Vacancy -- Head of Building Regulations Policy

'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.

The post is responsible for a team of specialist, policy and administrative staff dealing with building control policy underpinned by the Building Act 1984, related secondary legislation notably the Building Regulations 2010 and statutory guidance (Approved Documents). Since the transfer of function to Welsh Ministers in 2012 significant policy changes have included to Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) and Part B (Fire safety) residential fire suppression (sprinklers). Following the Grenfell tragedy and subsequent 2018 Hackitt ‘Building a Safer Future report’ review of building safety Welsh Ministers have embarked on a fundamental programme of change intended to deliver a building control system that provides confidence in the way higher risk buildings are designed, constructed and occupied. Elements of the Building Safety Bill currently before Parliament are intended to deliver that improved system. The Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 embeds sustainability across all areas of Welsh Government business.  Building Regulations has a major role to play in helping to deliver Welsh Government sustainable development and climate change objectives.

The post-holder will responsible for:

• The development and management of a programme of activities for taking forward the objectives of the Building Safety White Paper and Building Safety bill in Wales including drafting secondary legislation, liaison with the HSE as the regulator in England and support activities around developing industry and building control competence and operational standards for building control.
• Management of an annual budget to fund research, expert specialist advice and engagement and publication activities to inform periodic review of Parts A – R of the Building Regulations 2010.
• Management of reviews of building regulations including procuring and commissioning external specialists, establishing industry working groups, public consultation, analysis and response.
• Management of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee for Wales including recruitment and performance appraisal.
• Working with other departments within the Welsh Government and representing Welsh Government interests in a range of intergovernmental activities working with UK Government and the other devolved administrations.
• Oversight of the Welsh Government Sustainable Building funding policy (BREEAM).
• Representing Welsh Government interests in engagement with the construction industry and its institutions.
• Developing an annual programme of work and the management of resources to reflect ministerial priorities.
• Instructing and liaising with Legal Services within Welsh Government over the provision of legal advice and support.
• Providing effective contributions to all aspects of Government Business (including Senedd Questions, Ministerial Correspondence, Submissions etc.) and responding to media interest and providing comprehensive and well informed advice;
• Developing and maintaining productive relationships with all internal/external stakeholders in support of the above objectives, including Ministers and Special Advisers.

• To be involved in the most important development of fire and building safety standards since the 1984 Building Act.
• To develop an understanding of a devolved policy area with close links to the construction industry in Wales and the rest of the UK.
• To develop working relationships with the other UK Administrations as well as external stakeholders.
• To develop policy and legislation skills through direct contact with the development of new legislation.

29/07/2022, 16:00

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:

• UK Visas and Immigration - GOV.UK

• Nationality rules – GOV.UK

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

• 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.

All applications for this vacancy should be made online via the Welsh Government's online application system.  If you have an impairment 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 an impairment 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)

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.