Reports to: Executive Director, Internal Audit

Organization: Government of Manitoba

Closing Date: July 31, 2021

Governments of all levels are challenged with increasing citizen expectations for what and how services are delivered, rising costs and limited tolerance for tax increases. Citizens want to receive the right services in the right ways at the right costs, getting value for invested tax dollars. The Government of Manitoba has been working for the past few years to undertake a rapid and comprehensive public sector transformation initiative, ensuring critical public services are delivered efficiently and cost effectively, are focused on outcomes transparently reported to citizens and, most importantly, can be sustained for decades to come. Strong financial controls and oversight are the single most important pillar in achieving sustainability and accountable government.

The Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) provides financial and analytical support and strategic management advice to the Minister of Finance and Treasury Board, a sub-committee of Cabinet, responsible for the overall fiscal management and reporting of the Manitoba government and the establishment of policies required for the effective management of public funds to meet government objectives. Treasury Board Secretariat is also responsible for the summary budgeting, public accounts, strategic initiatives, government-wide balanced scorecards and internal audit functions.

TBS is the centre of the public service transformation, providing leadership in the focus on outcomes and the journey to fiscal sustainability. The Internal Audit Division is made up of the Professional Practice Branch and the Operational Audits Branch. Their vision is to be a trusted advisor and partner providing value-added services for government accountability and continuous improvement. The Internal Audit Division is an integral component of Manitoba’s governance processes and aligns with and supports the Deputy Ministers’ Audit and Enterprise Risk Management Committee in the effective discharge of its corporate governance responsibilities. Internal Audit’s responsibility and authority encompasses includes government departments and funded organizations where the funding agreement includes the right to audit, the Legislative Assembly and large crown corporations and universities with their own internal audit functions excluded.

The Operational Audits Branch is accountable for operational, financial, information technology, performance, crossgovernment, governance, and follow-up audits, the results of which may lead to significant government policy, program or financial change. It also supports the research, data analytics and comptrollership audits performed by the Professional Practice Branch.

This a great opportunity for you to apply your knowledge, skills and experience beyond traditional audits. You can be part of a diverse and engaged team that supports the vision to transform and move Manitoba forward. As Manitoba’s public sector continues to transform, by embracing challenges and placing innovation at the center of its work, the Internal Audit Division is transforming too. Our client is looking for strong team members wanting to make a difference and positively shape their future, having a significant impact on the Government of Manitoba governance, risk and control practices.

Our client is seeking strong leaders who are motivated and proactive in their approach, can apply superior critical thinking and proven analytical skills to complex issues and problems, and have an interest in directly influencing and contributing to transformation and improvement throughout all aspects of the operation of government.

The Director, Operational Audits (Director) will ensure the effective and efficient delivery of internal audit services and to foster a culture of positive organizational change and innovation. You will be committed to strong corporate leadership and supporting a public service that embraces challenges and places innovation at the centre of its work to improve outcomes. As a member of the department’s management team, the Director is responsible to lead and manage the Operational Audit Branch and provide advice and support to the Chief Audit Executive. The Director leads the development and implementation of internal audit policies, procedures and strategies and the development and execution of an agile, riskbased internal audit plan. The Director is also responsible for managing contracts and relationships supporting investigative and forensic accounting audits.

The Director, Operational Audits, has direct accountability for 12 FTEs and an audit universe budget of $17000 million.

Key Leadership Accountabilities:

