Head of Risk, Assurance and Governance

The OPG is seeking a senior expert and leader for governance, risk, assurance, audit, business continuity and counter fraud. The post holder will be responsible for providing confidence to the Executive Board and Audit & Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC) that OPG is being governed effectively and is managing its key risks, including ensuring that OPG has effective business continuity and counter fraud arrangements in place across the organisation. The post holder will have responsibility for the management of two teams (OPG Secretariat & Governance and OPG Risk & Assurance Team), and will lead, nurture and develop these teams to deliver an excellent service to stakeholders across OPG and beyond. The OPG Secretariat & Governance team provides central governance and organisational support to the OPG Board, Executive and its subcommittees. The team ensures effective Decision making by managing meeting cycles, commissioning and quality assuring papers, maintaining and managing action logs, drafting minutes and providing clear forward look planning. They act as the central point of contact for all governance and committee related enquiries, providing troubleshooting, guidance and operational support to senior leaders and paper authors across the organisation. Areas of responsibility include:

• Leading the planning and delivery of OPG Boards and Committees, ensuring Terms of Reference are in place.
• Quality assuring papers, minutes, decisions and actions, including ensuring actions progress through to completion.
• Leading the development of the Secretariat & Governance team and driving continuous improvement of governance and secretariat processes.
• Facilitating the completion of annual governance statements.
• Audit & Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC) support
The Risk & Assurance team is responsible for ensuring that OPG is managing risk appropriately, ensuring that the necessary processes and governance are in place to ensure that the Agency is compliant with government recommendations in these areas. Areas of responsibility include:
• Risk Management and oversight of the OPG Strategic Risk Register
• Internal audit
• Counter Fraud
• Business Continuity
• Assurance mapping
• Audit & Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC) support
• Corporate Assurance Planning
• Completion of the Annual Report
Duties and Responsibilities The role holder will work closely with the senior management of OPG, non-executive directors and colleagues from across MoJ and consequently they will require excellent stakeholder management skills and the ability to operate in a complex environment and influence others. Specific areas of responsibility include:
• Oversight of all aspects of corporate risk management within the agency ensuring the
• corporate risk register is fit for purpose, and that risk is managed actively day to day, providing challenge and supporting risk owners through delivery of risk workshops and regular risk review meetings, advising the Executives and Board on risk appetite, risk tolerance and emerging strategic risks.
• Acting as the Subject Matter Expert for Corporate Governance, including taking responsibility for the OPG- MoJ Governance Framework, the internal OPG Board Governance Framework and the production of the OPG Annual Report.
• Responsibility for Counter Fraud within the Agency and ensuring that the Agency has an appropriate and active internal counter fraud process.
• Management of the OPG relationship with the Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA), including ensuring that the annual audit plan is fit for purpose and is carried out in an efficient manner. Ensuring that actions are owned by Executives and provide an effective resolution to findings and are completed in accordance with GIAA agreed timescales.
• Leading the development and maintenance of OPG's corporate assurance framework, ensuring an integrated approach to governance, assurance and risk management.
• Ensuring that OPG has robust and effective business continuity and security measures in place, working with the OPG Estates and Health & Safety Team to test and improve where necessary.
• Oversight of the OPG Secretariat function, ensuring that key committees and meetings within OPG are coordinated and delivered effectively.
• Leading continuous improvement of Board and Committee effectiveness, ensuring governance arrangements remain proportionate, efficient and aligned to strategic objectives.
• Team leadership, ensuring that staff are valued and supported to deliver their best at work.
• Acting as a senior leader across OPG, supporting staff members and engaging in cross agency initiatives as required.
• Responsible for co-ordinating key returns to MOJ, ensuring quality standards are met and deadlines adhered to.
Agreed Expectations The successful candidate will be expected to work from their base location on a weekly basis in line with current Civil Service requirements, outside of any reasonable adjustments. Occasional travel to our offices in Birmingham and Nottingham may be required., The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity. Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone's circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review. For nationally advertised roles: All successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) - See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity). For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location's respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended). Some of MoJ's terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made. MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer. All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet. Flexible working hours The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ's Flexible Working policy., As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team. For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos. Diversity & Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. Redeployment Interview Scheme Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'. MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion., We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability Statement of Suitability Guidance for the Statement of Suitability A statement of Suitability of no more than 1000 words, to demonstrate your experience against the essential skills required for this role. Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the lead criteria: Excellent line management and leadership skills, including the ability to build diverse, inclusive, high performing teams and lead through ambiguity and organisational change. Evidence of Experience CV or Work History, Statement of SuitabilityInterview stage assessments Interview Dates Expected to commence 9 December 2026 (subject to change) Behaviours Leadership Seeing the Big Picture Communicating and Influencing Making Effective Decisions Strengths Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here. Level of security checks required Baseline Personnal Security Standard (BPSS)

Essential Skills
• The ability to communicate complex technical information clearly, verbally and in writing, to a wide audience.
• Ability to persuade, influence and diplomatically challenge senior stakeholders.
• Effective problem-solving skills with the ability to reach solutions and make recommendations based on knowledge and experience.
• Excellent line management and leadership skills, including the ability to build diverse, inclusive, high performing teams and lead through ambiguity and organisational change. (Lead criteria)
• Excellent organisation and prioritisation skills, with the ability to work effectively across a range of tasks and under pressure.
• Knowledge of risk management and assurance processes.
Desirable Skills
• Knowledge of Government Audit Agency processes.
• Knowledge of counter fraud processes, and an understanding of business continuity disciplines.
• Knowledge of Government functional standards.
• Knowledge of Assurance mapping., Excellent line management and leadership skills, including the ability to build diverse, inclusive, high performing teams and lead through ambiguity and organisational change., The following Behaviours at Grade 7 level.
• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture (5-minute presentation)
• Communicating & Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
The 5-minute presentation will be assessing the behaviour of "Seeing the Big Picture".

The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) protects people in England and Wales who may not have the mental capacity to make certain decisions for themselves, such as about their health and finance. We are an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), set up in 2007 following the introduction of the Mental Capacity Act of 2005. OPG is responsible for registering lasting powers of attorney (LPA) and enduring powers of attorney (EPA) and supervising deputies who are appointed by the Court of Protection. OPG is a fantastic place to work offering a range of development opportunities. The OPG is a disability confident employer and is committed to developing a supportive and inclusive environment that reflects the diverse community we serve. OPG is currently delivering an ambitious transformation programme. This will change the way we provide services and help us meet the growing needs of our users, partners and our stakeholders. It will make sure our users experience a better level of support and will help us to respond to the changing needs of society. Transformation will ensure we can better support adults at risk and create high-quality services that are accessible and affordable.

The national salary range is £58,511 - £65,329, London salary range is £63,343 - £70,725. Your salary will be dependent on your base location, The MoJ offers a range of benefits: Annual Leave Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years' service. There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis. Pension The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best. Training The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities. Networks The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees. Eligibility Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition. Vacancies advertised "cross-government" are only open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules. Support
• A range of 'Family Friendly' policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
• For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
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