24756 - Team leaders (EU Exit, Constitution, Transport and Regional Growth)
The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales (OSSW) 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.
This is an exciting time to work in OSSW. The Office is at the forefront of work to ensure the UK’s exit from the European Union (EU) is a success - for Wales and for the UK as a whole. Strengthening the Union is a priority for this Government and that means ensuring the Welsh devolution settlement works properly at a time of rapid constitutional change; delivering key projects and policy initiatives in reserved areas in Wales, ensuring the benefits to Wales of being part of the UK are fully recognised and enabling Wales to make the most of the opportunities afforded by exiting the EU.
As a member of the OSSW 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 role could be based either in Cardiff or in Whitehall but travel between sites and elsewhere will be required regularly (usually weekly during Parliamentary term time).
Roles
These team leader roles sit in the Office’s Policy and Constitution teams. They offer the opportunity to work closely with the Secretary of State for Wales and his Ministers and advisors 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. The successful candidates will lead a small team focussing on Transport, Regional Growth, EU Exit or Constitutional matters. These teams sit alongside the Economy Team and the Trade and Investment Team.
All posts will cover issues at the top of the Office’s agenda:
Transport - Our Secretary of State, supported by the transport team, played a key role in ensuring the tolls on the Severn Crossings were abolished. Going forward, the post holder will play a key role in engaging with stakeholders across Wales to understand the case for further rail investment, ensuring appropriate UK Government investment and that the voice of Welsh stakeholders is heard as policy is developed in Whitehall.
Regional Growth – OSSW leads on the negotiation and implementation of the UK Government’s City and Growth Deals in Wales. The post holder will work with stakeholders across Wales, Whitehall and the Welsh Government to deliver both the Cardiff and Swansea deals as well as lead the negotiations on the developing North Wales and Mid Wales Deals. In addition, you will lead a small team that handles a wide range of policy areas which support regional growth including Energy, Digital Infrastructure, and Defence.
EU Exit – Since the 2016 referendum, OSSW has ensured that the UK Government’s policy on EU Exit has taken into account the unique circumstances and requirements of stakeholders in Wales. Following Exit day, the post holder will be required to continue to work with stakeholders in Whitehall and in Wales, including the Welsh Government, to give Wales the best opportunity to prosper as part of a strong United Kingdom outside of the EU. The post holder will also manage a small team that deals with matters of particular importance to Wales post-Exit, including agriculture, funding and immigration.
Constitution - The Head of Constitution works with teams across Whitehall and the Welsh Government to ensure the Welsh devolution settlement works effectively. The post holder is responsible for a wide range of devolution issues that relate to Wales, including Welsh issues in the UK Government’s legislative programmes. They also work on a cross-Whitehall basis on constitutional issues relating to Wales that arise from EU exit, including inter-governmental relations and common frameworks.
Successful candidates for all four roles will need to be self-starters, able to work under their own initiative and form strong, productive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders to deliver the Government’s priorities for Wales.
These roles provide excellent career development opportunities to enhance policy making skills and increase political awareness in a fast-moving environment.
The posts will be offered initially on a two-year fixed term contract or loan but will be open to extension or permanent status in the future. This does not affect the permanent status of existing substantive civil servants.
Job Description
The key responsibilities of the roles will include:
- Providing strategic direction for the team to ensure it effectively delivers the business priorities of the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales.
- Ensuring the team effectively supports Ministers to represent Welsh interests in UK Government policy and the UK Government’s interests in Wales.
- Effectively managing and developing a reliable network of key Stakeholders in Whitehall, the Welsh Government and across Wales.
- Providing expert advice to other Government Departments across Whitehall, the Welsh Government, and stakeholders in Wales and ensure stakeholders across Wales have access to appropriate support.
- Working closely with the Office’s Communications Team and ensure the team plays a lead role in identifying and preparing for events and visits by senior officials and Ministers.
- Ensuring that the team provides high quality advice and briefing to the Secretary of State, Ministers and Senior Officials, including submissions, cabinet committee briefings and answers to parliamentary questions. This may involve taking responsibility for areas that fall outside the portfolio, should the need arise.
Skills & Qualifications
As well as the Competencies outlined below, you will also be required to evidence briefly how you meet the following additional criteria under the Other Competency/Experience section of the application form:
- Excellent written capability through evidence of briefing Senior Officials or Ministers
- Oral and written fluency in Welsh language skills would be desirable but is not essential on this occasion.
At interview shortlisted candidates will also be expected to demonstrate:
- An ability to quickly win and retain the confidence of UK Government Ministers and senior Whitehall officials, given the frequent exposure to Ministers in a small department like OSSW. An ability to balance competing priorities and deliver at pace, often to challenging deadlines.
- Sound judgement and political awareness.
- Experience of engaging with stakeholders and colleagues at all levels to generate commitment to goals.
Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 8 April 2019
You will be required to deliver against the following competencies:
Please note that if we have 20 or more applications, we reserve the right to sift only on a lead competency which on this occasion will be leading and communicating.
Seeing the Big Picture
- Identify implications of Departmental and political priorities and strategy on own area to ensure plans and activities reflect these.
- Ensures relevant issues relating to their activity/policy area are effectively fed into strategy and big picture considerations.
Making Effective Decisions
- Analyse and evaluate pros and cons and identify risks in order to make decisions that take account of the wider context, including diversity and sustainability.
- Identify the main issue in complex problems, clarify understanding or stakeholder expectations, to seek best option.
Leading and Communicating
- Confidently engage with stakeholders and colleagues at all levels to generate commitment to goals.
- Clarify strategies and plans, giving a clear sense of direction and purpose for self and team.
Delivering at Pace
- Maintain effective performance in difficult and challenging circumstances, encouraging others to do the same.
- Review, challenge and adjust performance levels to ensure quality outcomes are delivered on time, rewarding success.
Although this post is offered on a loan or fixed term basis initially, there is still the possibility of extension or permanence in the future. Please note that this does not affect the contractual position of substantive (permanent) civil servants.
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.
Eligibility
Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition.
22/03/2019, 23:55 hours.
Closing Date: 22nd March 2019 at 23.55 hours
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.
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.