Deputy Director Sustainable Futures in Aberystwyth

The Welsh Government operates name-free recruitment. The recruiting panel will not see personal information such as a candidate’s name and address during the sifting process. This policy is in line with our commitment to end bias and promote equality and diversity.

Advertising basis: Permanent

Salary: Circa £86,000 although some flexibility may be available for an exceptional candidate.

Work pattern: Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)

Location(s): Pan Wales. ‘Pan Wales’ means the post holder can be based in any Welsh Government office, subject to business needs. A list of the Welsh Government’s offices can be found on www.gov.wales/welsh-government-offices. Please note it may not always be possible to accommodate a preference for a specific office location.

Purpose of post: The post is part of the new Welsh Government Strategy Directorate, within the First Minister and Cabinet Office Group. The post holder will lead an effective, integrated team which works flexibly across a range of complex and novel issues, rapidly adapting to emerging requirements. The postholder will lead on continuing to mainstream the Well-being of Future Generations Act within Welsh Government, advising Ministers and senior officials on the Welsh Government’s own responsibilities under the Act, and promoting integrated policy making across government.

Key tasks:

• Work across Government and with partners to further develop and deliver approaches to mainstream the Well-being of Future Generations within Welsh Government policy making.
• Boost policy capability and act as lead advisor on ensuring the Welsh Government fulfils its own responsibilities under the Act.
• Liaise closely with the office of the Future Generations Commissioner and strengthen cross-Wales and international networks on wellbeing policy.
• Lead through influence across Welsh Government and the public sector to embed sustainable development across all public bodies covered by the Well-being of Future Generation Act.
• Provide leadership, direction and support for Sustainable Futures Division staff and across Welsh Government.
• Promote and embed the Well-being of Future Generations as an operating system for the Welsh Government, including refreshing guidance, delivering training, and leading staff engagement sessions.
• Build capacity and understanding across Welsh Government through champions, networks, and knowledge sharing.
• Act as the lead advisor on ensuring the Welsh Government fulfils its own responsibilities under the WFG Act, advising ExCo and the WG Board as necessary.
• Work closely with senior officials, special advisors and Ministers to deliver the Welsh Government’s Well-being and Future Generations objectives.
• Lead on the delivery of grants to Public Services Boards (PSBs), the Future Generations Commissioner, and Sustainable Futures Divisional funding.
• Lead on benchmarking policy skills and applying future trends within policy development.
• Deliver enhancements to the practice and process of assessing impact, especially where there are statutory obligations.
• Provide leadership, management and oversight for the effective delivery of the Equality Impact Improvement action plan and provide timely progress updates on s23 to ExCo and the Welsh Government Board.

Other vacancy related information:

Location: You may be contractually based at any of the main Welsh Government offices in Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Llandudno Junction or Aberystwyth. We support hybrid working and tailoring patterns to suit individual circumstances. The role requires occasional travel to Cardiff.

Contract Type: Permanent or a secondment/loan for up to 2 years initially. Applications are welcome from people who work full-time, part-time or as part of a job share.

Welsh Language Requirements: Welsh language skills are not essential for this post, but they would be an asset. We expect the successful candidate to develop their Welsh language skills on appointment and we will fully support them to do this, with training available.

Vetting level: SC - Candidates applying for a role that requires SC clearance must have normally resided in the UK for a minimum of the last 5 years.

Candidate pack / supporting information: The successful candidate will need to have a range of experience, skills and experience, including:

• Behaviours: Leadership, Working Together, Seeing the Big Picture, Communicating and Influencing.
• Experience: Experience of championing and nurturing best practice relating to the Well-being of Future Generations Act and experience of working on equalities issues.

Social Model of Disability: Welsh Government has adopted the social model of disability, which recognises that barriers in society act to disable people who have impairments, or health conditions, who are neurodivergent or who use British Sign Language. We are committed to removing barriers in the recruitment process so that all (or potential new) staff can perform at their best.

We are committed to inclusive recruitment and offer interviews to eligible candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the role through various schemes.

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and wish to make a complaint please email complaints@gov.wales.