Vacancy -- Assistant Fire and Rescue Advisor

Working for the Civil Service

The Welsh Government's recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

Vacancy Details

Education and Public Services
Fire Services Branch
Grade 7 - £53,440 - £63,900
£49,284 per annum plus 20% flexible duty allowance
Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)
Secondment
2 years with a possible extension for a further 12 months
Pan Wales
'Pan Wales' means that the location in which the vacancy can be based is flexible, subject to the needs of the business. Please note it may not always be possible to accommodate a preference for a specific office location, but requests will be taken into consideration.
To be confirmed

Purpose of Post:

The Assistant Fire and Rescue Advisor (AFRA), is a full time post within the Welsh Government’s Fire Services Branch, filled by a secondee from the Fire and Rescue Service. The main purpose of the post is to provide support to the Chief Fire and Rescue Advisor and Inspector for Wales (CFRAW) and to provide advice directly to the Welsh Government in developing policy for the Fire & Rescue Services in Wales. It is therefore essential that candidates have wide experience within fire and rescue services.

The role will entail providing professional and technical advice to Welsh Government officials and Ministers on fire and rescue related issues. The postholder will, through liaison with appropriate personnel in the three Fire and Rescue Services and other stakeholders as appropriate, contribute heavily to the development of Welsh Government guidance, policy and legislation.

The post holder will work within the Fire Services Branch as part of a team and will report to the Chief Fire and Rescue Advisor. S/he will be seconded to the Welsh Government for the duration of the post, by agreement with their employing Fire and Rescue Authority.

Key tasks:

Providing professional and technical advice to the Cabinet Secretary and Welsh Government officials on the development and implementation of strategic policy documents and legislation. This will cover issues relating to Prevention, Protection and Response services, as well as resilience and issues of corporate governance, workforce development and performance management.

Managing and providing support and guidance to the Crown premises Inspector for Wales (CPIW). Reporting to the CFRA on Crown premises Inspections and Enforcement. Agreeing an annual programme of inspections with the CFRA and CPIW. Interacting with Crown Premises Inspection Group (CPIG) and the Home Office. Reporting to the CFRA on all Crown Premises matters.

Identifying good practice in the planning, management and delivery of fire and rescue services, promoting its adoption in Wales, and providing other forms of advice, support and challenge to the three Welsh FRAs.

Supporting the development, implementation and review of performance management systems, including improvement planning, performance indicators and future of Operational Assurance of Service Delivery.

Maintain effective links with those involved in the development and implementation of FRS improvement/reform programmes in the other UK nations.

Providing a point of contact and support for the National Resilience Co-ordinator for Wales and monitoring current and emerging issues around resilience provision to provide assurance to Welsh Government officials and the Cabinet Secretary.

In support of the above, maintaining effective contacts with the Service in Wales and beyond, and with relevant professional networks.

Providing direct support to the CFRA including representation at meetings or formal events as required.

Development opportunities:

The post holder will have the opportunity to contribute directly to the development and implementation of fire policy at a national level, and will acquire a greater understanding of how strategic decisions relating to the Fire and Rescue Service are made as part of a wider policy and political agenda. This will include direct contact with Welsh Government Ministers and officials, FRA Chairs, Chief Fire Officers and other senior stakeholders, both locally and nationally. The post therefore offers an ideal development opportunity for those with the potential and aspiration to move into senior strategic leadership roles within the Service. Previous assistant advisors now hold senior management positions, up to and including Chief Fire Officer, in some of the largest Services in the UK.

The Chief Fire and Rescue Advisor will maintain regular communication with the post holder and their home service to ensure that development during the secondment is recognised and valued.

Closing Date:

10/08/2018, 16:00

Eligibility

Posts recruited to as part of this recruitment campaign are broadly open to UK nationals, those with right to remain and work in the UK and those that meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules only. Check your eligibility here:

Prior to appointment, all successful applicants will be required to produce original, acceptable documents as part of the pre-employment checks. If it becomes apparent at a later stage in the process that you aren’t eligible to apply, your application will be withdrawn, or offer retracted.

Equality and Diversity

The Welsh Government is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and which promote equality of opportunity. This is underpinned by the Equality Act 2010 and will be adhered to at each stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure that these commitments are also embedded in our day-to-day working practices with all our customers, colleagues and partners.

We are committed to being an anti-racist organisation and increasing diversity in the Welsh Government by removing barriers and supporting all our staff to reach their potential. We are committed to recruiting Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people and disabled people who are currently under-represented in Welsh Government.

We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, marriage and civil partnership (both same sex and opposite sex), impairment or health condition, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, gender identity or gender expression.

