We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.
About the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales (Wales Office):
Why work at the Wales Office? The exposure to Ministers is second to none in Whitehall, so this role is ideal for someone who wants to hone their policy experience and skills and who is not daunted by working with senior officials or Ministers. Being the smallest UK Government department, we pride ourselves on our success of covering multiple and wide-ranging policy portfolios.
The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales is the face of the UK Government in Wales and the voice of Wales in Westminster. We support the Secretary of State for Wales (SoS) and his Ministerial team in representing Wales at the heart of Government. We work in partnership with UK Government Departments and other stakeholders to deliver a stronger Wales within a strong United Kingdom.
Our departmental values are Commitment, Collaboration and Quality. These shape how we operate in a challenging, demanding and fast paced environment which requires flexibility, transparency and professionalism.
The Wales Office has two sites, one in Cardiff and one in Whitehall. The successful candidate can be based at either location, but travel between sites and elsewhere may be required, subject to UK Government coronavirus guidance, in order to build relations with policy colleagues and stakeholders and ensure a unified and effective department.
Key Responsibilities:
The Policy Team supports ministers and senior officials to ensure that Wales' interests are fully represented in UK Government policy-making and implementation and works to promote a wider understanding of UK Government policies in Wales.
The successful candidate will join the energy and transport team as the policy lead for transport at a crucial time for Wales. As we are a small team, there will be a need and opportunity to work across the whole energy and transport portfolio as required. The UK Government is committed to driving economic growth across the UK, reaching net-zero, levelling-up and strengthening the Union. Transport and energy policies play an important role across all four policy agendas – and more. As part of the Energy and Transport Team, you will have the opportunity to work with colleagues across Government on road, rail, aviation, and maritime, as well as supporting work on nuclear and renewable energy and industrial decarbonisation.
In any given week, you could find yourself:
- Working with policy colleagues internally and across the UK Government to raise awareness of the SoS’s or Parliamentary Under Secretary of State’s (PUSS) transport and energy priorities and to ensure that commitments to Wales are progressed and delivered.
- Briefing the SoS or PUSS in advance of important meetings with external stakeholders.
- Considering the implications for Wales of proposed UK Government policy initiatives or legislation (‘write rounds’).
- Meeting with the Welsh Government and external stakeholders to establish working relationships and to understand a broad range of views on emerging Welsh transport and energy proposals.
- Replying to written correspondence from Parliamentarians, external groups or members of the public and supporting the SoS/PUSS to prepare for Parliamentary engagements, such as Welsh Affairs Committee appearances and Welsh Oral Question sessions in the House of Commons.
The work will be fast-paced and varied, providing a unique opportunity to work on salient policy areas right at the centre of the UK Government.
Person Specification:
As the Wales Office is not a direct policy delivery department, we rely on our ability to influence to deliver Ministerial priorities. You will need to quickly establish and maintain relationships with stakeholders both within Whitehall and outside. You will also need to be prepared to challenge and stand your ground or push back when under pressure as you deliver Secretary of State’s priorities. You will need to work at pace to challenging deadlines with an ability to draw together different sources of information and make sense of it for busy Ministers.
There will be a need for an excellent political antenna and so you will be proficient in keeping abreast of the latest developments in Wales and the rest of the UK. You will need to show leadership not only in the way you drive forward progress on your particular area of expertise, but also to members of the team.
You will be an experienced policy official and effective at briefing others. You will be well organised and able to deliver at pace. You will be capable of learning new policy areas quickly and have well-honed interpersonal skills to establish rapport with stakeholders quickly and have the confidence to provide challenge to colleagues where appropriate.
The Wales Office is proud to be an accredited Smarter Working organisation and our people at the heart of everything we do. The outcomes you deliver mean more than your base location, so, you’ll be able to work with considerable flexibility from either of our two sites. (UK Government Hub in the centre of Cardiff, or, our office in Whitehall, London)
We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace,
visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity
Recruitment Process:
This vacancy will use the Success Profiles Framework and you will therefore be expected to demonstrate the following elements at the various stages of the selection process.
In the Statement of Suitability section of the application form, please demonstrate evidence of the following essential criteria:
- Given the need to cover multiple policy portfolios you will need to show experience of working in an environment where a multi-tasking approach and the need for prioritisation has been required.
- Demonstrable experience of giving effective policy advice to Senior Officials or Ministers through both oral and written briefing and correspondence.
- Clear evidence of experience of working in a time pressured environment.
- Experience of working collaboratively with stakeholders to progress priorities.
- Excellent written and oral business communication skills
And the following non-essential criteria, if applicable:
- Experience and knowledge of the transport sector.
- Oral and written Welsh language skills.
In the Behaviours section of the application form you will need to provide specific examples to demonstrate competence at the HEO level for the following three areas:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Seeing the Big Picture
All behaviours will be reassessed at interview. Shortlisted candidates will also be asked to give a short presentation at interview.
Strengths may also be assessed at interview but these are not shared in advance.
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