Lead Auditor

RAF High Wycombe, with hybrid working and regular UK wide travel

A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced lead auditor to join the department of the Chief Environment & Safety Officer (CESO) at the RAF Safety Centre, in the delivery of continual improvement ensuring the highest standards of Safety & Environmental Protection. The role based at RAF Air Command, delivers the Health, Safety & Environmental Protection audit programme, to provide assurance to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), that the organisation is compliant with all relevant statutory HS&EP legislation and Defence policy. Audits are conducted according to, but not limited to our Joint Service Protocols (JSPs,) namely JSP’s 815 & 816 (Safety & Environmental Management Systems) on a 3 yearly rolling programme. The job involves regular travel to RAF establishments to undertake detailed auditing, through a coordinated itinerary at a Station. You will be supported by HS&EP professionals from the wider CESO team, who will accompany under your direction, to undertake each integrated audit. The role also conducts a level of overarching oversight and analysis of assurance findings, to enable pro-active identification of HS&EP trends. There is an opportunity for the successful applicant to shape the role and identify opportunities for enhancement, in the way we conduct audit and assurance.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

The post holder, reporting directly to the Chief Environment & Safety Officer, will lead the delivery of the Air 3 yearly assurance programme for statutory HS&EP. The role requires regular travel for approx. 1 week away in every 6 to 8 weeks, conducting a detailed full scope audit for each Air establishment. Experience of working within the Ministry of Defence/RAF would be an advantage, but this is not essential for the right candidate able to adapt quickly and apply audit skills and knowledge at pace. This is a fantastic opportunity to help shape the way we deliver continual improvement and ensure the highest standards of safety and environmental protection.

Other role responsibilities include:

• Support review of policy and guidance in collaboration with MOD head office and other military forces and stakeholders (Army, Navy, Strat Com etc).
• Develop analysis to support identification of trends in HS&EP events and behaviours.
• Preparing and providing reports and statistics to senior and top-level committees as required.
• Specialist inputs to Parliamentary/Ministerial business, FOI/EIR[1] requests and media briefings or press releases as required.
• Conduct topical deep dive audits, as and when the need is identified.
• Support the draft of the Air annual assurance report.
• Collaborative engagement with other RAF Safety Centre, safety domains.
• Support the development of the HS&EP professions framework.
• Potential for the role to be responsible for line management of one or more SO2 staff members, in the near future.
• Other tasks to support the department, as directed by CESO (RAF).

[1] Freedom of Information/Environmental Information Regulations

The successful post holder will need to be lead auditor accredited/qualified and able to demonstrate significant experience in the delivery of audit and assurance programmes. Ideally the individual will have experience in a defence related environment, but equally an enthusiasm to learn and apply existing capabilities and audit qualification will suffice. Experience and knowledge spanning environmental protection management, as well safety would also be an advantage. The post requires an individual willing to travel to UK wide RAF and MOD establishments to conduct detailed audits for approx. a week away at a time. The individual will need to be a confident and assertive communicator, and proficient in the writing of reports in the presentation of audit findings and review of policy documents. The post may be required to take on line management of other members of the audit team in the future.

Must hold a minimum of a recognised Lead Auditor qualification/accreditation.

NEBOSH National General Certificate in Health & Safety as a minimum, but ideally NEBOSH Health & Safety Diploma qualified.

NEBOSH certificate or Diploma in Environmental Management, or some demonstrable experience of environmental awareness and/or managing environmental risks.

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership

Alongside your salary of £41,000, Ministry of Defence contributes
£11,070 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

The post does not offer relocation expenses (move of home, excess fares or temporary transfer). Non Standard move applicants will be eligible for the full package, subject to eligibility.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

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The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

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Job contact :

• Name : Lizzy Kijewski
• Email : Elizabeth.kijewski100@mod.gov.uk
• Telephone : 07812487602

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk