Overview
Local government is a principal partner to the Welsh Government. It delivers over 700 public services and accounts for more than 25 per cent of the who annual revenue budget. As such the sector is central to the provision of services to people, business and communities; and is engaged in the implementation and delivery of almost all Welsh Government programmes. Successfully delivering the Programme for Government is also dependant on the participation of local government.
It follows that the mechanism for funding local authorities is a critical part of Welsh Government business. Managing and developing the underpinning formula and the range of consultative mechanisms and ensuring that those work – and are considered by all to be – fairly and impartially – is important. This role sits at the centre of that work.
The postholder manages a Division including statisticians, accountants and more generalist skills. It is a busy role with significant financial responsibilities, including holding budgets worth a total of £5bn. In addition to a number of distinct policy responsibilities, the postholder plays a vital role in relationship management externally with local authorities and internally with colleagues across the Welsh Government reflecting the importance to local government to the delivery of a wide range of policy and delivery agenda.
The annual financial cycle drives a significant element of the work which involves advising ministers on annual decisions on the funding of local authorities and delivering over £6.6bn in revenue and capital settlements. Within the local government finance aspects of the role, there is also an ongoing policy role overseeing the financial framework for local government and the reform of the funding formula which distributes the annual revenue settlement. Beyond this the post leads and oversees work on the local government contribution to mitigating and adapting to climate change.
Key tasks
The post has responsibility for delivery, through the team and with partners within and beyond Welsh Government, of
The core un-hypothecated revenue and capital funding for local government:
- Advising Ministers on the assessment of funding need and risk including engagement with other policy areas and ministers as appropriate on the pressures in specific service areas.
- Delivery of the annual revenue and capital settlements including maintenance and development of arrangements for the fair distribution of revenue and capital funding between local authorities.
The Welsh Government component of the core un-hypothecated revenue funding for the Police in Wales:
Engagement with the Home Office as appropriate including on the implications for Welsh police forces and local council tax payers.
- The legislative and guidance framework for the effective conduct of local government finances.
- The Welsh Government policy towards the funding of local government and the financial health of local government in the round including responsibility for the WG response to critical financial failure or challenge.
- Emergency funding arrangements for local government in the event of significant emergencies.
- Relationships with the finance community in Local Government and the police.
- Strategic approach to Local Government climate change mitigation and adaptation including supporting the leadership and contribution of local government to the Welsh carbon budgets.
- Advising on local government workforce related matters within a context which is largely not devolved. This includes leading on any issues relating to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Developing and maintaining links with relevant UKG and Scottish Government colleagues
- Management and leadership of the division (12) which includes relevant technical disciplines. (statisticians, accountants).
- Contribute appropriately to the wider corporate and policy responsibilities of the Welsh Government
Other vacancy related information
Determining merit order when candidates score the same
Notes: In the event of two or more candidates having the same total score, you need measures in place to determine a merit order/which candidate will be appointed.
This could include:
- Consideration of the desirable criteria – Welsh Language
- Weighting the criteria e.g., which candidate had the highest score for Working Together.
Vetting level
SC – Candidates applying for a role that requires SC clearance must have normally resided in the UK for a minimum of the last 5 years
Number of posts
1
Contact point for further information regarding the post
Candidate pack / supporting information (English)
Candidate Pack – SCS1 – Deputy Director FPS (Final) – English.docx – 529KB Opens in a new window
Candidate pack / supporting information (Welsh)
Candidate Pack – SCS1 – Deputy Director – Welsh.docx – 481KB Opens in a new window
Person specification
Civil Service success profiles relevant to this role are set out below (click Success Profiles – GOV.UK to view more information on Civil Service Success profiles).
Your application (personal statement and CV) should set out your evidence in relation to the person specification below (i.e. success profile behaviours and experience listed).
Behaviours
- Leadership: You will embed a culture of inclusion and equal opportunity for all, where the diversity of individuals’ backgrounds and experiences are valued and respected.
- Making Effective Decisions: You will clearly communicate the purpose and reasons for recommendations and decisions.
- Working Together: You will proactively create, maintain and promote a strong network of contacts across the organisation and externally.
- Communicating and Influencing: You will communicate with conviction and clarity in the face of tough negotiations or challenges.
Experience
- Excellent judgement and political awareness, providing sound advice to support decision-making under pressure.
- An expert understanding of local government finance, preferably in the Welsh context, and the political sensitivities to which it can give rise.
- Proven analytical skills, with the ability to marshal and deploy evidence and analysis in the development, appraisal and evaluation of policy options.
- Strong programme and project management skills.
Assessment process
Stage 1 – Application
To apply for this role, you will be asked to submit:
Application Form
We welcome applications in Welsh and English. Applications in either language will be treated equally. If you have an impairment that would prevent you from applying online, please contact SCSRecruitment@gov.wales to request an alternative format or a reasonable adjustment to submit your application.
CV:
We operate name-free recruitment. The selection panel will not see personal information while shortlisting in line with our commitment to end bias and promote equality and diversity. Please remove your name from your CV and personal statement.
Personal Statement:
Your personal statement will be input into the application system and has a maximum word count of 1,000. Please explain how your professional qualifications, skills, qualities and experience meet the essential criteria included in the person specification. These are the key behaviours listed above: Leadership; Making Effective Decisions; Working Together and Communicating and Influencing and the four areas listed under ‘experience’.
Note that desirable criteria may be used at sift or interview stage to differentiate between candidates with tied or closely matched scores.
