Vacancy -- Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser and Inspector for Wales

Recruitment Principles

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.

Vacancy Details

Education and Public Services
Senior Civil Service 1
Part time

The post is part-time, with a typical commitment of two days per week although flexibility to meet business needs is expected. It is not considered suitable for job sharing.  

Fixed term
The post is advertised on a fixed term basis or on a secondment basis (where you would retain your existing terms and conditions including salary) initially for 2 years, with the potential of an extension for up to a further 2 years by mutual agreement.
Pan Wales
The post holder may work from any of the Welsh Government Offices or from home, for which suitable equipment will be provided. However, regular travel to Cardiff and other locations in Wales will be essential to liaise with Ministers and senior officials, and with the three Welsh Fire and Rescue Authorities. Where travel is necessary, reasonable travel costs will be reimbursed.

Closing Date

25/09/2019, 23:55

Purpose of Post

The Fire Services Branch sits within the Community Safety Division and is part of the Local Government Directorate, which sits within the Education and Public Services (EPS) Group. Fire and rescue services are fully devolved in Wales and the Welsh Government works closely with the three Welsh Fire and Rescue Authorities (FRAs) to bring about safer communities. The Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser and Inspector (CFRAI) for Wales is appointed by Her Majesty in Council under section 28 of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 and is the principal professional adviser within the Welsh Government on fire and rescue matters. The CFRAI’s professional advice supports the Welsh Government in discharging its duties under the 2004 Act.

 The post holder will also be responsible for carrying out certain functions of an "enforcing authority" under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 including the making of arrangements for the inspection of Crown premises.

This is a high profile role that demands drive, strategic thinking and a skill set to deliver a broad range of responsibilities requiring technical, regulatory and policy understanding.

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

Welsh Government accepts the social definition of disability, in which it is recognised that barriers in society act to disable people who have impairments or health conditions or who use British Sign Language. We are committed to removing barriers so that all (or potential new staff) can perform at their best. The Equality Act 2010 uses the medical definition of disability (“a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term impact on a person’s ability to carry out normal day to day activities”).

We guarantee to interview anyone who is disabled whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post. By ‘minimum criteria’ we mean that you must provide us with evidence in your application which demonstrates that you generally meet the level of competence for the role and any qualifications, skills or experience defined as essential. We are committed to the employment and career development of disabled people.

If you have an impairment or health condition, or use British Sign Language and need to discuss reasonable adjustments for any part of this recruitment process, or wish to discuss how we will support you if you were to be successful, please email SharedServiceHelpdesk@gov.wales as soon as possible and a member of the team will contact you to discuss your requirements and any questions you may have.

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.

Assessment Process

How to apply

Completed application form, an up to date CV, together with a personal statement of suitability for the post should be submitted by the closing date.  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 SCSrecruitment@wales.gsi.gov.uk to request an application pack in an alternative format or if you need 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 Senior Civil Service recruitment process within the Welsh Government, please see the SCS Recruitment Guidance for External Candidates (link). Further guidance on Preparing Your Personal Statement (link) is also available.

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

Other information about the vacancy

The post is advertised on a fixed term basis or on a secondment basis (where you would retain your existing terms and conditions including salary)

initially for 2 years, with the potential of an extension for up to a further 2 years by mutual agreement. 

 

Interviews are scheduled for 14 October 2019

Staff Engagement Exercise will be held on 10 October 2019

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Karin Phillips, Deputy Director Community Safety on 0300 025 1447 or email karin.phillips@gov.wales

This vacancy is closed to applications.