The organisation:
The Uniting Church in Australia (the Church) is a large uniquely Australian Christian denomination in Australia with heritage from historical reformed evangelical denominations. In Queensland, the Uniting Church has around 250 congregations and has early childhood, schools, colleges and large community services (such as UnitingCare Queensland and Wesley Mission Queensland).
The Uniting Church is multicultural, committed to reconciliation with First Peoples, calls for reconciliation across its communities and aims to use its people and property resources wisely and in the furtherance of God’s mission in the world.
Position purpose:
The Synod Office runs a centralised second-line Risk Department. The Department provides advice and assistance to front-line risk managers and undertakes second-line control testing and assurance activities to provide Synod executives and governing bodies with comfort regarding the management of risk.
Synod entities manage key risks including related to cybersecurity, governance, safeguarding, investments and workplace, health and safety. Synod Office operates business lines including early learning services, property development projects, conference and accommodation facilities and higher education facilities as well as worship activities through its congregations and presbyteries.
The purpose of the role is to provide expert risk advice and assistance to Synod functions, develop, enhance and implement enterprise risk management frameworks and frameworks for the management of particular risks (e.g contract management, procurement and cybersecurity risk), support risk capability building across the Synod, review control effectiveness and develop and implement an assurance program regarding the management of key risks. The role reports to the General Manager Risk and Assurance
The Risk and Assurance Specialist will also provide expertise regarding the standardisation of risk data, integrations of data sets across the Synod, analysis of data and reporting of risk data to assist decision-making across all levels of the Synod.
The Risk and Assurance Specialist will also have provide expertise regarding the development of reporting frameworks for key risks including developing lead and lag indicators, key risk indicators and other metrics tried to benchmarks or appropriate baselines, to support executive decision-making
The Risk and Assurance Specialist will collaborate closely with management, staff, and stakeholders across Synod Office, congregations, presbyteries and other worksites to ensure risks are identified, assessed, and managed in alignment with the Synod’s mission, regulatory obligations, and best practice standards.
Key responsibilities:
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Provide expert advice on the identification, assessment, and management of enterprise, strategic, operational, compliance, and WHS risks, ensuring alignment with the Synod’s risk appetite and objectives.
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Support the ongoing development, implementation, and review of the Synod’s Risk Management Framework, policies, and procedures.
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Facilitate risk workshops, training, and awareness programs to build risk capability and culture across the organization.
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Conduct assurance activities, including quality reviews, compliance, control testing and second-line audits to monitor the effectiveness of risk controls and recommend improvements.
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Prepare clear, concise reports and presentations for senior management, committees, and governance bodies on risk and assurance matters.
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Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, standards, and best practices, particularly in relation to WHS and workplace risk exposures.
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Foster strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including auditors, consultants, and regulatory bodies.
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Champion the principles of the 3 Lines of Defence, ensuring clarity of roles and responsibilities and supporting the organization’s second line risk oversight function.
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Contribute to business continuity planning and incident response processes as required.
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Uphold the values and ethical standards of the Uniting Church in all activities.
Measuring Success in the Risk and Assurance Specialist Role
The Chief Risk Officer (CRO), guided by the GM Risk & Insurance, will assess the effectiveness and impact of the Risk and Assurance Specialist using the following criteria:
1. Implementation of Risk Frameworks and Policies
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Evidence that the Synod’s risk management framework, policies, and procedures are effectively embedded and maintained across the organization.
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Timely updates and improvements to risk documentation in response to emerging risks, regulatory changes, or audit findings.
2. Quality and Impact of Advice
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Quality, clarity, and timeliness of risk and assurance advice provided to management and staff.
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Positive feedback from stakeholders regarding the usefulness and practicality of guidance and training delivered.
3. Assurance Activities and Compliance
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Completion of planned assurance activities (e.g., risk reviews, compliance checks, control testing, assurance activities) within agreed timeframes.
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Demonstrated improvements in risk controls and compliance rates as a result of assurance activities.
4. Risk Culture and Capability Building
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Increased risk awareness and capability among staff, as evidenced by participation in workshops, training sessions, and improved risk reporting.
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Observable improvements in risk culture, such as proactive risk identification and open communication about risk issues.
