Senior Policy Advisor: Regional and Local Growth (Ref: 1062)

Job Title Senior Policy Advisor: Regional and Local GrowthPay Grade SEOSalary41,463 - 45,276 (National) / 47,657 - 52,040 (London)Location Ty William Morgan, Cardiff, CF10 1EP/ Gwydyr House, London, SW1A 2NPContractPermanentClearanceCTC (See Additional Information)About the Wales Office:The Wales Office 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 the 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.The Office is based over two sites, with one base in Cardiff and another in London. As an accredited smarter working organisation, we offer considerable flexibility around the way we work. We have great technology and an attractive employee benefits package which includes a commitment to investing in the learning & development of our staff. Travel may be required to provide support on Ministerial visits or when attending stakeholder meetings.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 Regional and Local Growth 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.Description:The Regional and Local Growth team oversees governance and assurance of the UK Government investment in Wales four City and Regional Growth Deals currently in delivery the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal, the Swansea Bay City Deal, the Mid Wales Growth Deal, and the North Wales Growth Deal. The team also works closely with colleagues across Government on various Local Growth Fund programmes, ensuring these deliver on their objectives in Wales.The role is a core position within the Regional and Local Growth team. The post holder will play a key role in leading and driving the assurance and governance of the Growth Deals, whilst progressing the Secretary of States priorities and will build effective relationships across Whitehall to deliver the Growth Deals within Wales and support the wider UK Government mission on economic growth.Key Responsibilities: The team undertakes strategic policy work, working with other parts of Government and a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. You will help to support the Office in delivering on the Secretary of States priorities which includes: Effective briefing provided to Ministers and Senior Officials. The team responds effectively to requests for policy products from external sources, such as Parliamentary Questions or Cabinet Committee write-rounds. Ensuring that the team is working to progress agreed delivery plans for priority areas. Where progress is blocked, you will be expected to seek effective solutions, highlighting or escalating to senior managers as necessary. Developing and maintaining effective relationships with internal teams including the Policy Team, Private Office and Correspondence Team, working with them to effectively manage expectations and resolve issues where they arise to ensure consistent delivery. Managing relationships with other Government Departments and external stakeholders across the City and Regional Growth Deals within Wales. Managing relationships with Local Authorities, Welsh Government, and other UK Government Departments across the Growth Deals. You will be expected to represent senior staff in cross-Whitehall meetings as required, acting as their designated representative whilst adding value through your knowledge and experience.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: Person SpecificationThis campaign will be undertaken using the Civil Service Success Profile framework.Please evidence in your Statement of Suitability, how closely you match the essential criteria:Essential: The ability to work autonomously.The ability to plan and manage your workload, adapting quickly to changing circumstances, using initiative, and working proactively as part of a team.Demonstrable experience of developing and giving effective policy advice to Senior Officials or Ministers through both oral and written briefing and correspondence.Proven ability to analyse information from a wide range of sources, working accurately with good attention to detail.An ability to communicate confidently with people at all levels and build rapport with important stakeholders.Experience of drafting, ensuring your work is accurate and precise.Intermediate or advanced IT skills, with specific experience of using the Microsoft Office suite.Desirable: Welsh Language skills. Experience using Microsoft Power BI.You will need to provide evidence in your application to cover the following behaviours: Communicating and Influencing (Lead Behaviour) (Application & Interview) Seeing the Big Picture (Application & Interview) Making Effective Decisions (Interview Only) Working Together (Interview Only)In the event of a high volume of applicants, we will sift only on the lead behaviour to create a shortlist for interview.Strengths may also be assessed at interview, but these are not shared in advance.Additional InformationThe Wales Office is not an employer in its own right. Staff recruited to work at the Wales Office will be employees of the Ministry of Justice who provide employment services on our behalf.This role requires CTC level clearance. Applicants for National Security Clearance (CTC) must be resident in the UK for 3 years immediately prior to their application for Security Clearance. 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.If you do not meet the above requirement, you may still be considered for the role if, for example:You have been serving overseas with HM Armed Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government.You were studying abroad.You were living overseas with parents