Accountability 1: Planning, Policy Development and Performance Measurement

• In collaboration with senior leadership, establish and implement strategic plans, focused on the Government of Manitoba’s vision and priorities, transformation strategies and the strategic directions of the Treasury Board Secretariat
• Develop and implement a system and process that will identify and monitor trends and changes in audit and public sector audit practices, internal trends, events and issues that may impact the governance, risk and control environment of the Government of Manitoba and the operations of the Internal Audit Division and the Operational Audits Branch
• In alignment with the vision and strategic priorities of TBS, lead the development of short, medium and long-term operational and business plans for the branch incorporating financial and human resource plans
• Maintain a current understanding of the performance measurement framework for all of government and the Treasury Board Secretariat, translate how the Operational Audit Branch supports these goals, objectives and targets, and establish and implement accountability mechanisms, including evaluation, performance measures and reporting to report on the performance of the Branch
• Support the Chief Audit Executive by providing strategic options, comprehensive options, comprehensive policy advice and recommendations using internal and external expertise
• Provide authoritative, full and frank advice directly to senior officials, regarding substantial issues on risk, governance, internal controls and program design
• In collaboration with senior leadership, develop and/or revise policies and procedures for operational audits
• Establish and implement a flexible, efficient process and procedures to develop and present insightful reports required by senior decision-makers to inform decisions.

Accountability 2: Operational and Human Resource Leadership

• Build a respectful workplace a culture that promotes diversity, learning and continuous improvement, ensuring all employees understand how their work contributes to achievement of branch, TBS and government goals and objectives
• Develop a robust risk-based audit plan workplan in conformance with professional and division standards and apply a mix of qualitative and quantitative methodologies in developing audit strategies for a diverse, non-routine and wideranging audit universe of projects, programs, departments and funded organizations with differing risks, audit objectives and audit scopes
• Provide direction to ensure the management of human and financial resources of the branch delivers on operational and strategic mandates and maximizes efficiency
• In collaboration with other TBS leaders, procure the services of external expertise and implement strong contract management practices to ensure objectives, timelines and quality standards are met
• Lead an operational audits function that is independent, objective and free from interference by any element in the organization, including matters of audit selection, scope, procedures, frequency, timing or report content
• Co-ordinate service delivery with government reporting entities and funded organizations, supporting alignment with government objectives, appropriate governance and transparency in reporting outcomes and financial results
• Provide issue resolution and secondary reviews for complex and sensitive internal audits, by exercising professional skepticism, determining the sufficiency and appropriateness of audit evidence and analysis, working papers and issue identification and ensuring audit reports are free from error and support risk-informed decision-making and recommendations support strong governance, risk management and control
• Assign and manage access to audit management software, ensuring information is protected
• Develop, mentor, coach and motivate professional staff, to influence and facilitate positive change in a transformation focused environment
• Working with human resources, lead the implementation of progressive talent practices that ensures high quality staff are recruited and selected, succession is continuously addressed, resources are deployed to meet operational requirements, compensation incents desired behaviours while balancing financial sustainability, performance is enabled and managed, and workplace health and safety is maintained

Accountability 3: Stakeholder Relationships

• Develop and maintain professional relationships to identify issues, priorities and potential solutions with stakeholder groups including multiple levels of government and professional associations (OAG Manitoba, federal, provincial and territorial auditors and professional accounting and auditing bodies)
• Develop and maintain professional relationships to identify risks, issues, priorities and potential solutions with various stakeholder groups (deputy ministers, assistant deputy ministers, executive financial officers and provincial comptroller)

Education, Experience & Competency Requirements:

The Internal Audit Division is at a unique point in its evolution and requires strong leaders who bring a unique combination of knowledge, experience and leadership competencies.

The ideal candidate will bring to this position a Canadian Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CPA-CA, CPA-CGA, CPA-CMA) designation in good standing or an equivalent combination of education, experience and training complemented by significant experience leading and managing people and a proven ability to create, support and sustain a diverse environment that enables staff to achieve results and to develop for the future. The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the ability to leverage opportunities for innovation, creative solutions to issues and successfully manage change.

Candidates will have extensive experience applying Canadian accounting and auditing standards for public sector, not for profit and private organizations, and applying the Institute of Internal Auditors International Professional Practices Framework and International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing. Extensive knowledge of public sector accounting standards and the Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology (COBIT) framework is necessary. Candidates will have an in-depth understanding of and experience in:

• Governance, comptrollership and risk management practices
• The use of current technologies that support the provision of quality and effective internal audit services
• The translation of strategic priorities into clear operational and business plans
• Strategic performance management and measurement systems.
• The design and implementation of policies and programs

Candidates will have a strong results orientation, superior organizational skills, excellent oral, written and presentation skills, and the adaptability and resilience to lead in a complex, changing and fluid environment. The candidate will be a strategic, systems thinker and problem solver with exceptional judgement and will bring strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills.

