Senior Audit Officer

The Senior Audit Officer is responsible for leading the development and delivery of a risk-based Internal Audit Plan.

This includes engaging with senior stakeholders across the department and its entities, undertaking the end-to-end internal audits, preparing reports and briefs as required, assisting with managing contracts and the relationship with the co-source and ad-hoc internal audit service providers and managing the internal audit budget in line with departmental policies. Additionally, the role may involve other related tasks such as providing secretariate support to ARC, following up on open audit actions, maintenance of audit tools and assisting with the Division's broader activities as required.

About the Department

The role of the Department of Education is to support Victorians to build prosperous, socially engaged, happy and healthy lives. It does this by supporting lifelong learning and healthy development, strengthening families and helping to equip people with the skills and knowledge for a 21st century economy and society.  The department supports a culture of leadership, learning and renewal in all workplaces with opportunities for career development and advancement.

About the Division

The Assurance, Knowledge, and Executive Services Division (AKESD) has three branches (Assurance; Executive and Ministerial Services; Knowledge, Privacy and Records) and is responsible for following functions:

• Internal audit planning and delivery, School Council Financial Assurance program and follow-up of audit action implementation Supporting the Victorian Auditor-General's Office (VAGO) performance audits and the Audit and Risk Committee (ARC)
• Cabinet and Parliament support, including board appointments.
• Freedom of Information
• briefings and correspondence support
• Departmental Liaison Unit
• privacy advice and support
• records and digital content management, SharePoint and copyright advice and support
• Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC) co-ordination and support
• mail services.

About the Role

The role is responsible for:

• leading the internal audit planning process and developing a risk-based Internal Audit Plan
• undertaking the end-to-end internal audits, for corporate functions early learning victoria centres, and schools either as part of the Internal Audit Plan (IA Plan) or in response to ad hoc requests
• preparing reports and briefings for ARC, Executive Board and departmental entities or other stakeholders as required
• assisting with managing the contract and relationship with the co-source and ad-hoc internal audit service providers
• assisting with audit and risk-related business/process improvement initiatives and contributing to the provision of advice and assurance support to management on matters of governance, compliance, controls and risk management
• working closely with departmental business areas responsible for financial and operational activities, other auditors and VAGO financial auditors
• travelling across the State of Victoria from time to time as part of delivering the audits
• training, mentoring and supporting team-members where required, manage and work collaboratively with external providers or co-sourced assurance engagement
• building strong relationships with business areas as a trusted advisor
• managing the internal audit budget and mantaining relevant supporting documentation in line with departmental policies.

This role may also be required to undertake other related tasks such as providing Secretariate support to ARC, following up on open audit actions, maintenance of audit tools and assisting with the Division's broader activities as required.
 
Capabilities

• The ideal candidate guides others through the strategic planning process, creating a shared vision for the future.
• They think at the whole of system/organisational level, undertake internal and external scanning, consider wide-ranging possibilities in determining impact and possible.
• They actively build and maintain professional relationships with senior department stakeholders, statutory authorities and external contacts to promote and support effective risk management, governance and business continuity.
• They excel in finding innovative solutions for stakeholder issues and identifying underlying needs.
• They build mutually beneficial partnerships b y addressing common issues and understanding organisational contexts.
• They clarify problems, negotiate actions, and manage risks effectively.
• Analysing issues from various perspectives, they propose and implement workable solutions, adjusting as needed.
• They communicate clearly and fluently, both orally and in writing, ensuring all communications are well-structured and purposeful.
• Comfortable with complexity, they generate creative ideas, reason through problems using analytical and conceptual skills, and translate ideas into workplace improvements.
• They highlight practical considerations, identify information gaps, look for logical sequences, and observe fine details.
• Theystay calm under pressure, are decisive and support a culture of collaboration.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

The candidate is expected to:

• engage with senior stakeholders and drive the development of the annual Internal Audit Plan (IAP).
• have ability to conduct thorough research for audit planning
• have knowledge of government legislation, policies, and procedures related to internal audit and awareness of current and emerging risks to help develop the IAP.

• manage the full internal audit process for audit projects from planning to reporting.
• demonstrate a strong understanding of internal controls and their application in review of business processes.

• have knowledge of IIA Standards, COSO, and ISO31000 risk management practices, and can assess the effectiveness of controls, risks, and governance.

• have familiarity of risk and assurance tools, including data analytics and control self-assessment
• prepare high quality reports, briefs and related materials for various committees and stakeholders as required

Mandatory Qualifications

• Essential : Bachelor's degree in related discipline.
• Essential : CA / CPA / CIA designation or a desire to work towards this accreditation

Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description.

The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au.

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Doreen Gurira - Assistant Director via *************@education.vic.gov.au

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.

Applications close 11:59pm on Friday 21 August 2026.