• External Advertising End DateAdvertising End Date:
    16 Nov 2026
  • All LocationsLocation(s):
    Scottish Prison Service Headquarters - Edinburgh
  • Salary DescriptionPay Band
    F
  • Vacancy TypeVacancy Type:
    Permanent
  • Salary Details:Salary Details:
    £54398 - £58065
  • Hours Per WeekHours Per Week:
    35
  • Working PatternWorking Pattern:
    Normal Office Hours
  • Eligible For Hybrid Working?Eligible For Hybrid Working?
    Yes
  • About The Role

  • An opportunity has arisen for a motivated individual to join the Operational Audit Team based at SPS Headquarters on a permanent basis. The purpose of this role is to assist in the delivery of a high-quality, risk-focused Operational Audit service to provide the Operations Director and Chief Executive with assurance that operational policies and controls are operating effectively, contributing to SPS’s emerging Assurance Framework.

    Located within the Office of the Chief Executive, this post is being created to support the development of SPS’s Operational Audit function and approach to secondary assurance in order to more effectively support the delivery of high-quality prison services.

    Applications are invited from individuals who have excellent interpersonal skills, professional integrity, attention to detail and the ability to communicate complex information clearly and concisely.

    Importantly, this individual will lead the delivery of independent, risk-based audits and inspections to assess compliance with Health & Safety legislation, Fire Safety regulations, internal policies, and operational procedures, identifying areas of risk and recommending corrective actions. This includes evaluating the effectiveness of operational controls and risk mitigation measures, offering advice to senior leaders on these issues and supporting colleagues in the Operations Directorate to drive continuous improvement thereafter.

    The successful candidate will be required to travel between SPS Headquarters and establishments throughout the estate in the course of delivering an operational audit service and occasionally, they may be required to stay away from home. Due to limited public transport, a full UK driving licence is required.

  • For full details about the role, please refer to the Job Description, Person Specification and Selection Information & Timeline.

  • Qualifications

  • The post holder should be educated to a degree level. Essential
    NEBOSH General Certificate and/or NEBOSH Fire Certificate.Essential
  • Knowledge, Skills & Experience

  • A broad range of knowledge related to internal audit, external audit and compliance, with specific experience of leading health and safety and/or fire safety audits. Essential
    Able to collate and analyse complex information into high quality and balanced reports, identifying trends and patterns to facilitate evidence based decision-making. Essential
    Competent in the use of Microsoft Packages, including Excel, Word, Sharepoint etc. Essential
    Excellent communication skills with the ability to convey and summarise complex information both verbally and in writing to a variety of audiences. Essential
  • Essential Competencies for Success

    • Relationships & Collaboration
    • Listen & Communicate
    • Accountability & Initiative
    • Plan & Organise
  • About Us

  • The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) operates in a fascinating, complex and rapidly changing environment. Our vision is to help build a safer Scotland by unlocking potential and transforming lives. To enable us to successfully deliver our vision, we are committed to nurturing and investing in our greatest strength and resource: Our People.

    We are proud to employ a diverse range of people; each contributing their own unique experiences and skills to enhance the service we deliver. Whatever the role, you will find your SPS experience both challenging and rewarding. You will be committed to helping us to achieve our goals and in return we will be committed to helping you to achieve yours.

    We employ approximately 5,000 staff across our prisons, headquarters, college, and training and storage facility. The hard work of our staff is the most critical component in the successful delivery of Scotland’s prison system.

    We need professional, capable and motivated individuals who reflect Scotland’s diversity to deliver effective and efficient activities and services to achieve our Mission and realise our Vision.

    Whatever SPS profession you embark upon, you will be a valued member of the team, helping us build a Safer Scotland for the communities we serve. We are committed to your personal and professional development and offer a wide range of career progression opportunities.

Civil Service Values

All Civil Servants, and therefore anyone employed by the Scottish Prison Service, must be able to fully comply with the requirements of the Civil Service Code. Everyone is expected to carry out their role with dedication and uphold the core values of the Civil Service: Honesty, Integrity, Objectivity and Impartiality.

  • Integrity: putting the obligations of public service above your own personal interests.
  • Honesty: being truthful and open.
  • Objectivity: basing your advice and decisions on rigorous analysis of the evidence.
  • Impartiality: acting solely according to the merits of the case and serving equally well Governments of different political persuasions.

The Civil Service Commission

Our recruitment is conducted in line with the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles and external competitions are regulated by the Civil Service Commission. While the legal requirement to follow these Principles applies specifically to external appointments, the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) recognises these standards as best practice. Accordingly, SPS fully adopts these principles as the foundation for all recruitment activity, including internal recruitment and selection processes.

External competitions: if you believe that the requirement for selection for appointment on merit based on fair and open competition has not been met, you have the right to raise a complaint. Further information on the Commission’s complaints procedure is available at: https://www.civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/.

Internal competitions: if you believe that the requirement for selection for appointment on merit based on fair and open competition has not been met, you can raise a complaint to your HR Business Partner.

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