Candidates who are energetic and enthusiastic, are motivated by innovation and change, are forward thinking, like to challenge the status quo and provide strategic insights will want to explore these opportunities.

Competency Requirements:

Integrity and Resilience

• Keeps the greater good of Manitobans in mind at all times and advances the interests of the public in all policies, processes and practices
• Makes principle-centered decisions, and be ready to “speak truth to power”
• Assumes responsibility, accountability and follows through when making commitments
• Demonstrates sincerity, honesty, respect, empathy and adherence to the standards and principles of the Government of Manitoba and the Treasury Board Secretariat
• Maintains composure and perspective in difficult or volatile situations
• Able to maintain confidential information and use discretion in all interactions

Visionary Leadership

• Is comfortable with change and skilled at change management
• Has broad knowledge and perspectives
• Establishes a shared vision and common goals and creates the environment where the financial system can achieve them
• Adopts a long-term view of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and risks in a changing operational environment
• Clearly articulates a practical vision for the future, a credible case for change/enhancement and influences and inspires others to work as part of a team toward that vision
• Promotes cooperation, collaboration and integration between individuals and groups both within and outside of the TBS Internal Audit Division, ensuring everyone understands each other’s roles, responsibilities and contributions
• Identifies critical issues that will have an impact on the financial condition and/or reputation of the government

Effective Oral, Written & Presentation Skills

• Defines the principles and framework of effective organizational communication
• Actively listens to messages being communicated by stakeholders
• Articulates complex ideas in a clear, understandable way
• Creates and conducts powerful presentations to small and large groups
• Develops well-constructed documents and reports
• Provides sound, credible and thorough information to Treasury Board, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Assistant Deputy Ministers, Executive Financial Officers, the Provincial Comptroller, senior officials and leadership of operating reporting entities
• Effectively facilitates meetings and discussions to assist participants in reaching shared decisions and fostering positive relationships

Excellent Judgment

• Efficiently and effectively perceives and assesses situations
• Understands when decisions require input and when they do not
• Asks the right questions to get the information needed
• Draws sound conclusions and recommends changes in policies and practices as required
• Generates options with an analysis of pros and cons as well as identified impacts
• Identifies the impacts and risks associated with decisions and takes appropriate risks
• Influences decisions that challenge the status quo and provoke growth and positive development in the system
• Takes responsibility for difficult decisions
• Defines decision-making model(s)/principles/criteria for others
• Utilizes objective, factual and valid information from a variety of sources to make informed decisions, understand the potential impacts, and keep all relevant parties informed

Political Acumen

• Understands complex political situations and determines effective strategies to maximize opportunity and minimize risk
• Understands and respects the role of all parties and how they might work together
• Gains and effectively uses knowledge of formal and informal political, social and organizational structures and relationships to achieve positive change

Results Orientation

• Incorporates the needs of all stakeholders when setting standards, strategies and organizational direction
• Sets goals and priorities that maximize the use of resources available to consistently deliver results based on strategic direction and stakeholder expectations
• Driven to meet a high standard of performance
• Monitors progress towards a goal, anticipates problems and makes adjustments when necessary

Financial Acumen

• Understands the financial models of the system and the elements that impact the model and financial performance
• Implements strong budgeting, financial reporting and monitoring processes
• Implements a risk-based approach to financial management and ensures appropriate policies are in place

Team Player

• Works with colleagues in a collaborative fashion, and always able to put the team before self-interests Treasury Board Secretariat and Internal Audit Division

For further information, please contact:

Lillian Wong, Senior Manager, Consulting
204.789.3089 or Applicants@mnp.ca