JOB TITLE: Advisor, Research, Administrative Services and Special Projects
DEPARTMENT: Office of the CAO
POSTING NUMBER: 106442
NUMBER OF POSITIONS: 1
JOB STATUS & DURATION: Full Time Permanent
HOURS OF WORK: 35
LOCATION: Hybrid Model*– when working onsite, you will report to the location of City Hall, West Tower
SALARY GRADE: 6
HIRING SALARY RANGE: $97,593 - $109,792 per annum
MAXIMUM OF SALARY RANGE: $121,991 per annum

JOB TYPE: Management and Administration
POSTING DATE: November 15, 2024
CLOSING DATE: November 29, 2024

AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY:
Reporting to the Director of Internal Audit, this position provides expertise in research and report writing, administrative support, customer service, and project management, relating to highly sensitive matters to maintain a smooth and efficient operation of the Internal Audit function in a fast-paced environment. The incumbent will maintain confidentiality based on the requirement to access, review, and distribute sensitive divisional and organizational communication, materials and records. This will include being responsible for leading a project from its inception to execution, including developing and managing key business initiatives. This is accomplished by translating divisional and corporate initiatives into project plans; continuous and effective research; creating, leading and supporting project teams; collaborating with stakeholders; reporting to committees and preparing recommendations for the Director, Internal Audit. Liaising with all City of Brampton staff and City Councilors / Audit Committee members, this position requires excellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills, attention to details, customer service, political acumen, sound judgment, and independence to meet corporate service standards, best practices, policies, and guidelines.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
As part of the Internal Audit team, this role will be accountable to:

o Draft research report benchmarking audit practices and staff reports to the Audit Committee on various internal audit initiatives.
o Anticipate and identify emerging issues and challenges to enable informed decision-making.
o Identify and execute actions to ensure projects achieve the corporate objectives.
o Proactively research key priorities to ensure project initiatives gain stakeholder support and commitment.

o Identify and facilitate resolution of issues related to project development, progress and implementation. Analyze and present the status to the Internal Audit Director and project teams.
o Identify, build, and foster internal and external relationships for project implementation and success outcomes. Provide consultative support to corporate committees and lead cross-functional corporate work teams for shared corporate initiatives.
o Provide strategic support, critical analysis, guidance and advice to the leadership team.
o Troubleshoot matters of importance to the Director (and the Internal Audit Team) and provide solutions and recommendations while exercising judgment that is politically sensitive and confidential in nature.
o Represent and promote the Internal Audit Division.

1. RESEARCH, COMMUNICATION, REPORT WRITING

• Conduct in-depth policy development research and benchmark exercises on audit practices and special projects. Draft high-quality reports/briefing notes as needed.
• Monitor and draft Internal Audit’s KPIs and Service Plans/Service Cards.
• Draft the annual and quarterly update reports on activities related to the Management Action Plans, the Ethics Hotline, Audit Work Plans, and other Internal Audit activities.
• Lead and coordinate post-engagement surveys and related follow-up activities.
• With the Director, prepare the Office of Internal Audit Year-End Report, quarterly MAP, Ethics Hotline reports, and Audit Plan Updates for Audit Committee.
• Manage all special projects: Internal Audit Procedures Manual, Audit Committee Reference Manual, and Director’s presentations with the support and guidance from the Senior Advisor, Audit Communications.

2. LIAISE AND PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETINGS

• Liaise with necessary parties to ensure the smooth scheduling and operations of the Quarterly Audit Committee meetings.
• Review, prepare, and distribute sensitive communication, materials and records.
• Review and eScribe all reports intended for the Audit Committee meetings.
• Monitor Committee meetings and City Council meetings to track and address requests/follow-up items relating to audit reports issued by or intended for the Internal Audit.
• Coordinate the preparation of Audit Committee presentation materials.

3. OPERATION SUPPORT

• Ensure divisional compliance with City policies and directives.
• Monitor allegations received through the City’s Ethics Hotline and coordinate and document responses while maintaining confidentiality.
• Oversee the Management Action Plans (MAP) quarterly, including all correspondence and follow-up. This includes communication with all City departments and business units on recommendation implementation status, reviewing updates, identifying opportunities for earlier completion, requesting/reviewing supporting documents when needed and managing client relationships.
• Track and maintain divisional electronic and physical assets.
• Act as the division’s expert RFP writer for all consulting needs, including external audit, investigations, and other consulting projects.
• Coordinate responses to FOI (Freedom of Information) requests.
• Lead/coordinate all logistics surrounding mandatory peer reviews, including procuring consultants, receiving, sending off, and responding to inquiries from peer review teams.• Work with the Senior Advisor, Audit Communications to monitor and regularly update Internal Audit web page with relevant information.
• Act as a reference point for audit staff, providing them with administrative support and assistance to meet operational needs.
• Assist with hiring, onboarding, and off-boarding staff.
• Coordinate the maintenance of the division’s performance metrics.
• Communicate all organizational notices and engagement deadlines to staff.
• Provide organized and proactive administrative assistance in support of departmental initiatives, programs, processes, projects, and events, including correspondence, documentation, and answering enquiries to meet operational needs and corporate service standards.
• Handle conference registration and related travel arrangements and accommodation.
• Work with the Senior Advisor, Audit Communications to update the Internal Audit SharePoint team site, ensuring standards are followed and all materials are saved correctly and can be easily accessed.

