Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee
Crown Prosecution Service
Stephen Parkinson, Director of Public Prosecutions
Stephen Parkinson, Director of Public Prosecutions
Since I became Director of Public Prosecutions in November 2023, I have made it a priority to provide the best leadership to all our staff and to transform and improve the service we provide.
The Crown Prosecution Service sits at the heart of the criminal justice system, working with partners to help keep the public safe. We prosecute criminal cases that have been investigated by the police and other investigative organisations in England and Wales.
Our duty is to make sure that the right person is prosecuted for the right offence, and to bring offenders to justice wherever possible. These offences can include burglary, terrorism, domestic abuse and multimillion-pound fraud cases. We also work across borders to tackle cybercrime, human trafficking and drugs smuggling, and use our powers to confiscate the proceeds of crime at home and abroad.
Stephen Parkinson, Director of Public Prosecutions
Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee
As Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC) you support, and are a member of, the Crown Prosecution Service Board and lead on delivering ARAC responsibilities. This includes advising risk and assurance management, internal controls, and the reliability of assurances provided by internal and external audit. You need to work effectively within the Board, the Executive Group and (if appropriate) report to law officers to ensure audit and risk issues and gaps are understood and escalated effectively. As Chair you also need to support effective input from other non-executive ARAC members.
You need to have an excellent understanding of public sector governance and experience of financial, risk and audit reporting. You're expected to build a good understanding of the Crown Prosecution Service and its role in the wider criminal justice system. And you build and maintain useful and collaborative relationships with people across and outside the organisation to do this.
As Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee, you have the chance to make a positive difference to the communities we serve and to wider society. The Crown Prosecution Service is a diverse and inclusive employer and works hard to create a culture where everyone can thrive.
What's the role?
This vacancy is for a non-executive board member to be part of the Crown Prosecution Service Board and to Chair our Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC). It's a London-based three-year role with a possible extension of up to another three years.
The Crown Prosecution Service Board, consisting of non-executive board members, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Director Generals, agrees the strategic direction and priorities for the Crown Prosecution Service. It provides a forum for constructive challenge on proposals and the implementation of decisions by the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Executive Team. It plays a key role in ensuring that the organisation is equipped to provide a professional, efficient and high-quality service. The Board meets at least eight times a year.
The Crown Prosecution Service ARAC consists of four members - two non-executive board members, one of whom is the Chair (this post) and two additional non-executive members. ARAC is also regularly attended by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Director Generals, representatives from the internal audit provider, representatives from external audit, and representatives from HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate. ARAC meets four times a year.
ARAC supports the Crown Prosecution Service Board and has delegated responsibility and authority for advising on elements of effectiveness linked to risk management, assurance management and the framework of internal control. The ARAC also reviews the comprehensiveness and reliability of assurances provided by internal audit, external audit and the Executive Group. It challenges where necessary when gaps in processes are identified and where weaknesses are exposed.
ARAC’s responsibilities include:
- reviewing the internal audit programme and reviewing action taken on audit recommendations
- reviewing action taken by management on HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate recommendations
- ensuring there is an effective risk management framework in place
- advising the Board on the overall risk appetite, tolerance and strategy
- reviewing the systems and process of internal control and governance
- reviewing the procedures for handling allegations from whistle-blowers
- recommending the Crown Prosecution Service Annual Report, resource accounts and Governance Statement to the Board for approval
- reviewing and challenging where necessary, the actions and judgements of management, in relation to the interim and annual financial statements.
This role pays £13,040 a year, plus reasonable expenses.
This is an outstanding opportunity to make a far-reaching contribution to the criminal justice system.
What's required?
Time commitment
You must commit up to 20 days a year, with a maximum of two days a month.
Person specification
You must able to demonstrate the following essential criteria.
- An understanding of public sector governance.
- Substantial experience of public sector financial, audit and risk reporting.
- A proven ability to operate strategically and contribute positively to an organisation in a non-executive capacity.
- Strong analytical skills, judgement and decision making.
- A proven ability to build proactive and collaborative relationships with people across and outside the organisation.
- No conflict of interest between your business activities and the non-executive member role.
It's desirable that you have knowledge of the criminal justice system in England and Wales and an understanding of the role of the Crown Prosecution Service within it.
If you're successful, you must get Security Check clearance before or once you've taken up the role.
How do I apply?
Please email us a CV setting out your career history and experience - up to two sides of A4. And a supporting statement with evidence of your achievementsin the areas detailed in the person specification (1,000 words max). Do let us know about any outside interests or reputational issues in a separate document.
The application deadline is 12pm on 6 September 2024.
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