost.
Responsibilities,
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities
Activities and Duties
and duties:
? To manage the audit process when required, undertake the research and
consultation necessary for the definition and documentation of a specific
audit assignment. This may involve collecting and analysing data from a
wide range of sources. To ensure that the client understands and accepts
the terms of reference for the audit assignment.
? To conduct or contribute to the assignment according to approved work
plans.
? To work within the quality standards defined by OSAG.
? To evaluate the results of work and decide on the extent to which risks are
managed.
? To review the report with OSAG management.
? Contribute to team de-briefings on the assignment.
? To Identify, promote and share best practice.
? To provide advice and support to establishments during audits.
? To provide constructive feedback to Governors, Directors and Functional
Managers.
? Demonstrate your commitment to equality and inclusion in the delivery of
your day to day work.
HQ-JES-0856 Standards Auditor v3.0
Audit processes
To contribute to improving audit processes by:
? Contributing to the design, development and documentation of the work
processes.
? Contribute to quality assessments.
Training/Self Development
Auditors should take responsibility for their own development by:
? Adopting a program of ongoing self-development.
? Actively seeking opportunities for keeping up to date.
? Contributing to/participating in relevant training/educational and
development programs.
? Be up to date with their control and restraint accreditation and able to
maintain it over the secondment period (and fitness test where applicable).
Levels of decision making
? Draft reports cannot be issued without the approval of a manager but we
expect competent auditors to be able to conduct an entire audit from initial
research through to production of the draft report with little or no
intervention from a manager. This includes deciding audit ratings and
making recommendations for improvements. This will also include
negotiating findings and recommendations with functional heads and
Governors/Directors - and trying to resolve any areas of contention.
? Auditing standards require that work is reviewed at various stages of
completion; this is to ensure that it meets the required standard and that
conclusions drawn are consistent across the Group.
? Work to be completed with minimal review necessary.
? It is important to draw the distinction between this review and decision
making. Where targets are not met it becomes a performance or training
issue rather than limiting the decision-making ability.
? Auditors will often be working on a range of audits at one time and are
responsible for planning and prioritising their own workloads.
? On occasions auditors will work without an Operational Audit Manager
present, in these circumstances the auditor will assume the role of the
Operational Audit Manager and manage the audit as required.
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not
Intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable
alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant
adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall
be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.
Behaviours
? Delivering at pace
? Working Together
? Managing a Quality Service
? Communicating and Influencing
? Making Effective Decisions
Strengths
It is advised strengths are chosen locally, recommended 4-8.
Essential Experience
? Standards Auditors must have recent experience in an operational role and
be up to date with their control and restraint accreditation and able to
maintain it over the secondment period (and fitness test where applicable).
Auditors are required to hold the powers of a Constable, i.e. Prison Officer,
Supervising Officer, Custodial Manager or Operational Governor Grade.
? Must be able to work remotely with minimal input and contact with a
manager.
HQ-JES-0856 Standards Auditor v3.0
Technical
Requirements
Ability
? All auditors need to have excellent communication skills - both written and
oral.
Minimum Eligibility
? All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post.
? All external candidates are subject to 6 months’ probation. Internal candidates are
subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within
HMPPS.
? All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or
organisation which HMPPS consider to be racist.
Hours of Work
This role can be offered as an Interchange post with a requirement for current
(Unsocial Hours)
operational experience.
Allowances
HQ-JES-0856 Standards Auditor v3.0
Success Profile
Strengths
Behaviours
It is advised strengths
Ability
Experience
Technical
are chosen locally,
recommended 4-8
Delivering at Pace
All auditors need to have Standards Auditors must have recent experience in
excellent communication an operational role and be up to date with their
skills - both written and
control and restraint accreditation and able to
oral.
maintain it over the secondment period (and fitness
test where applicable). Auditors are required to hold
the powers of a Constable, i.e. Prison Officer,
Supervising Officer, Custodial Manager or
Operational Governor Grade.
Working Together
Must be able to work remotely with minimal input
and contact with a manager.
Managing a Quality Service
Communicating and Influencing
Making Effective Decisions
HQ-JES-0856 Standards Auditor v3.0