The Welsh Government is committed to achieving a workforce that reflects the society it serves – at all levels. You will be asked to confirm some diversity information on your application form. Collecting this information enables us to identify whether we are recruiting from the widest possible pool of talent and check that all groups are being treated fairly throughout the process; this form will not be disclosed to anyone involved in assessing your application. If you do not wish to provide a response to a particular question, you select ‘prefer not to say.’ You will not be able to submit your application if you leave any of the questions unanswered.
Stage 2 – Assessments
If shortlisted, you will take part in the following assessments:
Online Psychometric Tests:
These include a discussion with a psychologist via Microsoft Teams. You will receive a link to the online tests within 10 working days after the shortlisting meeting. You do not need to take these tests again if you have completed these tests in the last two years for a role at the same grade.
Staff/Stakeholder Engagement Exercise:
This exercise gives you the opportunity to present your experience, ideas and views on effective leadership for this role. You will meet with a group of staff via Microsoft Teams who may be future team members, peers, colleagues or stakeholders.
Interview & Scenario Exercise:
Before your interview, the selection panel will receive feedback on your psychometric tests and staff engagement exercise.
You will be given a presentation topic before your interview and will be asked to give a 5-minute verbal presentation.
Interviews will be around 45 minutes and will consider how the skills and experience in your CV and personal statement meet the requirements of the role. The interview will be held in person at the Welsh Government’s office in Cathays Park in Cardiff.
Welsh language requirements
Welsh language requirements
3 – Welsh language skills are not essential for this opportunity; you do not need Welsh language skills to apply. However, as the Welsh Government is a bilingual organisation, Welsh language skills are desirable and will be considered if two or more candidates receive the same score at the application or interview stage.
Understanding by reading
1 – Can read some basic words and phrases with understanding
Speaking and being understood
1 – Can hold a basic conversation in Welsh
Understanding by listening
1 – Can understand parts of a basic conversation
Writing and being understood
1 – Can write basic messages on everyday topics
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
The Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our AI candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection Process and Stages
Welsh Government, like all other Government Departments use Success Profiles when we recruit. For each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job. It raises performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
The selection process and stages are:
| Number of Stages: | 2 stage process |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Application Form |
| Stage 2 | Interview |
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these Behaviour criteria during the selection process.
Behaviour 1:
Leadership
You will embed a culture of inclusion and equal opportunity for all, where the diversity of individuals’ backgrounds and experiences are valued and respected.
This will be tested at stage 1: Application Form
This will be tested at stage 2: Interview
Behaviour 2:
Making Effective Decisions
You will clearly communicate the purpose and reasons for recommendations and decisions.
This will be tested at stage 1: Application Form
This will be tested at stage 2: Interview
Behaviour 3:
Working Together
You will proactively create, maintain and promote a strong network of contacts across the organisation and externally.
This will be tested at stage 1: Application Form
This will be tested at stage 2: Interview
Behaviour 4:
Communicating and Influencing
You will communicate with conviction and clarity in the face of tough negotiations or challenges.
This will be tested at stage 1: Application Form
This will be tested at stage 2: Interview
Experience
We’ll assess you against the following Experience criteria during the assessment process.
Evidence to provide
CV, Experience questions
Experience 1:
Excellent judgement and political awareness, providing sound advice to support decision-making under pressure.
This will be tested at Stage 1: Application Form
This will be tested at stage 2: Interview
Experience 2:
An expert understanding of local government finance, preferably in the Welsh context, and the political sensitivities to which it can give rise.
This will be tested at stage 1: Application Form
This will be tested at stage 2: Interview
Experience 3:
Proven analytical skills, with the ability to marshal and deploy evidence and analysis in the development, appraisal and evaluation of policy options.
This will be tested at stage 1: Application Form
This will be tested at stage 2: Interview
Experience 4:
Strong programme and project management skills.
This will be tested at stage 1: Application Form
This will be tested at stage 2: Interview
Recruitment principles and complaints
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition. Please see the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles on the Commission’s website.
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and wish to make a complaint please email complaints@gov.wales. Please ensure that you refer to the vacancy reference number.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Welsh Government, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: info@csc.gov.uk.
How to Apply
All applications for this vacancy must be made using our online application system.
Unless stated otherwise in the ‘Other vacancy-related information for advert’, the Welsh Government cannot offer Visa sponsorship. Welsh Government holds a Visa sponsorship licence, but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.
Applications are welcomed from people with a diverse range of lived and professional experiences. We are actively committed to becoming an increasingly diverse organisation which represents the diverse communities we serve. There are a number of Diversity networks that staff can participate in, which include the Disability Awareness and Support Staff Network; Minority Ethnic Staff Network; Mind Matters (Mental health and well-being); PRISM (LGBTI+), Women Together and the Neurodivergence Network.
If you have an impairment which prevents you from applying online, please email our recruitment team. You can:
- request an application pack in an alternative format
- request a recruitment adjustment to help you submit your application
Use the ‘Apply’ button to submit your application. You will be asked to register if you don’t have an account or sign in if you do. Registration takes a few minutes and you will need an email address.
You should check your Application Centre regularly for updates to your application. Please also check your spam/junk folder in case any communication regarding your application and/or assessment details finds its way there.
Once you’ve registered for an account and logged in, you’ll be taken to the online application form. You must complete this and submit it before the deadline on the closing date. We will not consider an incomplete application form.
If you would like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the Change Language link on this page. We welcome applications in Welsh, and applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than applications submitted in English.
Please see the candidate guidance/pack for more information on the recruitment process.
For information on Civil Service Success Profiles please click here.
For TS to G6 recruitment schemes: When presenting your evidence, you may find it useful to consider the expectations of the grade as set out in the Grade Description as well as the main responsibilities that are essential for the role