4. LEAD /SUPPORT PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

• Provide project management expertise to support and recommend solutions and changes in ways to meet key corporate and divisional strategies.
o Design and develop the overall project delivery strategy, including the creation and execution of project plans and risk management by monitoring relevant risk factors that impact project direction and progression.
o Lead and manage all aspects of the assigned project’s performance full life cycle from inception and business case to deployment and post-implementation review to meet project management methodology and corporate service standards.
o Develop project outlines, descriptions and implementation plans to support departmental initiatives.
• Provide project support to project leads and project sponsors to ensure corporate and divisional effectiveness is achieved.
• Research best practices and develop project plans for identified projects to ensure milestones and targets are achieved.
• Effectively apply project management principles and implement project strategies by researching, analysing, and evaluating existing methods, procedures, and protocols to ensure project scope is achieved.
• Develop and create strategic relationships and keep abreast of issues that may impact the corporate initiatives.

5. CUSTOMER SERVICE
• Prioritize requests and direct calls and enquiries to the appropriate level for resolution.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

6. CORPORATE CONTRIBUTION

• Using internal and external resources, gain insight of current programs and processes to support operational needs.
• Coordinate and lead Internal Audit outreach and awareness initiatives.
• Coordinate Internal Audit’s community initiatives/engagement activities.

7. BUDGET SUPPORT
• Establish and recommend budget requirements based on operational activities to ensure effective resource and expense management at all times.
• Prepare regular divisional Operating and Capital Budget vs. Actual Variance reports.
• Conduct regular budget vs actual time reporting and follow-up as required.
• Ensure the efficient flow of divisional invoices and cheque requisitions, bi-weekly payroll, monthly divisional meals and mileage, and monthly P-card reconciliation. Ensure compliance with City policies and guidelines.
• Facilitate annual Operating and Capital Budget request submission

8. TEAMWORK AND COOPERATION
• Assist with special projects as required.
• Demonstrate corporate values at all times.
• Participate as a member of cross-functional team.
• Provide support/backup on consulting and audit engagements when required.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

EDUCATION:
• University degree in Writing, Business Administration, Public Administration, Social Sciences, or equivalent

EXPERIENCE:
• 3 years in reporting writing, in an advisory, or project-based environment preferred
• Proven Project management experience preferred
• At least 2 years supervisory experience preferred

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:

OTHER SKILLS AND ASSETS:

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, are required. Ability to organize and convey concepts in a clear and concise manner.
• Excellent initiative, problem-solving skills, and ability to work independently.
• In-depth knowledge of and background in conducting research and report writing.
• Strong Organizational skills; Detail oriented, well-organized and able to prioritize complex tasks and meet critical deadlines.
• Strong Customer Service and People Management skills; Interface with internal and external stakeholders and problem resolution to meet corporate service standards.
• Comprehensive expertise in Microsoft Suite.
• Demonstrated political sensitivity and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Practical knowledge of Municipal, Regional, Provincial and Federal Governments and applicable Legislation is an asset.
• PMP (Project Management Professional) is an asset.

LI-GM

**Various tests and/or exams may be administered as part of the selection criteria.

Interview: Our recruitment process may be completed with video conference technology.

Applicants who do not meet the educational requirements but have direct related experience may be considered.

As part of the corporation’s Modernizing Job Evaluation project, this position will undergo an evaluation which may result in a change to the rate of compensation. Any changes affecting this position will be communicated as information becomes available. *Our Hybrid Model is subject to change.

If this opportunity matches your interest and experience, please apply online by clicking the button quoting reference 106442 by November 29, 2024 and complete the attached questionnaire. We thank all applicants; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. The successful candidate(s) will be required, as a condition of employment, to execute a written employment agreement. A criminal record search will be required of the successful candidate to verify the absence of a criminal record for which a pardon has not been granted.

As part of the application process, applicants will be invited to complete a self-identification survey. The survey is voluntary. Participation in the survey will have no impact on hiring decisions. Should you wish to opt out of completing the survey, please select “prefer not to answer” as a response to each question. All information collected is confidential and will not be shared with the hiring manager. The surveys will be anonymized and will be kept separate from applicant or employee files, such that the individuals who completed the surveys will not be identifiable. The results of the survey will assist in the analysis of disaggregated metrics for organizational planning purposes and our commitment to advance and foster diversity, equity, and inclusion. The City may use anonymized data to produce aggregate reports for internal or external use.

Please be advised, the City of Brampton uses email to communicate with their applicants for open job competitions. It is the applicant’s responsibility to include an updated email address that is checked daily and accepts emails from unknown users. As we send time sensitive correspondence via email (i.e. testing bookings, interview dates), it is imperative that applicants check their email regularly. If we do not hear back from applicants, we will assume that you are no longer interested in the Job Competition and your application will be removed from the Competition.

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