Vacancy -- Welsh Revenue Authority - Lead technical caseworker
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
Purpose of Post:
This is a key leadership role at the heart of the WRA operational delivery. The post holder will support the establishment of the WRA’s tax compliance function and will be leading on one of the two taxes devolved to Wales, namely Land Transaction Tax (LTT) or Landfill Disposals Tax (LDT). The individual will have the unique opportunity to shape the WRA’s approach to administering a new tax.
The post holder will lead and develop WRA expertise in their specific tax (either LTT or LDT) and compliance casework, from identifying risk through to resolution, including litigation when appropriate, tackling tax avoidance and evasion and undertaking criminal investigations where necessary.
The post holder will provide leadership and coaching to colleagues across the multi-disciplinary operational delivery team (this may include direct line management), ensuring that detailed knowledge and understanding of the devolved taxes and relevant analytical, investigative and communication skills are developed to provide high standards of operational effectiveness and efficiency. This will include supporting the operational delivery team in resolving more complex tax technical queries.
The post holder will manage key working relationships with external stakeholders such as partners, high profile customers and representatives.
The post holder will work with WRA legal and policy teams to identify and resolve legislative risks, and to develop effective escalation and governance mechanisms, a robust litigation and settlement strategy, and a clear approach to civil and criminal enforcement.
The post holder will also work with colleagues in WRA policy and strategy functions to identify means to maximise voluntary compliance by our customers, a key priority of the organisation’s compliance strategy.
The individual may also interact with wider stakeholders in Welsh Government and other organisations such as HMRC and Revenue Scotland.
The post holder will report into the Head of Operational Delivery who will be part of the Senior Leadership Team. The post holder may be required to present to the Board on an ad-hoc basis.
There are two posts, one post will focus on LTT and the other will focus on LDT. Candidates who have a preference for a specific role are asked to highlight this in their application
Key tasks:
- Provide technical expertise and leadership for WRA’s operational delivery function, specialising in either LTT or LDT, determining approach to compliance risk and advising on deployment of resources. Undertake and advise on civil and criminal casework, including tackling instances of tax avoidance and evasion.
- Lead engagement on operational/compliance issues with external stakeholders & partners. Understand the profile of WRA customers and tax risk, and develop operational strategies to manage and minimise risk accordingly.
- Advise WRA policy function on operational issues arising from implementation of tax policy, and identify wider tax risks so they can be resolved early, maintaining the integrity of the tax system.
- Lead and manage casework to ensure that complex transactions and technical queries are handled promptly and accurately.
- Ensure that taxpayer information is handled confidentially, correctly and efficiently.
- Support training and development of wider operational delivery function, with particular emphasis on building the WRA tax technical and investigative capabilities.
- Embed a culture of continuous improvement and development to ensure that action is taken and recommendations are implemented.
- Ensure effective and flexible deployment of operational resources to address compliance risk and maximise levels of customer service.
- Work with WRA legal function to establish and maintain effective governance over civil and criminal investigation cases, with particular regard to use of criminal powers.
- andIf Service Level Agreements are in place, the post holder will be responsible in ensuring that act in accordance with any Service Level agreements.
Development opportunities:
Closing Date:
Disability Confident
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.
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
- Seeing the Big Picture – Ensures relevant issues relating to their activity/policy area are effectively fed into strategy and big picture considerations.
- Making Effective Decisions - Draw together and present reasonable conclusions from a wide range of incomplete and complex evidence and data – able to act or decide even when details are not clear.
- Building Capability for All – Identify capability requirements needed to deliver future team objectives and support teams to succeed in delivering to meet those needs.
- Delivering Value for Money - Weigh up priority and benefits of different actions and activities to consider how to achieve cost effective outcomes.
Job Specific Criteria
- Experience of leading tax technical casework is required.
- Ability to quickly build expertise in new tax legislation – in this case the LTT or LDT, Anti Avoidance Tax(Wales) Act 2017 and the Tax Collection and Management (Wales) Act 2016. Knowledge of similar taxes to LTT or LDT would be beneficial.
- Experience of managing relationships with high profile customers and resolving complex cases with accuracy and efficiency
Assessment Process
Other Information
During the term of appointment with the Welsh Government it will not be possible to apply for, or move to an alternative post. No successful candidate will remain in the Welsh Government beyond the establishment of the Welsh Revenue Authority.
Whilst the terms and Conditions of the Welsh Revenue Authority have yet to be determined, it is anticipated that they will follow those of the Welsh Government.
The post is available to Civil Service employees recruited through fair and open competition on permanent transfer, staff wishing to transfer on loan for up to two years will be considered.
In accordance with part 2 of the Tax Collection and Management (Wales) Act 2016, all WRA staff are required to sign a Declaration of Confidentiality in relation to personal taxpayer information.
Welsh Language skills are not essential for this post however as the WRA will be a bilingual organisation they have been deemed as desirable. Welsh Language Skills will only be taken into account should two (or more) candidates be awarded the same score at assessment stage of the process. The WRA will be committed to providing suitable support and opportunities for staff members to develop or improve their language skills.
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@wales.gsi.gov.uk 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)
This vacancy is closed to applications.