Non-executive Director for welsh government board
Background Information for Candidates
Contents
Item / PageAbout the Welsh Government / 1
Management Structure / 2
About the role / 3
About this appointment / 4
About the Welsh Government
Welsh Government background
The Welsh Government is the devolved government for Wales. With an annual budget of around £15 billion, the Government is responsible for key aspects of public life in Wales including health, education, the economy and transport, and agriculture and the environment. The Welsh devolution settlement has evolved dynamically since the establishment of the National Assembly in 1999, and will continue to expand through new powers in the Wales Act 2017 which will come on stream next year.
The First Minister of Wales is the Rt. Hon. Carwyn Jones AM. He has appointed a team of Welsh Ministers and a Counsel General to serve in his Cabinet, which is the main decision-making body of the Welsh Government. Welsh Ministers are accountable to the National Assembly for Wales, the legislative body, which comprises 60 elected Members and is based in Cardiff.
Welsh Ministers are supported by a workforce of more than 5,000 civil servants, approximately half of whom are located in Cardiff, with the remainder based in Welsh Government offices across Wales. The Welsh Government also has offices in London, Brussels and an overseas estate geared towards trade and investment work. The Permanent Secretary leads the Welsh Government Civil Service and is accountable to the First Minister and Welsh Ministers.
The Welsh Government elected in May 2016 has outlined its priorities in its Programme for Government, Taking Wales Forward. It aims to address significant challenges during its five year mandate and offers a progressive agenda for improving the quality of life in Wales. The overall strategic ambition is to build a Wales which is a self-confident, prosperous, healthy nation and a society which is fair to all.
In light of the Wales Act 2014 and the Wales Act 2017, significant changes are being made to the fiscal powers of Welsh Ministers, including the devolution of tax and borrowing powers. Going forward, more than 25% of the £15bn spent by the Welsh Government will come from Welsh taxes. This is a very important further step in the devolution journey with major implications for the National Assembly, the Welsh Government and a range of other public sector bodies. A Welsh Revenue Authority will be established to collect and manage devolved taxes.
The Welsh Government has set out clear priorities for Wales following the UK’s exit from the European Union. Alongside the impact of the terms of the UK’s departure, including market access and changes to migration, EU exit presents significant challenges to the devolution settlements and the relationships between the nations of the UK and it is vital that Wales’ interests are fully recognised in future arrangements. Wales is an outward-facing, globally-trading nation with a strong track record of attracting inward investment. The Welsh Government needs to represent Wales’ interests in emerging UK trade negotiations and position Welsh business to exploit new markets and opportunities as they arise.
Along with other public bodies in Wales, the Welsh Government is subject to the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act and to the Welsh Language Standards, both of which require the Civil Service to work in new and different ways to improve policy development and the services delivered to the people of Wales.
Management Structure
Permanent Secretary and the Board
The Welsh Government Civil Serviceis a large and complex organisation working on many aspects of Welsh life. The Permanent Secretary leads the organisation as a whole, with individual departments located within the four Groups: Economy, Skills and Natural Resources; Education and Public Services; Health and Social Services; and Office of the First Minister and Cabinet Office.
Our Board is chaired by the Permanent Secretary and currently includes 4 Non-Executive Directors as well as Executive members from across the organisation:
The First Minister and his Cabinet determine the policy direction for the Welsh Government. The Board supports, challenges and advises the Permanent Secretary in discharging her role in leading the Welsh Government to support Ministers and to deliver their programme effectively. It is the senior forum at official level for overseeing the performance of the organisation. The Non-Executive Directors on the Board play a key role in ensuring that the Board functions effectively.
The Board is supported by three Sub-Committees:
- theAudit & Risk Assurance Committee, which is chaired by a Non-Executive Director. The function of the committee is to assist the Board to monitor and review both the risk, control and governance processes that have been established, and the associated assurance processes in place within the organisation.
- the Remuneration Committee, which is responsible for the Senior Civil Service (SCS) Pay Strategy, overseeing the process of assessment and moderation for SCS members and agreeing the recruitment processes for all SCS posts. This is also chaired by a Non-Executive Director.
- the Operations Committee, which helps to ensure we are working as efficiently and effectively as possible.
More information on the role of the Board and members, including the Terms of Reference, can be found on the internet site:
Board agendas and papers are published on the internet six weeks after the meeting.
About the role
We will be making more than one Non-Executive Director appointment to the Board over the next year. The first appointment will commence in January 2018 with others potentially later in the year. Candidates who would be unable to take up a role immediately, but are interested in becoming a Non-Executive, should therefore consider applying.
