Deputy Director - Local Government Finance Policy and Sustainability

Local government is a principal partner to the Welsh Government.  It delivers over 700 public services and accounts for more than 25 per cent of the who annual revenue budget.  As such the sector is central to the provision of services to people, business and communities; and is engaged in the implementation and delivery of almost all Welsh Government programmes.  Successfully delivering the Programme for Government is also dependant on the participation of local government.

It follows that the mechanism for funding local authorities is a critical part of Welsh Government business.  Managing and developing the underpinning formula and the range of consultative mechanisms and ensuring that those work – and are considered by all to be – fairly and impartially – is important.  This role sits at the centre of that work.

The postholder manages a Division including statisticians, accountants and more generalist skills. It is a busy role with significant financial responsibilities, including holding budgets worth a total of £5bn. In addition to a number of distinct policy responsibilities, the postholder plays a vital role in relationship management externally with local authorities and internally with colleagues across the Welsh Government reflecting the importance to local government to the delivery of a wide range of policy and delivery agenda.

The annual financial cycle drives a significant element of the work which involves advising ministers on annual decisions on the funding of local authorities and delivering over £6.6bn in revenue and capital settlements.  Within the local government finance aspects of the role, there is also an ongoing policy role overseeing the financial framework for local government and the reform of the funding formula which distributes the annual revenue settlement.  Beyond this the post leads and oversees work on the local government contribution to mitigating and adapting to climate change.

The post has responsibility for delivery, through the team and with partners within and beyond Welsh Government, of

The core un-hypothecated revenue and capital funding for local government:

The Welsh Government component of the core un-hypothecated revenue funding for the Police in Wales:

Engagement with the Home Office as appropriate including on the implications for Welsh police forces and local council tax payers.

• The legislative and guidance framework for the effective conduct of local government finances.
• The Welsh Government policy towards the funding of local government and the financial health of local government in the round including responsibility for the WG response to critical financial failure or challenge.
• Emergency funding arrangements for local government in the event of significant emergencies.
• Relationships with the finance community in Local Government and the police.
• Strategic approach to Local Government climate change mitigation and adaptation including supporting the leadership and contribution of local government to the Welsh carbon budgets.
• Advising on local government workforce related matters within a context which is largely not devolved. This includes leading on any issues relating to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Developing and maintaining links with relevant UKG and Scottish Government colleagues
• Management and leadership of the division (12) which includes relevant technical disciplines. (statisticians, accountants).
• Contribute appropriately to the wider corporate and policy responsibilities of the Welsh Government

• advising Ministers on the assessment of funding need and risk including engagement with other policy areas and ministers as appropriate on the pressures in specific service areas. 
• delivery of the annual revenue and capital settlements including maintenance and development of arrangements for the fair distribution of revenue and capital funding between local authorities

Notes: In the event of two or more candidates having the same total score, you need measures in place to determine a merit order/which candidate will be appointed.

This could include:

• Consideration of the desirable criteria - Welsh Language
• Weighting the criteria e.g., which candidate had the highest score for Working Together.

Civil Service success profiles relevant to this role are set out below (click Success Profiles - GOV.UK  to view more information on Civil Service Success profiles). 

Your application (personal statement and CV) should set out your evidence in relation to the person specification below (i.e. success profile behaviours and experience listed).

• Leadership: You will embed a culture of inclusion and equal opportunity for all, where the diversity of individuals’ backgrounds and experiences are valued and respected.
• Making Effective Decisions: You will clearly communicate the purpose and reasons for recommendations and decisions
• Working Together: You will proactively create, maintain and promote a strong network of contacts across the organisation and externally
• Communicating and Influencing: You will communicate with conviction and clarity in the face of tough negotiations or challenges

• Excellent judgement and political awareness, providing sound advice to support decision-making under pressure.
• An expert understanding of local government finance, preferably in the Welsh context, and the political sensitivities to which it can give rise.
• Proven analytical skills, with the ability to marshal and deploy evidence and analysis in the development, appraisal and evaluation of policy options.
• Strong programme and project management skills.

We welcome applications in Welsh and English. Applications in either language will be treated equally. If you have an impairment that would prevent you from applying online, please contact SCSRecruitment@gov.wales to request an alternative format or a reasonable adjustment to submit your application.

CV:

We operate name-free recruitment. The selection panel will not see personal information while shortlisting in line with our commitment to end bias and promote equality and diversity. Please remove your name from your CV and personal statement.

Your personal statement will be input into the application system and has a maximum word count of 1,000. Please explain how your professional qualifications, skills, qualities and experience meet the essential criteria included in the person specification.  These are the key behaviours listed above: Leadership; Making Effective Decisions; Working Together and Communicating and Influencing and the four areas listed under ‘experience’. 

Note that desirable criteria may be used at sift or interview stage to differentiate between candidates with tied or closely matched scores.

The Welsh Government is committed to achieving a workforce that reflects the society it serves – at all levels. You will be asked to confirm some diversity information on your application form. Collecting this information enables us to identify whether we are recruiting from the widest possible pool of talent and check that all groups are being treated fairly throughout the process; this form will not be disclosed to anyone involved in assessing your application. If you do not wish to provide a response to a particular question, you select ‘prefer not to say.’ You will not be able to submit your application if you leave any of the questions unanswered.

If shortlisted, you will take part in the following assessments:

These include a discussion with a psychologist via Microsoft Teams. You will receive a link to the online tests within 10 working days after the shortlisting meeting. You do not need to take these tests again if you have completed these tests in the last two years for a role at the same grade.

This exercise gives you the opportunity to present your experience, ideas and views on effective leadership for this role. You will meet with a group of staff via Microsoft Teams who may be future team members, peers, colleagues or stakeholders.