5. Reporting and Communication
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High-quality, insightful risk reports and presentations delivered to the SLT, committees, and governance bodies.
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Ability to clearly communicate complex risk concepts and recommendations in plain language.
6. Alignment with 3 Lines of Defense Model
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Clear demonstration of the second line of defense role, supporting management (first line) and providing independent oversight without duplicating operational responsibilities.
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Effective collaboration with both first and third lines (internal/external audit).
7. Contribution to WHS and Workplace Risk Management
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Evidence of proactive identification and management of WHS and workplace-related risks.
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Support for incident response and business continuity planning.
- and involvement in strategic projects, indicating trust and reliance on their expertise.
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Participating in regular performance reviews and development discussions with the CRO and the GM Risk & Insurance, where progress against targets is discussed and documented
- Monitoring feedback from training sessions, workshops, and stakeholder interactions to ensure advice is practical and valued.
Key performance indicators:
- Development of assurance plans by agreed time that are fit for purpose, align with best practice, cover all key Synod risks and have well thought out and appropriate assurance activities.
- Completion of risk activities and assurance activities within required timeframe to a high standard and provision of high-quality reports to stakeholders.
- Positive feedback from key stakeholders regarding stakeholder interactions and manner of engagement; absence of material negative feedback.
- Provision of timely and inciteful reporting and data as required by governing bodies and executives
- Development of agreed risk frameworks within agreed timeframe to agreed quality standard that demonstrates understanding of the Synod and its risk maturity.
- Consistent provision of technically accurate, commercially astute, practical and timely risk advice delivered in a customer-focused manner.
- Comply with delegations of the Office of the Synod where delegations have been permanently or temporarily assigned to the position.
- Maintain alignment with the Office of the Synod purpose, culture and values (values referenced under additional requirements).
Reporting Lines
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Reports to: General Manager, Risk & Insurance (Direct Manager)
Delegation level: As outlined in The Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod delegations.
Selection criteria:
Qualifications & Experience
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Tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g., Risk Management, Audit, Commerce, Business) or equivalent experience.
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Demonstrated experience (typically 5+ years) in risk management, assurance, or a related field, preferably within complex organisations.
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Strong understanding of enterprise, strategy, operational, compliance, and WHS risk concepts.
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Knowledge of the 3 Lines of Defense model and its application in organizational risk management.
Skills & Attributes
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Excellent technical risk advisory, control testing and audit skills
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
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Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex risk concepts in plain language.
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Excellent interpersonal, customer service and relationship building skills
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High level of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct.
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Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and manage competing deadlines.
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Collaborative approach with strong relationship-building and influencing skills.
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Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Additional Information
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Current Driver’s license.
- Some out-of-hours work and travel may be required.
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All staff are expected to contribute positively to the Synod’s culture of safety, inclusion, and ethical conduct.
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The successful applicant will be required to undergo relevant background checks (e.g., Working with Children Check/Blue Card).
Synod Office is seeking a highly relational and experienced professional with second-line assurance and/or internal audit experience to join the Synod Office’s risk department.
The purpose of the role is to:
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Provide expert second line risk advice and assistance to support Synod’s business lines and Church Bodies
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Develop, enhance and implement enterprise risk management frameworks and specialised risk management framework (eg. Contract management, procurement, WHS, cybersecurity)
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Develop and implement an assurance program that may consist of second line control testing, quality assurance and compliance checks and audits
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Provide expertise regarding the standardisation of risk data, integrations of data sets across the Synod, analysis of data and reporting of risk data to assist decision-making across all levels of the Synod.
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Provide expertise regarding the development of reporting frameworks for key risks including developing lead and lag indicators, key risk indicators and other metrics tried to benchmarks or appropriate baselines, to support executive decision-making
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Contribute to business continuity planning and incident response processes as required.
The successful candidate will have formal qualifications in Risk Management, Audit or Commerce and have at least 5 years’ experience in second line risk advisory or internal audit roles. Experience providing risk advice and developing assurance frameworks related to - governance risks in complex faith based organisations, WHS risks for Church Bodies, cybersecurity risks, financial and investment risks and property development risks is highly desirable.
Experience advising faith-based organisations and with early learning, property development and construction, conference and accommodation services, higher education, technology and finance business lines will be highly regarded.
Please apply with your resume and covering letter.
