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 (OSSW):
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 (SoS) for Wales and the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales (PUSS) in representing Wales at the heart of Government. The department plays a central role in shaping key Government priorities such as levelling up, the Union and net zero. We work in partnership with other UK Government departments and 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 Office is based over two sites, in Cardiff and London, and, as an accredited smarter working organisation, we offer considerable flexibility around ‘the way we work’. We have a great technology and an attractive employee benefits package which includes a commitment to investing in the learning & development of our staff.
The expectation is that the postholder will spend some time travelling around Wales engaging and working with stakeholders.
About the team:
The role is within the Policy Team in OSSW, which currently compromises of 13 people. The Policy 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 and resolve issues that affect Wales. The day-to-day work of the team involves engagement with senior stakeholders inside and outside of Government as well as advising ministers, officials, and regional partners on a broad range of topics.
Description:
This is an exciting face passed role which will require engagement with a wide range of senior stakeholders, including frequent engagement with Ministers. You will play a role in shaping the Department’s work to support businesses in Wales and in delivering the Government’s Plan for Wales, its levelling- up agenda and the net zero transition in Wales, while strengthening Wales’s place in the United Kingdom.
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 and outside government. You will need to be confident engaging with stakeholders and will be responsible for working across the policy team supporting the development of stakeholder engagement plans. You will also need to be prepared to challenge and push back when under pressure as you deliver Ministerial priorities. You will need to work at pace to often challenging deadlines with an ability to draw together different sources of information and make sense of it for Ministers. You will need to use your knowledge of the R&D landscape in Wales to set the strategic direction of the office’s approach for R&D, to ensure the office meets its objectives.
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 in the way you drive forward progress on your area of expertise.
Key responsibilities:
The successful candidate will join the Economy and Innovation team as the policy lead for Innovation, Education and Skills. The UK Government is committed to levelling-up across the UK, reaching net-zero and strengthening the Union. This large portfolio allows the successful candidate to play an important role across all three Government agendas, with the scope to drive multiple workstreams, as well as engage with a broad range of stakeholders, both domestic and international.
The role will involve:
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Developing your knowledge of the R&D sector in Wales to set the strategic direction of office’s approach to R&D.
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Supporting teams across the wider policy team develop their stakeholder engagement plans.
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Working with senior stakeholders in UK Research and Innovation to ensure Wales benefits from the UK Government target of 2.4% of GDP being spent on R&D across the UK economy and supporting Wales’ industries of the future.
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Working with senior stakeholders in Higher Education Institutions innovative businesses based in Wales to build up a strong understanding of the innovation landscape of Wales.
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Considering the implications for Wales of proposed UK Government policy initiatives or legislation.
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Briefing the Secretary of State or Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in advance of important meetings with external stakeholders or other Ministers.
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Replying to written correspondence from Parliamentarians, external groups, or members of the public, for example, and supporting the SoS/PUSS to prepare for Parliamentary engagements, such as Welsh Affairs Committee appearances and Welsh Orals sessions in the House of Commons.
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Meeting with the Welsh Government and senior external stakeholders to establish working relationships and to understand a broad range of views on emerging Welsh innovation, education, and skills proposals.
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Line Management of one HEO.
Person Specification:
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. You will have well-honed interpersonal skills to establish rapport with stakeholders quickly and have the confidence to provide challenge to colleagues where appropriate. You will be decisive and use evidence to inform the strategic direction of the office’s approach to R&D.
Please evidence in your Statement of Suitability, how closely you match the following:
Essential:
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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.
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Demonstrable experience of developing and giving effective policy advice to Senior Officials or Ministers through both oral and written briefing and correspondence.
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Clear evidence of experience of working in a time pressured environment.
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Confidence in engaging with senior stakeholders and managing relationships.
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Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Desirable:
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Knowledge of the innovation landscape in Wales.