Introduction - The Local Audit Office (LAO) is an arm's-length body of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). Employees of the LAO are public servants and are not classed as civil servants.
How to Apply - To apply you will need to submit a CV and Statement of Suitability via the Be Applied link. Your CV (up to two pages) should set out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years. Your Statement of Suitability (up to two pages) should explain how your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential and desirable criteria for the role.
Equal Opportunities - We encourage candidates to complete the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Data via Be Applied. The data will be treated in the strictest confidence and used for monitoring and statistical purposes only.
Interview Schemes - The LAO is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to creating a workplace where everyone is respected and supported. We actively promote equal opportunities at every stage of the employee lifecycle. As part of this commitment, we operate the Disability Confident Scheme. Applicants applying under these schemes who meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.
Working for the Local Audit Office - As a public servant, you will be expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and public service. Our Code of Conduct sets out the behaviours and values expected of all employees, reflecting the principles of accountability, objectivity and service in the public interest. We are committed to recruiting on the basis of merit through fair and open competition. Selection decisions are made in line with recognised public appointments and recruitment principles, ensuring a transparent, consistent and evidence-based approach. We also support individuals who are at risk of redundancy across the wider public sector through a Redeployment Interview Scheme. Candidates applying under this scheme who meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.
The Panel - Will Garton - MHCLG Director General, Chris Jones - MHCLG Director, Siobhan Jones - Director, and Rosie Seymour - Deputy Director. Additionally, the panel may be joined by one of our staff representatives from a pool of volunteers as part of our commitments to diversity and inclusion.
Shortlist - Applications will be sifted after the closing date and shortlisted candidates will be invited to the next phase of assessment and interview. Your CV and Statement of Suitability will be assessed against the essential criteria, these will also be used to form the basis of the panels final interview questions. Desirable criteria will only be used to determine the merit order of candidates who rank evenly against the essential criteria.
Assessment - Shortlisted candidates may be invited to attend a Staff Engagement Panel, designed to provide insight into how you engage and interact with your team. Feedback from the session is passed to the panel for consideration alongside your final interview.
Candidates may also be invited to meet with a Senior Stakeholder. This is not a formal part of selection, but an informal chance to find out more about the role and organisation.
Shortlisted candidates may also be invited to give a short presentation or complete an exercise at interviews - further details will be provided when invited to interview.
Feedback - This will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Expected Timeline
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Advert closes: 12th July
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Shortlisting: W/C 13th July
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Assessments: W/C 27th July
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Interviews: W/C 3rd August
- Please note that we try to offer flexibility where possible, but it may not always be possible to offer alternative interview dates.
Terms & Conditions
Salary - Remuneration for this role is £200,000 - £220,000 per annum.
Contract - This is a 5-year fixed term and full-time role. The LAO encourages flexible working. Full‑time working hours are 37 hours per week.
Location- The expected location for the Local Audit Office headquarters is currently Birmingham, and/or Leeds, but this may be subject to change. Subject to developing organisational policies, the successful candidate can work remotely from anywhere in the UK with expected office attendance, and regular stakeholder visits, to be agreed with the successful candidate.
Benefits:
Alongside a salary of up to £220,000. You will also benefit from:
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Enrolment in a Local Government Pension Scheme
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Defined benefit scheme of 1/49 (2.04%) of your annual pensionable pay added to your pension account.
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26 days annual leave, plus public holidays (pro-rated).
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Additional leave will accrue with service in line with LAO policy development.
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Learning and development tailored to your role
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An environment with flexible working options
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A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
Security Clearance - All LAO roles require candidates to meet the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) to confirm identity and employment history. This successful candidate must also hold Counter-Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance, which can take up to eight weeks. All offers are conditional on successful completion of the required checks, and candidates should not resign from their current role until clearance is confirmed. Further information is available in the Cabinet Office HMG Personnel Security Controls.
Near Miss Offers - Please note that near miss offers may be made at the lower grade to candidates who do not meet the grade criteria for this campaign.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
