Member of the Board of the Utrecht Court of Audit

As a member of the Audit Board, you are part of a collegial governing body. We expect you to work with the other members—and in consultation with the staff—to establish the annual plan and the audit program and to make decisions regarding the conduct of the audits. In your role as a member, you will oversee one or more audits, consulting with the project leader and the auditor(s).

The Audit Committee meets once every 4 to 6 weeks on Thursdays, which is also the day on which the City Council and the council committees usually meet.

You are able to represent the Audit Office externally, present the findings of investigations, and defend them if necessary. You enjoy working as part of a team and place great value on maintaining good relations with the City Council, the Mayor and Aldermen, the City Clerk’s Office, and the city administration.

What is the Utrecht Court of Audit?

An independent body of the Municipality of Utrecht with a three-member board: two members and one chairperson (collegial board). Through its investigations, conclusions, and recommendations, the Audit Office supports the City Council’s oversight role and helps strengthen public accountability.

How does the Court of Auditors work?

The Audit Office investigates the administration of the municipality: is it efficient, effective, and lawful? (Section 182 of the Municipalities Act). The Audit Office does so on its own initiative, but sometimes also at the request of the municipal council. The findings, conclusions, and recommendations are also reported to the council. Good communication with the council is therefore a key factor in the success of the Audit Office’s work.

A staff office, headed by the secretary, supports the Court of Auditors (5 to 6 people). The staff members, all of whom are researchers with advanced academic qualifications, conduct the investigations.

Quality is the top priority in conducting the investigation, including a thorough hearing of all parties. The findings can then be published with authority.

In recent years, the Court of Auditors has published reports on:

• a wide range of topics in the social sector;
• major projects (such as the Uithof Line);
• information security;
• the energy transition;
• economic policy.

The Court of Auditors is currently conducting an investigation into housing and resident participation.

Profile of a member of the Court of Auditors

We strive to build a diverse and inclusive team in terms of background, knowledge, and practical expertise. Given the current composition of our team, we are giving preference to a female candidate. We strongly encourage candidates with an immigrant background to apply.

The ideal candidate:

• has an academic level of work and thinking;
• possesses administrative and political-strategic insight;
• has an affinity for local government and for Utrecht;
• can translate research findings into a political and administrative message;
• is pleased to present this message to the council and the executive board;
• has experience with (supervising) policy research;
• has an independent mindset, an analytical approach, and a constructive yet critical attitude;
• is willing to act as a unified body ("collegial governance");
• can be available for an average of half a day per week (on a flexible basis).

Who isn't?

Article 81f of the Municipalities Act lists the positions that are incompatible with membership on a municipal audit committee. These positions include, for example, civil servants of the municipality in question. The municipal council has added the following additional requirements.

A member of the Utrecht Court of Audit:

• has not been a member of the Municipal Executive or the City Council of the Municipality of Utrecht, nor has he or she held any other political office within the Municipality of Utrecht, for the past five years;
• has not worked as a civil servant for the City of Utrecht in the past five years.

No member of the Court of Audit has any business ties to the municipality of Utrecht, other than their membership in the Court of Audit. In the selection process, we do not automatically exclude candidates who work for a research and/or consulting firm. However, we pay close attention to potential conflicts of interest and the candidates’ willingness to find a solution to them.

Reimbursement

A member of the Court of Audit receives a (gross) stipend for their work. This is based on the stipend paid to council members and currently amounts to €870.66 per month. In addition, a member receives a fixed expense allowance, which currently amounts to €73.31 gross per month.

Selection

The selection committee consists of two members and the secretary of the Utrecht Court of Audit, as well as a council member from the Utrecht City Council’s Committee on Personnel Affairs for Council Staff (CPR).

Interviews (first round, second round) are scheduled for Friday, November 11, and Friday, November 18.

Appointment

Members of the Utrecht Audit Committee are appointed by the City Council. The term of office is six years, with the possibility of a one-time reappointment, also for six years. We aim to make the appointment at the City Council meeting on December 1, 2022.

Information

For more information about the Utrecht Court of Audit, visit the websitehttps://www.utrecht.nl/rekenkamer. Orcontact Gerth Molenaar (secretary, tel: 06 – 4975 4300) or Paul Venhoeven (chairman, tel: 06 – 5120 6179).