Trustpower Job Description
Job Title:
Assurance and Compliance Specialist
Reports To:
Manager Group Risk
Direct Reports:
Nil
Indirect Reports:
Nil
Function:
Finance
Position Code:
Level:
Band 8
Location:
Tauranga
Date Reviewed:
July 2014
Purpose Statement
The Assurance and Compliance Specialist is responsible for developing both Trustpower’s assurance
and compliance frameworks and facilitating delivery within them.
With a deep understanding of compliance and assurance good practice, and knowledge of the key
legislative environment within which Trustpower operates, the Assurance and Compliance Specialist,
as part of the Risk and Assurance team:
 Provides management and the Board assurance on Trustpower’s key processes and operations;
 Implements initiatives and maintain practices to minimise compliance risks to appropriate levels;
 Supports and develops Trustpower’s risk management practices.
The role of the Assurance and Compliance Specialist is to:
Assurance
 With the Group Risk Manager develop a group-wide assurance framework based on risk principles,
and then own it;
 Manage the audits undertaken by third parties including the internal audit programme, and the
Electricity Authority (EA), International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and Gas Industry
Company (GIC) audit programmes, to deliver quality reviews and ensure positive relationships
between the auditors and the business are maintained;
 Scope and undertake reviews and audits, as required as part of an overall assurance programme, to
deliver assurance and identify where potential actions are required to deliver company objectives;
 Facilitate the development of appropriate audit responses and then facilitate, monitor and report
on their delivery;
 Monitor and report on the delivery of the audit assurance to Management and through to the
Board.
 Continuously improve and enhance assurance delivery to meet Trustpower’s evolving needs.
Compliance
 With the Group Risk Manager and Legal Advisor, drive the development of a group-wide
compliance framework both for NZ and Australia (and any future jurisdictions where Trustpower
may operate) to minimise risk to the Group in terms of compliance exposure, continually enhancing
it to meet the Group’s needs.
 Manage the development, enhancement and maintenance of specific issue compliance frameworks
including for EA, ISO and GIC compliance and various license obligations, working with the
appropriate areas of the business. This will incorporate reporting and exception management on
Trustpower’s delivery of these obligations;
 Coordinate, educate and mentor departments and facilitate their meeting of obligations to
minimise risk to Trustpower in terms of compliance exposure.
Support the Group Risk Manager
 Assist in development and maintenance of Trustpower’s enterprise risk management function;
 Undertake ad hoc risk analysis assignments as required;
 Drive the development of risk analysis of business processes working with Business Solutions Team
as an input into business continuity management (BCM)and assist with delivery of business
continuity solutions;
 Support and back up back office / middle office functions as required.
Key Accountabilities
The Compliance and Assurance Specialist will:
Financial Performance
1) Ensure exposure to reputational damage, market fines and other sanctions is minimised through
appropriate management activity and timely and accurate breach management.
2) Ensure assurance expenditure costs are well managed
Assurance and Compliance
1) Development of an overarching compliance framework for the Group in conjunction with Manager
Group Risk and Group Legal Advisor.
2) Minimisation of compliance risks to Trustpower by proactively working with operational functions
to manage general and specific issue compliance.
3) Maintain Trustpower’s retail ISO framework and facilitate appropriate delivery.
4) Drive the development of an overarching assurance framework for the Group in conjunction with
Manager Group Risk.
5) Develop and co-ordinate audit / assurance programmes across the Group.
6) Manage the development and delivery of quality audits undertaken by third parties.
7) Scope and undertake reviews and audits to support the delivery of assurance.
8) Facilitate the development and delivery of response to audit findings working with the business
units and then monitor and report on the delivery of those findings, proactively facilitating
solutions where issues arise.
9) Identify changes to industry rules and regulations or internal changes that may impact
Trustpower’s compliance or assurance frameworks and take action/make recommendations as
appropriate. Liaison with Regulatory Governance Group.
10) Support business impact analysis and develop suitable business continuity responses.
11) Support Trustpower's Enterprise Risk Management process in identifying, evaluating and analysing
risk and then developing/undertaking suitable actions. Undertaking one off risk analysis
assignments as required.
Teamwork/Leadership
1) Effective relationships are built with staff at all levels throughout Trustpower.
2) Manage and influence key internal parties to ensure delivery of compliance and/or assurance
objectives.
3) Liaise between business units and external parties and ensuring good relations are maintained.
4) Provide support and input to deliver Risk Management, BCM and Back Office / Middle Office
objectives.
5) Contribute constructively and positively to Trustpower’s goals and objectives
6) Adhere to Group policies including health and safety and report any risks or issues to
Management.
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
Success Criterion
Financial and
Numerical Literacy
Leadership
Technical skills
Description
High level of analytical skills including the ability to interrogate data to inform
decisions.
High performance work ethic and leadership of self and others.
Auditing / assurance experience
Quality / ISO knowledge.
Compliance management experience including general knowledge of
compliance obligations and obligations specific to Trustpower would be useful.
Understanding of customer lifecycle and associated processes, data and system
requirements relevant to mass market retailer desirable.
Risk management knowledge
BCM knowledge desirable
Intermediate to advanced computer literacy
Delivery Excellence
Providing superb customer service to internal stakeholders.
Self-Management
Ability to develop clear, actionable steps to assist in the delivery of strategy –
planning, organisation and analysis.
Emotional
Intelligence
High degree of emotional intelligence.
Advanced interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
Able to provide insights in a way which contributes to solutions being found
and long term relationships maintained.
Advanced relationship building skills.
Ability to stand one’s ground and be comfortable making ‘tough’ possibly
unpopular calls.
Learning Agility
Must be able to learn, understand and apply new technologies and concepts.
Other
Relevant Degree or equivalent experience
Minimum of 5 years in similar role
Project management skills
Able to work to deadlines and multi-task
Strong alignment with Trustpower’s Values and culture
Working Relationships
Internal
Senior Leadership Team
Business Solutions Manager and team
Regulatory Coordination Group / Legal Advisor
Wholesale Supply and Reconciliation Manager and team
Metering & Field Service Manager and team
GM Commercial Operations and team
External
Electricity Authority, GIC and Industry Working Groups
Various external auditors (Electricity Authority, ISO, Ernst Young)
Authorities
As per Delegated Authorities Policy