Co-Opted Member of Audit and Risk Committee (AR0001)

Appointment of Co-opted member of Audit and Risk Committee

The University of Hull is seeking to appoint two co-opted members of its Audit & Risk Committee, to commence in summer 2024.

The University of Hull is operating in an increasingly complex, challenging, and competitive environment. We have a clear ‘Strategy 2030 – shaping a fairer brighter and carbon neutral future’, developed in collaboration with our staff, students, and partners, which will steer the organisation and our people through this period, whilst driving the necessary growth in performance.

Central to the strategy is the need to work locally, nationally and globally to tackle two of the biggest challenges of our generation – sustainability and social inequality.

Persistent injustices exist across many different areas of society: the inhumanity of modern slavery and exploitation, inequalities in education and health outcomes, and regional disparities in employment opportunities and economic security, to name but a few. Meanwhile, the threats from climate change grow ever more urgent, requiring a rapid transition to clean growth and a low carbon future. Moreover, these are intersecting challenges, with the climate crisis a further source of injustice as its most severe impacts are set to fall on those communities both least likely to contribute to its causes and least able to mitigate and adapt to its effects. 

We know that a singular focus on economic growth brings disproportionate benefits to those with advantage. To achieve a more equitable and sustainable society, inclusive social and economic development is essential, and this is the case both for the Humber region and globally. 

Our strategy recognises that these are challenges with no quick solutions. Making a difference will require the dedicated, long-term, collective effort of a strong community over at least the next decade. 

The University of Hull is driving this change, drawing on our areas of strength and collaborating with partners from our region and around the world. Working across the multidisciplinary themes of energy and environment, social justice and responsibility, health, cultural and creative industries, and business and logistics, we will shape socially and environmentally just solutions. 

Our strategy establishes this as our enduring and consistent objective through to 2030. This date is aligned with the target set by the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Our Vision:

Motivated by society’s challenges and inspired by the power of our global community, we are shaping a fairer, brighter and carbon neutral future.

We have set out three key pillars for how we will deliver this:

A diverse and strong community of talented and motivated individuals where everyone feels respected and supported to realise their potential

Our rich heritage as an institution, rooted in our region and our strong international reputation will drive our work as a responsive, globally engaged civic university

 As an effective and dynamic partner of choice, we will work in strategic collaboration with others to deliver impact with mutual and wider benefit

The Role:

The University is looking for experienced applicants from diverse backgrounds with an interest and insight into the issues facing higher education.  Members of our Audit and Risk Committee will bring thoughtful and mature debate to meetings, be principled yet innovative, and be ready to challenge and question the decisions we are taking to shape the University’s future. A background and qualification in finance or accounting would align with current needs in our skills matrix but we would welcome expressions of interest from a wide range of areas and experiences, including audit, property, and technology. 

The Higher Education sector, nationally and globally, is currently experiencing significant challenges and the Audit and Risk Committee plays a vital role in helping to understand and mitigate against those risks.

The Committee has delegated authority from the University Council for keeping under review the effectiveness of risk management control.  It is the role of the Audit and Risk Committee to advise and assist Council in respect of the entire assurance and control environment of the institution.  They have oversight of the work of both the internal and external auditors, and the risk management process of the institution.

Members serve as trustees of the University in its role as a charity and are expected to comply with relevant regulations and the Nolan Principles.

The Audit and Risk Committee is a sub-committee of the University Council and has five scheduled meetings per year, one of which is jointly with the Finance and Investment Committee to consider the Annual Report and accounts.

The overall time commitment is around one day per month with prior reading of committee papers, although there is the possibility that some meetings will be held remotely and not require travel to the campus. Co-opted members are not paid, but expenses are reimbursed. A full induction and ongoing support will be provided by the University’s governance team.

For an informal conversation about this opportunity please contact Chris Ince, University Secretary, on c.ince@hull.ac.uk 

Expressions of interest in the form of a covering letter and brief CV should be submitted by 12 April 2024 to c.ince@hull.ac.uk

Interviews are expected to take place via videoconference/in person during early May 2024.

The University of Hull is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Closing Date: 12 Apr 2024

Subject Group/Team: Professional, Management and Snr Admin

Salary: Time committment is around 1 day per month