We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion and a Disability Confident Level 3 (Leader) organisation. Key to supporting this work and providing peer support are five Board sponsored Staff Networks (Disability Awareness and Support (DAAS); Minority Ethnic Support Network (MESN); Mind Matters (Mental health and well-being); PRISM (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex +) and Women Together.

Disability Confident

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

Welsh Language Requirements

The Welsh Government is a bilingual organisation and Welsh language skills are considered an asset to the organisation. We encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills in the workplace. 

The following list of language requirements represents an objective assessment by the line manager on behalf of the Welsh Government of the Welsh language skills required to undertake the duties of this particular post.

Not necessary to undertake the duties of this post

Social Partnership

In Welsh Government, the relationship between the employer and trade unions is based on social partnership. We believe our goals can best be achieved by management and trade unions working together.

Our 3 recognised trade unions are:
•         PCS
•         Prospect
•         FDA

This relationship is underpinned by a partnership agreement. This sets out how our unions work with Welsh Government on issues such as:
•         pay
•         terms and conditions
•         policies and procedures
•         organisational change.

Our Welsh Government trade union colleagues work together to give their members a real say in the workplace. They make sure that the interests of their members are promoted and protected. They also help reduce inequalities and improve terms and conditions.

The Welsh Government has an excellent track record of working in partnership with its trade unions. We encourage staff to get involved. We support you to join a recognised trade union, to ensure your voice is heard in the workplace. and to learn more about trade unions and partnership working.

Competencies / Job Specific Criteria

Strategic Cluster – Setting Direction

Seeing the Big Picture – Political/Organisational Awareness – recognises the potential political impact and implications of actions from a strategic perspective.

Changing and Improving – Openness to Change – proactively supports change, seeking opportunities to promote improved organisational effectiveness

People Cluster – Engaging People

Leading and Communicating – Effective Communication – communicates effectively both orally and in writing

Collaborating and Partnering – Working with Others – leads, involves and motivates others both within the Fire and Rescue Service and in the community

Performance Cluster – Delivering Results

Managing a Quality Service – Problem solving – understands and applies relevant information to make appropriate decisions which reflect key priorities and requirements


Job Specific Criteria

A high standard of operational, technical and professional knowledge about fire and rescue services is essential, based on current service at Group Manager level anywhere in the UK. Service with a Welsh FRA is not required, although a broad understanding of the Welsh operating and policy context would be an advantage.

The postholder must have a thorough understanding of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.


Professions
Applications are invited from Group Manager B/Competent staff currently employed by any Fire and Rescue Service in the UK.

Assessment Process

Other Information

  • Unless stated otherwise in ‘actual starting salary’, all candidates will start at the minimum of the pay scale being appointed to (this includes existing civil servants).This is not negotiable.
  • Unless stated otherwise in ‘type of opportunity’, this recruitment advert is not open on a Loan or Secondment basis.
  • For more information on the eligibility criteria and terms and conditions for Loan and Secondment positions in Welsh Government, please see external recruitment candidate guidance.
  • Unless stated otherwise in ‘Location of Post’ the role/s recruited to via this campaign can only be worked in the UK, not overseas.
Steve Pomeroy - 0300 062 8219

How to apply

All applications for this vacancy should be made online via the Welsh Government's online application system.  If you have a disability which would prevent you from applying on-line, please e-mail SharedServiceHelpdesk@gov.wales to request an application pack in an alternative format, or to request a reasonable adjustment related to a disability in order to submit your application.

To apply, you'll need to have an account on our online application system.  Click the 'Apply' button below, and you'll be asked to 'Log in' if you already have an account, or 'Register' if you don't yet have an account.  Registration takes just a few minutes to complete.  You'll need an e-mail address to be able to register.  Once you've registered for an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the online application form, which you'll need to fully complete and submit before the deadline on the closing date.  

If you’d like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the ‘Newid Iaith / Change Language’ link at the top of this page, to take you to the Welsh version of this advert, from which you can apply in Welsh.

For further information regarding the Welsh Government recruitment process, please see the Recruitment Guidance for External Candidates (link).

When evidencing your suitability for the post, it is recommended that you refer to the Civil Service Competency Framework (link)

Grievance and Complaints

Anyone who believes they have been treated unfairly, or has a grievance or complaint, about how the process was conducted should either write to the Head of Resourcing, Welsh Government, Cathays Park 2, Cardiff CF10 3NQ or email SharedServiceHelpdesk@gov.wales.  If you are unhappy with the outcome of the complaint raised with the Welsh Government and feel that the principles of appointment on merit through fair and open competition have not been met you have the right to pursue your grievance with the Civil Service Commission.

This vacancy is closed to applications.