Expression of Interest - Independent Member of Council's Audit Risk & Improvement Committee

Job No: SHELL1180
Location: Shellharbour NSW

Applications are invited from suitably qualified individuals for the appointment to Shellharbour City Council’s Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC).

Membership currently consists of the following members: 3 independent voting members (one of whom is the Chair).

Council is seeking to fill the position of a new Independent Member for the ARIC.  The Committee was established in 2010 to ensure open and transparent governance, aligning with Council’s vision of delivering high-quality services valued and trusted by the community.

Council has implemented Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee Terms of Reference in line with the Office of Local Government's Guidelines for Risk Management and Internal Audit for Local Government in NSW (Guidelines), effective 1 July 2024.

All appointments are to be made based upon a demonstrated ability to meet the independence and eligibility criteria as well as ensuring the ARIC as a whole has a complementary mix of skills/experience.

Council’s ARIC is well established with members experienced in the following areas:

  • Financial management
  • Legal/compliance
  • Business management
  • Risk management
  • Audit Corporate governance.

The ARIC meets at least 4 times a year and Council will pay a competitive remuneration rate for independent membership of the ARIC. The fees payable for the Independent Member position will be $1,250.00 per meeting (excl. GST, inclusive of all travel, preparation and other costs).

For full details of the criteria, please review the information pack here.

About us: 

Shellharbour City, located in the Illawarra region, is just 80 minutes south of Sydney and is home to over 82,000 people in a city that spans 154 square kilometres.  It's an area of great natural beauty - stretching west from the picturesque coastline to rolling pastures, set against the majestic backdrop of the Illawarra escarpment. 

Our dedication to be financially sustainable in an evolving environment, while striving for a great organisational culture and committing to employing staff who embrace our core values, has made Shellharbour City Council an employer of choice.

 

Contact: Melinda Fitzgerald Risk and Internal Audit Manager on 0437 236 246 or email: council@shellharbour.nsw.gov.au 

Closing date: Sunday, 6 April 2025 at 11:30pm.

 

How to apply...

Applicants are required to complete the online form and address the independence, essential and desirable criteria and provide a copy of their current resume.

A shortlist of suitable applicants will be asked to progress to a final interview stage. The details of 2 referees are to be provided when applying or at the time of interview.

Please also note that while applicants are not required to provide evidence of qualifications with the expression of interest, Council may request to sight or receive a certified copy of the qualifications prior to appointing an applicant as a member of the ARIC as well as carrying out financial and criminal checks.

All unsuccessful applicants will be notified via email. 

Once you start your online application, you may save and return to this later, however incomplete applications will not be considered. You may wish to prepare your responses in a word document and then COPY and PASTE into the fields below. Your Resume and qualifications can be attached on the NEXT page.

When you have submitted your application, an email confirmation will be sent to your nominated email address. Please ensure you have the correct email address and check your inbox (including your "junk" inbox). 



For further information about the selection process including tips on how to address the selection criteria, please view our Guide To Applying.

Shellharbour City Council are an equal opportunities employer and promote the following;

We are a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. It is the responsibility of all employees to ensure that they treat our Community, Councillors, Customers and each other with respect and professionalism without regard to non-relevant criteria or distinctions.


We are committed to being a Child Safe Organisation. Our commitment promotes the rights of all children and young people to be safe from harm when interacting with our services and spaces. To realise our vision for a child-safe Shellharbour, we know that we must work together to ensure our children are given every opportunity to be safe, happy and thrive.


Shellharbour City Council are dedicated to building a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes inclusivity. We recognise the unique strengths and talents that individuals with disabilities bring to our team, and we are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive. We invite individuals with disability to apply for positions at Shellharbour City Council and we commit to discussing reasonable adjustments to roles (such as work hours) and the work environment (for example, different office equipment) where we can, to enable people with a disability to join our team. By doing so, people with disability can contribute to the skills, experiences, and perspectives that make our team stronger. Together, we can create a workplace that reflects the diversity of our community and ensures that everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential. At Shellharbour City Council, we believe that diversity is not just a policy—it's a reflection of who we are and what we stand for.

 

Our core values of collaboration, accountability, integrity, respect and sustainability represent who we are and what we expect of one another.

To work with us, you must be committed to role modelling our core values.

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Privacy Acknowledgment

The information on this form is being collected by Shellharbour City Council for the purpose of administering the recruitment process. Your personal information will be used by Council staff to contact you about your application. This information will be stored in Council's electronic records management system. You may apply to Council to access and correct this information. Please see Council's Privacy Management Plan (available on the website) or contact Council’s Privacy Officer on 4221 6111 for more information.


Personal Details * Required field

  1. Digits only or add + for international numbers

  1. (Please click on your profile and copy the URL from your profile page.)

Questions

  1. Independence Criteria
    To be eligible to apply, you must have no real or perceived bias or conflicts of interest that may interfere with the ability to act independently and can provide the Council with robust, objective and unbiased advice about how the Council is functioning.
    Please indicate below if you are NOT any of the following;
    i. currently a Councillor of any NSW Council
    ii. a non-voting representative of the board of the joint organisation
    iii. a candidate at the last election of the Council
    iv. a person who has held office in the council during its previous term
    v. currently employed by the Council or joint organisation, or been employed during the last 12 months
    vi. previously conducted audits of the Council on behalf of the Audit Office of NSW
    vii. a close personal or business relationship with a Councillor or a person who has a senior role in the Council that may lead to a real or perceived conflict of interest
    viii. currently, or within the last three years, provided any material goods or services (including consultancy, legal, internal audit and advisory services) to the Council which directly affect subjects or issues considered by the audit, risk and improvement committee;
    ix. a substantial shareholder, owner, officer or employee of a company that has a material business, contractual relationship, direct financial interest or material indirect financial interest with the Council or a related entity which could be considered a real or perceived conflict of interest (or have a close family member who is), or
    x. currently or have previously acted as an advocate of a material interest on behalf of the Council or a related entity which could be considered a real or perceived conflict of interest.*

    1. I agree, i am NOT any of the above

  2. Describe your experience in reading and understanding financial statements, and how you ensure compliance with the ethical requirements of government, especially in situations involving potential conflicts of interest?*

  3. What is your experience and functional knowledge in areas such as risk management, performance management, human resources management, internal and external auditing, financial reporting, accounting, or governance?
    Please highlight any specific knowledge in management control frameworks, internal financial controls, and business operations.*

  4. Provide an example of a time when you had to form an independent judgement and constructively challenge or question management practices or information? How did you approach the situation? *

  5. Explain how you can devote capacity and necessary time and effort to the responsibilities as an independent member of an audit, risk and improvement committee while ensuring a professional and ethical approach. *

  6. Outline your commitment to undertake any recommended training and development on the operation of audit, risk, and improvement committees as suggested by the chairperson. *

  7. Please provide contact details for two referees: (Note: Referees include current and/or previous employers, managers, supervisors).

  8. I have not been convicted by a Court of any criminal offences which could affect my application for this position.*

    1. I agree

  9. I am not aware of any health conditions that might interfere with my ability to perform the inherent job requirements and demands of this position.*

    1. I agree

    2. I will provide details in the next question

  10. Council is committed to providing an accessible, safe and inclusive workplace for all. To help us offer additional support or identify and support people from diverse groups please state if you require any assistance.

  11. I declare that to the best of my knowledge the above information and that submitted in accompanying document (s) is correct. I understand that any false or misleading information given in this application may render my contract of employment if I am appointed, liable to termination. *

    1. I understand and agree to the above