Role Profile

Role title: Chair of Audit and Assurance Committee

Responsible to: Chair of the Board

Overview:

Purpose of Role

• Serve as a member of the Board and act as Chair of Audit and Assurance Committee. Providing leadership to the committee by working with all members to fulfil the committee’s delegated responsibilities as defined in the Terms of Reference and Standing Orders.
• Ensure the Board has robust support in assessing and managing risk and achieving a strong system of internal controls, including the provision of high quality independent internal and external audit support.
• Ensure the Board has robust support in assessing and managing financial performance including budgetary control, financial planning, analysis of financial statements and financial viability.
• Support the Board with the delivery of the Corporate Plan by ensuring the business operates in a way that is complaint with law, meets all regulatory requirements and maintains a strong and effective internal control framework.
• Maintain an effective committee through good governance and strategic planning, enabling scrutiny and oversight over the business, so that Board gains the required level of assurance to fulfil their duties and responsibilities.

Accountability

• Working with the Board, Executive, Leadership Team and Tenant Voice Group to gain assurance of the effectiveness of Community Housing’s risk management and internal controls framework.
• Providing confident leadership for the business on all areas defined within the Terms of Reference, engaging with the Board and Leadership to create an open and effective governance environment for Community Housing.
• Maintain dialogue, outside of formal meetings, with a range of colleagues including Chair, Vice Chair, Board Members, Committee Chairs, Chief Executive, the Executive Team, Leadership Team, the Company Secretary and the Governance Team.
• Report concerns to the Board or to external agencies when appropriate.

Main Duties and Responsibilities [additional to Board Membership]

• These essential functions of the Chair of Audit and Assurance Committee are in addition to the functions of all Board members:
• Leading the Committee, ensuring it has a clear strategic direction, vision and is effective and efficient in all aspects of its role.
• Direct and uphold Community Housing’s mission and values, acting within and in accordance with the governing documents across the organisation.
• Ensure that Community Housing complies with statutory and regulatory requirements including the Regulatory Frameworks within which Community Housing operates.
• Ensure that Community Housing complies with the adopted Code of Governance, Code of Conduct, Standing Orders and Financial Regulations and any organisational policies.
• Ensure compliance with the Terms of Reference of the Committee and any delegated authority approved by the Board.
• Consider the committee’s effectiveness annually and agree activities for continuous improvement.
• Ensure that all members are given the opportunity to express views and to allow sufficient time at meetings to discuss agenda items to the required depth within the allocated time.
• Facilitate the effective administration of the Committee, working with Officers to set the agenda, approve the minutes, track actions, prepare papers and review the meeting.
• Ensuring effective communication between the Committee and the Board, including regular Chairs reports to the Board and alerting the Chair and Chief Executive to matters of significance as they arise between formal meetings.
• Provide an appropriate level of oversight, scrutiny and challenge to the performance of the business and the Leadership Management Team as it seeks to deliver its Corporate Plan.
• Contribute to the review and evaluation of opportunities, threats and risks in the external environment and the relative strengths and weaknesses of the business to ensure effective strategic decision making.
• Act as lead in the investigation of serious internal control breaches such as fraud and whistleblowing on behalf of the Board when requested.

Person Specification

SELECTION CRITERIA

E = ESSENTIAL or D = DESIRABLE for applicants to meet relevant standard

Applicants will be asked to demonstrate how they meet the criteria which will be assessed through their CV, cover letter and interview.