23446 - Policy Adviser - up to 3 positions in the Economy, Trade & Investment or Regional Growth Teams
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 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.
This is an exciting time to be involved in devolution-related matters. Following the EU referendum, the union 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. This vacancy is a role at the heart of Government, monitoring Government policy and how it affects Wales and liaising with the whole of Government to influence on a whole range of policy issues.
As a member of the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales the successful candidate would be an employee of the Ministry of Justice, as parent Department. The Office is based over two sites, in Cardiff Bay and Whitehall. The job could be based either in Cardiff or in Whitehall but travel between sites and elsewhere may be required in order to build relations with policy colleagues and stakeholders and ensure a unified and effective department.
Job Description
There are up to 3 roles available. These are in the Policy Group which supports ministers and senior officials to ensure that Wales' interests are fully represented in UK Government policy-making and implementation, and to promote a wider understanding of UK Government policies in Wales. There will be posts in two of the policy teams – Economy, Trade & Investment, and Regional Growth. The posts will provide an excellent opportunity for individuals looking both to develop strong policy and briefing skills and gain experience of working closely with Ministers.
The Economy, Trade & Investment team is responsible for advising the Secretary of State on domestic and international economic policy, as well as engaging with businesses in Wales. The team also leads on matters relating to welfare reform.
The Regional Growth Team is responsible for delivering a range of UK Government policy priorities in Wales such as City and Growth Deals, Digital infrastructure, Energy, Broadcasting and Defence.
The key responsibilities of the role may include:
- Work with the team leader to effectively support Ministers to represent Welsh interests in UK Government policy and the UK Government’s interests in Wales.
- Effectively manage and develop a reliable network of key Stakeholders in Whitehall, the Welsh Government and with businesses and individuals across Wales.
- Work with Other Government Departments across Whitehall, the Welsh Government, and businesses in Wales to provide advice and ensure businesses across Wales have access to appropriate support.
- Work closely with the Wales Office Communications Team and play a lead role in identifying and preparing for relevant events and visits for senior officials and Ministers.
- Play a full and active role in the wider team. Drafting high quality advice and submissions to the Secretary of State, Ministers and senior officials, including on areas that fall outside the portfolio, should the need arise.
Skills & Qualifications
Excellent written and oral skills are vital to this post as you will be responsible for providing a variety of briefings to ministers and senior officials, including submissions, cabinet committee briefings and answers to parliamentary questions. It is also essential that you have strong communication skills to build relationships with key stakeholders. Oral and written Welsh language skills would be an advantage but are not essential.
Given the high level of exposure to Ministers inherent in a small department like the Wales Office, the ability to quickly win the respect and confidence of UK Government Ministers and senior Whitehall officials will also be important, as will sound judgement and political awareness.
Further Information
Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.
Flexible working hours
The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices.
You will be required to deliver against the following competencies:
Seeing the Big Picture
- Be alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact or benefit own and team’s work
Leading and Communicating
- Communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner with all stakeholders and stand ground when needed
Collaborating and Partnering
- Establish relationships with a range of stakeholders to support delivery of business outcomes
Delivering at Pace
- Show a positive approach in keeping their own and the team’s efforts focused on the goals that really matter.
Please note that if we have 20 or more applications per post, we reserve the right to sift only on a lead competency which on this occasion will be leading and communicating.
Working Arrangements & Further Information
Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.
Flexible working hours
The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices.
Benefits
The MoJ offers a range of benefits:
Annual Leave
Generous allowances for paid holiday starting at 25 days per year, and rising as your service increases. There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.
Pension
The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
Training
The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
Support
- A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
- Access to flexible benefits such as salary sacrifice arrangements for childcare vouchers, and voluntary benefits such as retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
- Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
- Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
Networks
The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity.
There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
14/01/2019, 23:55 hours.
Closing: 14th January 2019 at 23:55 hours
Thomas Jones - thomas.jones@ukgovwales.gov.uk
If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@sscl.gse.gov.uk Please quote the job reference 23446
To apply for roles in MOJ you will need to confirm your employment history for at least 3 years prior to the date of application so that pre-employment checks (BPSS) can be undertaken. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years) you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why.
For some roles you will be required to successfully complete National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorism (CTC), Security Clearance (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) level as a condition of appointment. To meet CTC/SC/DV requirements you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3/5/10 years prior to the date of application (The level of checks that are required are stated in the advert).
If you do not meet the above requirements, you may still be considered if, for example:
- You've been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government
- You were studying abroad
- You were living overseas with parents
In such cases you will need to be able to provide referee cover for the period(s) of residence overseas. The duration of overseas residence and the country of abode will also be taken into account.
Candidate Information
You may be required to provide statements describing your skills and experience relevant to each of the selection criteria. We recommend that you structure any examples as Situation, Task, Action and Result. For more information about the recruitment process and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.
Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ
In the event of a large number of applications, we reserve the right to undertake the following processes:
- An automated online test where a benchmark must be passed to progress;
- A sift on the lead selection criteria. If this happens, the lead criteria will be the first one listed in the advert.
During the selection process, you may be asked to undertake an additional assessment (such as written test). If this is applicable you will be notified of this when you are invited to interview.
We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.
Application form stage assessments
Interview stage assessments
A Great Place to Work for Veterans
The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans
Redeployment Interview Scheme
Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.
MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
· UK nationals
· nationals of the Republic of Ireland
· nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
· nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
· nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
· individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
· Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules
This Vacancy is closed to applications.