At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with senior stakeholders to influence economic policy for Wales.
- Company: Join the Ministry of Justice and represent Wales in Westminster.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working options, and a strong pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on Wales' economy while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in policy advice and excellent communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 42914 - 53081 £ per year.
Location: 6 Central Square, Cardiff CF10 1EP, UK; City of Westminster
Salary: 42,914 - 53,081 per year
Employment: Full time
Category: Policy
Posted: 2026-08-17
Valid to: 2026-09-02
Apply: here
Employer: Ministry of Justice
Job summary: Please refer to Job Description.
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.
About the team: The role is within the Policy Team in the Wales Office, which currently comprises of 12 people. The Policy 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 and resolve issues that affect Wales. The day-to-day work of the team involves engagement with senior stakeholders inside and outside of Government as well as advising ministers, officials, and regional partners on a broad range of topics.
Key Responsibilities:
- This is an exciting fast-paced role which will require engagement with a wide range of senior stakeholders, including frequent engagement with Ministers.
- You will need to quickly establish and maintain relationships with stakeholders both within and outside government.
- You will also need to be prepared to challenge and push back when under pressure as you deliver Ministerial priorities.
- You will need to work at pace to often challenging deadlines with an ability to draw together different sources of information and make sense of it for Ministers.
- There will be a need for an excellent political antenna and so you will be proficient in keeping abreast of the latest developments in Wales and the rest of the UK.
- You will need to show leadership in the way you drive forward progress on your area of expertise.
The role will involve:
- Support the department wide approach to the Industrial Strategy to ensure it delivers for Wales, across Economy, Trade, Investment and R&D.
- Working with Senior stakeholders across Wales to build up a strong understanding of the economic landscape of Wales.
- Considering the implications for Wales of proposed UK Government policy initiatives or legislation.
- Briefing the Secretary of State or Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in advance of important meetings with external stakeholders or other Ministers.
- Replying to written correspondence from Parliamentarians, external groups or members of the public, for example, and supporting the SoS/PUSS to prepare for Parliamentary engagements, such as Welsh Affairs Committee appearances and Welsh Orals sessions in the House of Commons.
- Meeting with the Welsh Government and senior external stakeholders to establish working relationships and to understand a broad range of views on emerging Welsh innovation and economic policy.
Person Specification:
You will be an experienced policy official and effective at briefing others. You will be well organised and able to deliver at pace. You will be capable of learning new policy areas quickly. You will have well-honed interpersonal skills to establish rapport with stakeholders quickly and have the confidence to provide challenge to colleagues where appropriate. You will be decisive and use evidence to inform the strategic direction of the office’s approach to the economy.
Please evidence in your Statement of Suitability, how closely you match the essential criteria:
Essential:
- Given the need to cover multiple policy portfolios you will need to show experience of working in an environment where a multi-tasking approach and the need for prioritisation has been required.
- Demonstrable experience of developing and giving effective policy advice to Senior Officials or Ministers through both oral and written briefing and correspondence.
- Clear evidence of experience of working in a time pressured environment.
- Confidence in engaging with senior stakeholders and managing relationships.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Desirable:
- Welsh Language skills.
- Knowledge of the economic landscape in Wales.
Recruitment Process:
This campaign will be undertaken using the Civil Service Success Profile framework. 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)
- Delivering at Pace (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. Successful candidates who make it to the interview stage will also be asked to provide a five-minute presentation on ‘What are the opportunities and constraints for economic growth in Wales’.
Additional Information:
The 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 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.
Behaviours: We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Delivering at Pace
Benefits:
- Alongside your salary of 42,914, Ministry of Justice contributes 12,432 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
- Access to learning and development.
- A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance.
- A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
- Annual Leave.
- Public Holidays.
- Season Ticket Advance.
For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.
Artificial Intelligence: 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.
Selection process details: This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security: Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check.
Nationality requirements: This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
Working for the Civil Service: The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities.
Diversity and Inclusion: The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found.
Contact point for applicants:
Job contact: Name: SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team
Email: moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
Telephone: 0345 241 5359
Recruitment team Email: moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
Senior Policy Advisor: Economy (Ref: 21177) in Cardiff employer: Government Recruitment Service
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Contact Details:
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Policy Advisor: Economy (Ref: 21177) in Cardiff
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