Vacancy -- Chief Digital Officer

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

Permanent Secretary's Group
Senior Civil Service 2
Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)
Permanent
Pan Wales
The post is Pan Wales and the post holder may work from any of the Welsh Government Offices, although the nature of the post means that the post holder will need to spend time each week in Cardiff, one of those days to be a Friday. There will be an expectation that you will travel across Wales to meet with stakeholders and directorate staff who are dispersed.

Closing Date

11/03/2020, 11:35

Purpose of Post

The core purpose of the post is to deliver the Welsh Government’s agenda for Digital, Data and Technology. The Chief Digital Officer is accountable to the Minister for Finance who has a cross Government responsibility for digital and data. There are digital and data services in every Ministerial portfolio and the Chief Digital Officer provides support to all Ministers with their portfolio digital and data ambitions. The post involves regular direct contact with Ministers and reports directly to the Permanent Secretary

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

All applications for this vacancy will be anonymised at the sift stage. The panel will take into account your personal statement and CV but, these documents should be anonymised when you submit your application.

Shortlisted candidates will undergo online psychometric tests that will include numerical and verbal reasoning and a discussion with a psychologist. You will receive a link to these on-line tests within 10 working days from the shortlisting meeting. The shortlisting meeting will take place on 27 March 2020

If you have completed the online psychometric tests in the last 2 years, for a post at the same grade, it will not be necessary for you to take these tests again for this particular recruitment exercise.

 

Staff Engagement Exercise

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to take part in an engagement exercise with

staff on 20 April 2020. Further details will follow.

 

Briefings

Candidates can expect to attend a one to one meeting with the Cabinet Minister on 23 April.

 

The above activities will form part of the overall assessment required for this recruitment exercise in addition to the selection panel interview.

 

Interviews

Interviews are scheduled for 29 April 2020. They will be held in Welsh Government offices, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ. Interviews will last around 45 minutes.

The panel will receive feedback following your psychometric tests before you are interviewed. Your interview will be a competency based interview that will consider how your skills and experience as outlined in your CV and personal statement meet the requirements for this post. 

If candidates are asked to prepare a presentation for their interview, they will normally be given at least one week’s notice of the topic. Please note that presentations are to be delivered without the use of hand-outs or electronic devices, however, you are welcome to use prompt cards. 

The Selection panel is as follows:

  • Margaret Edwards, Civil Service Commissioner (Chair)
  • Shan Morgan, Permanent Secretary, Welsh Government
  • Peter Kennedy, Director, Corporate Services, Welsh Government
  • Caren Fullerton, Chief Digital Officer, Welsh Government

How to apply

We welcome applications in Welsh and English. Applications in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than those made in English.

Applications should be submitted via the Welsh Government on-line system and submitted no later than 4 March 2020. To apply, you will be asked to register for an account on the on line system using an email address. It is recommended that you select an email address to which only you have access, as this will be our main method of communication with you regarding the selection process.

If you have an impairment that would prevent you from applying on line, please email SCSRecuitment@gov.wales to request an alternative format, or to request a reasonable adjustment related to impairment in order to submit your application.

Other information about the vacancy

29/04/2020

Caren Fullerton - 03000253203 - caren.fullerton@gov.wales

peter.hawkes@harveynash.com  Tel: 0117 313 9552

This vacancy is closed to applications.