Guardian of Safe and Flexible Working (GOSFW)

We encourage applications from all with protected characteristics, including disabled and neurodiverse candidates and from those in the Armed Forces Community. Applicants are invited to apply in Welsh; any application submitted through the medium of Welsh will not be treated less favourably than applications made in English. We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time.

The Health Board is seeking to appoint a Guardian of Safe and Flexible Working (GOSFW) to provide independent assurance that safe working hours and rest requirements for doctors and dentists in training are upheld in line with the 2026 Terms and Conditions of Service. A senior clinician, operating independently of line management structures, with the confidence of doctors in training and the authority to influence organisational decision‑making. Working closely with medical education, workforce, service leaders, LNC and resident doctor forums, the role is vital in protecting patient safety, staff wellbeing and training quality across the Health Board. Post is open to clinicians with appropriate experience and credibility, operating independently of local line management structures and able to command the confidence of doctors and dentists in training. The role is on a secondment or fixed‑term basis for 3 years, subject to annual review. Applicants must have the support of their current line manager prior to application.

Employment Details

• 1.5 session – Secondment / Fixed Term – 3 years (subject to annual review)

Reporting

• Responsible to: Executive Medical Director
• Accountable to: ABUHB Board
• Professional Accountability to: Wales Lead Guardian of Safe and Flexible Working

Salary

Salary will be based on the 2026/27 Agenda for Change Pay Award effective from 1 April 2026. For further detail, please refer to the pay circular.

Main Duties

• Provide independent oversight of safe working hours and rest
• Review and respond to exception reports and rota breaches
• Champion flexible training and working arrangements
• Provide assurance to the Health Board and Lead Guardian
• Promote a strong safety and wellbeing culture
• Assist to address breaches of safe working hours, promote fatigue mitigation and champion flexible and less‑than‑full‑time training

Experience and Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Demonstrate a high level of professional standards
• Demonstrate the importance of safe working patterns and rotas for resident doctors
• Manage change and deal with constraints
• Knowledge of and training in equality, diversity and inclusion
• Use interpersonal skills to promote medical and dental education within the host organisation
• Relevant experience as a senior clinician with appropriate experience and credibility

Desirable criteria

• Previous senior position with a strategic and/or operational focus
• Promoting fatigue mitigation and championing flexible and less‑than‑full‑time training

Benefits

We offer a fantastic benefits package, extensive training and development opportunities, and clear professional and leadership career pathways. This includes paid mandatory training, high‑quality in‑house programmes, and opportunities to gain recognised qualifications. We also support agile and flexible working where tasks and service needs allow, helping colleagues maintain a healthy work‑life balance.