Wales Engagement Associate

We are Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority, a non-ministerial government department responsible for regulating the water sector in England and Wales.

We have an opportunity for a Wales Engagement Associate to join our Government Engagement and Wales Team within Government Engagement Directorate.

The water sector is entering a new chapter. Following the Independent Water Commissions Final Report and subsequent White Paper - 'New Vision for Water', the UK government has set out a bold new direction - one that brings together expertise from across the sector to deliver better outcomes for customers and the environment.

Ofwat is working in collaboration with the government and other regulators to help establish a new body for England, combining our strengths with those of the Drinking Water Inspectorate, the Environment Agency, and Natural England. Were also continuing to engage with the Welsh Government to support future decisions for Wales.

While these changes take shape, our mission remains the same: to hold water companies to account, drive performance, and ensure the sector delivers real value for customers, communities, and the environment. If youre passionate about making a difference, this is a unique moment to join us and help shape the future of water, and together we can continue to make a positive impact.

You can find out more about why you should join Ofwat, our strategy, values and our framework for success in the attached Information for Candidates Pack. A candidate pack in Welsh language is also attached.

The Wales Engagement Associate role has an important and valuable contribution to enable us to deliver on our goals and regulatory commitments.

You will help ensure the smooth running of the Wales team during this busy time, by keeping track of the inbox and team calendar, taking notes and minutes, and developing slide packs. You will write agendas, support preparation for internal and external meetings, and ensure appropriate actions are taken.

Ideally, you will have a knowledge of the machinery and structure of the UK government and an understanding of the political, environmental and economic circumstances across England and Wales.  But we are more interested in showing us that you know how to develop and maintain relationships with partners, inside and outside of Ofwat, and have a track record in learning new information and new skills.

Key deliverables:

In this role you will be expected to:

• Manage the Wales inbox, handling incoming communications from Welsh Government, Senedd Members and other stakeholders, ensuring a prompt and accurate response to their queries.
• Help Ofwat to update and develop our Welsh Language strategy and be the person responsible for leading on communications with the Welsh Language Commissioner's office.
• Help to manage a Wales stakeholders contact database and administrative maintenance of various activity trackers and activity pipelines.
• Advise the central communications team on Wales focussed communications, including press releases, consultations, social media posts etc.
• Alongside this, work with the Wales team to help develop the communications for the new distinct 'Wales unit' within Ofwat once this is established
• Work with the Director and Principals in the Government Engagement and Wales Team, as well as with colleagues across the organisation, to help deliver tailored Wales engagement strategies to further the aims and objectives of Ofwat.
• Assist the Wales team with administrative tasks such as organising and minuting meetings, room bookings, diary management, event support and other tasks as necessary.

To be successful in this role you will need the below essential attributes, experience, skills and knowledge:

Experience, skills and knowledge

1. Lead criterion: Experience of Welsh Government and the Welsh political landscape through your work or a degree in a relevant subject.
2. Administration skills, including ability to coordinate across a team and provide quality written materials - for example diary/calendar management, basic project management, inbox management, and taking meeting notes and minutes.
3. Strong communication skills verbal, written and presentation skills, including the ability to write clearly and concisely for a range of different audiences.
4. Ability to think creatively and approach to problem solving and delivery in different contexts.
5. Strategic thinking skills and ability to plan ahead, particularly with regard to ensuring we deliver effective and professional meetings with partners inside and outside of Ofwat
6. Welsh language proficiency is highly desirable for this role.

Attributes

7. Delivers outcomes

8. Builds trust

9. Promotes Collaboration

10. Committed Learner

Attributes as per Ofwat's Framework for Success for the relevant salary grade. You can read more about Attributes here.