In addition, the Board’s Audit and Risk Committee structure includes Committees at Group level. We also envisage needing to appoint new NEDs to some of these Group Committees over the coming year. If you would also like to be considered for one of these roles, please tick here:
Non-Executive Directors receive a small remuneration on an honorarium basis of £347 per day as well as travel expenses. The Non-Executive Directors on the Board are expected to give a time commitment of three working days per month, on average. The pattern of attendance may be spread over a number of days to suit business requirements. Additional attendance is subject to agreement between the individual and the Permanent Secretary.
Appointments are for an initial period of two years with the possibility of extension.
Non-Executive Directors will be expected to attend the monthly meetings of the Board. Their attendance at one or more of the specialist sub-committees of the Board is likely to be suggested by their particular skills and experience. They may also be invited to attend bi-annualBoard Development eventsand occasional ad hoc sessions.
Broadly, the Non-Executive Director's contribution includes:
- Contributing an external perspective to Board discussions based on their experience and drawing on their specific expertise and knowledge;
- Offering constructive challenge tothe Board on the best way to deliver the Welsh Government’s strategic priorities;;
- Providing ad hoc advice to the Board and Permanent Secretary both in and out of committee;
- Acting as a sponsor to particular programmes and projects and/or as a mentor to individuals;
- Acting as a panel member for senior recruitment exercises;
- Input in advance of the First Minister’s annual performance discussion with the Permanent Secretary.
The Non-Executive Director(s) will be expectedto devote the necessary time to prepare for and attend Boardmeetings and the training and development opportunities provided. Meetings will normally be held in Cardiff although the Board may occasionally meet at other Welsh Government offices around Wales.
About this appointment
Equal Opportunities
All our appointments are based on equality of opportunity. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from all under-represented groups.
The principles of fair and equal competition will apply and appointments will be made on merit, with independent assessment, openness and transparency of process.
Selection and Interviews
The selection panel will be chaired by Shan Morgan, Permanent Secretary, supported by David Richards, (Director of Governance), Peter Kennedy (HR Director) and Ann Keane(Non-Executive Director).
Criteria for Selection
The criteria for selection will be drawn from the specification below.
The selection panel will apply the same criteria at the shortlisting stage as at the interviews, narrowing down those applicants who are able to demonstrate from their application the strongest fit for our needs. We would welcome applications from Welsh speaking candidates and look forward to hearing from as diverse a range of candidates as possible.
Specification
We want people who will provide a different perspective, be a source of fresh ideas and complement the skills of the other Non-Executives. We will also be interested to hear how candidates consider the experience of being a Non-Executive could be beneficial to them. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and experience, including those with a private sector background.
Candidates are invited to provide evidence against as many as possible ofthe following criteria:
Knowledge and Experience
- an understanding of the role and future direction of the Welsh Government, the wider Government environment in which the Welsh Government operates and some of the challenges ahead;
- a strong track record of delivering outcomes;
- knowledge/skills/experience in financial management, accounting, risk management, audit and accountability structures;
- insights from the public, private or voluntary sectors;
- an awareness of the organisation’s key customers and stakeholders;
- a sound understanding of Wales, its culture, economy and Welsh affairs;
- an understanding of, and commitment to, equality issues.
Skills and qualities
- well developed interpersonal, communication and listening skills;
- ability to offer constructive challenge;
- good influencing and persuading skills;
- ability to work effectively as part of a team;
- ability to think strategically;
- sound analytical ability;
- ability to offer creative solutions to resolve complex issues;
- ability to work on the basis of strict political impartiality.
Security and Confidentiality
Before a letter is issued to the Non-Executive Director(s) to confirm their appointment, the Welsh Government will need to ensure its entire satisfaction with their good character and reputation. To do this, two references will be taken up. In addition, as they are privy to sensitive and confidential information, Non-Executive Directors are subject to security clearance by the Welsh Government before they take up their appointments.
The Non-Executive Director(s) will be required to exercise care in the use of information that they acquire in the course of their duties and to protect information that is held in confidence. They will also be subject to the Official Secrets Act 1989.
Application Process
All applications will be acknowledged. Candidates wishing to apply should submit an application form, along with a detailed CV.Applications should be:
- emailed to s or
- posted to: Senior Civil Service Team,
Second Floor, East Core,
Cathays Park,
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ
Closing Date and Key Decision Dates
The closing date for applications is 25 September 2017. Application forms received after this date will not be considered. Invitations to interview, and notification to unsuccessful candidates, will be sent out in mid to lateOctober 2017. Interviews will be heldon 9November2017.
Further Information needed?
If you have an enquiry about the role of Non-Executive Directors, or the Board’s business, please contact David Richards on 0300 025 9066, or by email at:s
If you have an enquiry about the selection process, please contact Evelyn Edwards in our Human Resources Department. Evelyn can be contacted on 0300 025 1195 and can be reached by email at: s
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