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:
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 and his Ministerial team in representing Wales at the heart of Government. We work in partnership with other Government Departments and other stakeholders to deliver a stronger Wales within a strong and prosperous United Kingdom.
This is an exciting time to be involved in devolution-related matters. Following the EU referendum, strengthening the union of the United Kingdom is more of a priority than ever to this Government and the need for Whitehall departments to understand how to work with the devolved administrations in the context of legislative change has never been greater.
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.
About the team:
The team operates across a wide range of reserved and devolved policy areas, working to identify opportunities to benefit Wales within emerging UK Government policy and acting to identify issues and resolve misunderstandings. This influence-strong brief requires a flexible approach to engagement and an excellent understanding of the bigger picture.
The Domestic Affairs Team combines its work to progress longer-term, strategic objectives with an agile and responsive role in the department. Team members will frequently be called upon to provide briefing for Ministers or senior officials and provide understanding and insight on the impact of current events on their policy areas.
The team consists of a policy base of a Senior Executive Officer, a Higher Executive Officer and an Executive Officer.
Description:
The Policy Officer for Domestic Affairs will support the team leading on a number of priority areas in the Wales Office including Policing and Home Affairs, Environment and Rural Affairs, Sport, Culture and the Welsh Language.
Purpose of the Role:
The role is a core position within the Domestic Affairs team. The post holder will play a key role in supporting the team to progress the Secretary of State’s priorities and will build effective relationships across Whitehall to deliver the wider UK Government Levelling Up and Union agendas.
Key responsibilities:
The team undertakes strategic policy work, working with other parts of Government and a wider range of stakeholders, to support the Office in delivering on the Secretary of State’s priorities.
The role will involve:
- Providing high quality advice and written briefing to the Secretary of State and Ministers on matters relating to areas of Domestic Affairs.
- Drafting responses to official and Ministerial level correspondence on a range of issues in line with internal procedures and deadlines.
- Researching key information to support Ministers and Senior Officials.
- Working with Other Government Departments across Whitehall, the Welsh Government, and wider external stakeholders in Wales to ensure that Welsh interests are fully reflected in UK Government policy.
- Developing and maintaining effective relationships with internal teams including Private Office and Correspondence Team, working with them to effectively manage expectations and resolve issues where they arise to ensure consistent delivery.
The job description is not intended to be exhaustive and it is likely that duties may be altered from time to time in the light of changing circumstances and after consultation with the postholder.
Recruitment Process:
This campaign 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:
Person Specification
In the statement of suitability you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of the following criteria:
- Ability to plan and manage your workload, adapting quickly to changing circumstances, using initiative and working proactively as part of a team.
- Proven ability to analyse information from a wide range of sources, working accurately with good attention to detail.
- Strong written and oral communication skills, comfortable communicating with colleagues at all levels across the organisation and building rapport with important stakeholders.
- Experience of drafting official correspondence accurately and precisely.
- Intermediate IT skills, with specific experience of using Microsoft Office suite.
In the Abilities section of the application form you will need to briefly evidence:
- Level of any Welsh Language Capability (Non-Essential)
In the Behaviours section of the application form you will need to provide examples to evidence the lead behaviour – communicating & influencing (and be prepared to demonstrate the others at interview):
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Making Effective Decisions
NB: In the event of 20 or more applications, we will undertake an initial shortlist on the basis of previous Policy experience, and evidence in the communicating and influencing behaviour only.
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