About the role

Waimate District Council is seeking expressions of interest for a suitably skilled and experienced governance expert to provide strategic leadership to our Audit and Risk Committee.

You will chair the committee of elected members with accountability for overseeing the organisation's:

• Internal and external audit and assurance;
• Risk management;
• Internal control;
• Health and safety; and
• Financial and performance management practices, frameworks and processes.

You will play a vital role in providing objective advice and recommendations to the Council on the adequacy and functioning of the Council's risk management, audit framework and external reporting, supporting the Council's prudent management of community assets and finances.

Working closely with the Mayor and Councillors, the Chief Executive, the Leadership Team and staff, you will bring your risk and financial acumen skills together with your broad governance knowledge and local government experience to support and guide the Audit and Risk Committee.

Skills/competencies sought

• Broad governance, assurance, and risk management background;
• An understanding of all things finance, including reporting obligations;
• Experience with health and safety requirements;
• Legal expertise;
• An understanding of internal controls and assurance frameworks, including understanding the roles of internal and external audit; and
• Knowledge of the local government sector.

Commitment requirement:

The preferred term of appointment is four years.

The meeting frequency is quarterly, usually 2 to 3 hours duration with additional time required to review agendas, prepare a post-meeting summary for Council and to attend ad-hoc meetings with Council and/or our external auditors as required.

This role is a contract for services, with remuneration terms to be negotiated with the successful party, based on the skills and expertise they bring to the role.

Please see these links for the following information:

Please see the attached document for Person Specification: Independent Chair of Audit and Risk Committee, and Terms of Reference: Waimate District Council Audit and Risk Committee

About Waimate District Council

The Waimate District is home to over 8,850 people, with a large primary industry sector contributing to the annual district GDP of approximately $607.5m.

Waimate District Council manages $530.7m worth of assets on behalf of its communities and provides a large array of services to its residents.

Waimate is a great place to live and visit, with affordable housing, fantastic schools, and the natural beauty of Aoraki/Mt Cook, the Waitaki Lakes, and the ocean just a stone's throw away. Centrally located between Dunedin and Christchurch, Waimate offers the best of both worlds: vibrant community life and access to stunning landscapes.

Expressions of interest close on 16 MAY 2025

Please direct expressions of interest and any queries to Tina Stevenson, Corporate Services Group Manager at tina.stevenson@waimatedc.govt.nz