POST of ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT - Fixed Term Appointment for One Year with the Possibility

Vacancy

Job Title: Institutional Sustainability Manager

Salary range: £36,042 - £44,050 Appointments expected at the lower point of the band

Location: Bedwas, Caerphilly

Closing Date: 29 August 2017

Interview Date: 15 September 2017

Number of Posts: 1

Vacancy Reference No: HE0156/654

Other relevant information: This post is full time, but could be part time at 0.8 FTE for the right candidate.

Background At the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales – HEFCW – we regulate fee levels at higher education (HE) institutions, ensure a framework is in place for assessing the quality of higher education and scrutinise the performance of universities and other designated providers. We use resources from the Welsh Government and others to secure higher education learning and research of the highest quality, make the most of the contribution of HE to Wales's culture, society and economy and - working with Estyn - ensure the provision of accredited initial teacher training. We pay particular attention to priority areas that require additional financial support such as widening access to higher education, encouraging and funding part-time enrolments and supporting subjects such as clinical medicine where costs are much higher than tuition fee income.

Equal Opportunities and Welsh Language HEFCW warmly welcomes applications from all sections of the community and is pleased to accept application forms in Welsh and English. Appointments will be made on merit.

Security vetting As we share an office building with the Welsh Government, all employees are subject to a Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check and a basic Disclosure Scotland criminal record check and offers of employment are subject to satisfactory returns for both.

Further Information If you would like an informal discussion, in complete confidence, regarding this post please contact the line manager, Ewen Brierley, on 029 2085 9713.

How to apply Applications must be in the form of a completed application form addressing the requirements of the post and should be returned to [email protected]. CV’s will not be accepted.

Should you have any queries please contact the HR Department on 029 2085 9645. Job Description

1. Particulars of the job

Job Title Institutional Sustainability Manager Title of Line Manager Head of Sustainability and Assurance Team Institutional Engagement Date of Description July 2017 Level 4

Statement of Overall Purpose As a senior member of the Institutional Engagement Team and under the guidance of the Head of Sustainability and Assurance:

 To manage, in liaison with the Senior Institutional Financial Assurance Manager, HEFCW’s processes for monitoring institutions’ financial performance, long term sustainability plans and their compliance with the requirements of the Financial Management Code.

 To manage the institutional assurance review process to provide assurance to the Council and the Accounting Officer on the governance and framework of controls at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)  To manage and develop the Institutional Risk Review Process.

So that HEFCW successfully delivers the objectives set out in its Corporate Strategy and in doing so contributes to the sustainability and development of a strong HE sector in Wales and the requirements placed upon it by the Welsh Government.

2. Key Activities directly linked to overall purpose 1. Analyse and provide a critical appraisal of regulated institutions’ financial 40% performance. Involves the review of institutions’ financial statements and forecasts to produce a report for the Audit & Risk Assurance Committee and Council analysing and assessing each institution’s financial position; and preparation of ad-hoc financial appraisals or reports. Also involves working across teams to confirm the consistency of financial assumptions with the information held by other teams. 2. Co-ordinate and develop the Institutional Risk Review process and report 20% the outcomes to the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee, Council and HEIs. 3. Manage the institutional assurance review programme and provide a 10% critical appraisal of the framework of control at HEIs and to produce recommendations and action plans to address any weaknesses. Also involves liaising and co-ordinating reporting with HEFCW staff responsible for academic governance matters. Includes production of reports of review visits for the HEFCW Accounting Officer and the Head of institution and institutions’ audit committees/governing bodies 4. Appraise the annual audit returns, student data audits and other 10% assurance returns submitted by HEIs to HEFCW and to use this information as a basis for the assessment of risk to inform the Council’s Institutional Risk Review and the Annual Governance Assurance Statement. This includes monitoring HEIs’ compliance with the requirements of the HEFCW Financial Management Code. 5. Monitor HEI governance development and support arrangements working 10% with the relevant sector bodies to develop annual governor events programme.

6. Maintain own professional development and participate in sector wide 5% 9. groups that contribute to the development of financial, audit and governance best practice. Includes arranging annual meetings with the HEI auditors. 7. Carry out activities and fulfil responsibilities which contribute to the 5% 1 economic, effective and efficient operation of HEFCW including, but not limited to, responsibilities in respect of Information Security, risk management, financial regulation and Health, Safety & Environment.

3 Resources impacted on (i.e. budgets, line managees):

No direct responsibility for budget or line management. Role indirectly contributes to the monitoring and compliance with HEFCW requirements for all HEI expenditure. 4 Minimum capabilities required to do the job ‘fully met’ or equivalent level of knowledge: see 4.1 and 4.2 listed below 4.1 Qualifications:  Degree qualification or equivalent  CCAB qualified accountant or equivalent professional qualification relevant to the role 4.2 Work experience, personal qualities and skills in dealing with people

Experienced professional with substantial post qualification experience in a financial analysis role in public sector, higher education or finance/accountancy.

Strong analytical ability and effective written and oral skills in order to produce and present reports for a variety of audiences.

Able to work and produce reports independently within fixed and sometimes short timescales with minimal guidance.

Able to represent the Council externally and able to exercise judgement and diplomacy and maintains confidentiality of information

Highly numerate and a very competent and confident user of standard software packages

An excellent team player, able to develop and maintain good working relationships, with HEFCW colleagues and HEI staff at all levels and professional advisors to the sector in particular internal and external auditors

Able to contribute to meetings and working groups effectively

Excellent problem solving skills

Welsh language skills are desirable