Vacancy -- Independent Member (3 x Welsh Desirable, 3 x Welsh Essential) - Adnodd

Vacancy details

Adnodd
Virtual with the possibility of physical meetings in a central location to all board members in the future
£92 per day plus travel. Other reasonable expenses that might be incurred in carrying out work on behalf of the company may also be claimed
3
month

Function of body

The lack of relevant, timely and adequate resources to support the introduction of the reformed qualifications in 2015 led to concerns being raised about the availability of resources in both languages for the new curriculum. The ‘Welsh and bilingual resources summit’ held in Spring 2017 explored the issues relating to delivering resources which were relevant to Wales and its new curriculum in both languages simultaneously. A stakeholders group was established to develop a vision and agree on an infrastructure for the future production of bilingual educational resources. 

The provision of purposeful, high quality and timely educational teaching and learning materials is a critical element in ensuring the credibility of the curriculum, and in securing the necessary commitment from practitioners to realise it. Curriculum for Wales is innovative, ambitious and challenging and therefore demands a radically different and equally ambitious approach to the development of resources and supporting materials as it is embedded over the years ahead. Minister for Education and Welsh Language agreed to the group’s recommendation of establishing an arm’s length entity with a Board accountable to Welsh Ministers.

Adnodd was incorporated as a Welsh Government subsidiary company limited by guarantee on 12 July 2022.

Significant volumes of resources are currently commissioned but there is a need for this to be more strategically coordinated and there is also room for budgets and expertise available nationally to be used more effectively. Without a national strategic process, efforts can be duplicated, parity in provision in Welsh and English is not ensured and not all resources are quality assured. 

This company will provide opportunities for stakeholders from across sectors to work together, to share expertise and experience and develop the capacity of schools and practitioners in creating resources that support their local curriculum. It will be an easily recognisable ‘go-to’ service that will facilitate co-construction between teachers and other stakeholders, ensuring that talent is recognised, nurtured and developed. Linked to the work of the National Network for curriculum implementation, it will ensure that resources and supporting materials are developed in line with the principles and the ethos of the new curriculum and that they support the role of schools and practitioners as curriculum designers. It will also invest in skills and capacity within the publishing sector, ensuring a fully joined up approach. 

Our vision

To enable learners, practitioners and parents/carers in Wales to access high quality educational resources and supporting materials, in both Welsh and English, to support the learning and teaching of Curriculum for Wales and its qualifications. 

We will:

-    Ensure that relevant, timely resources and supporting materials are available in both Welsh and English, at the same time, to support the Curriculum for Wales and its qualifications.
-    Provide a strategic oversight to the provision and commissioning of resources ensuring that resources and supporting materials are responsive to the needs identified by the education sector
-    Facilitate closer working across sectors to ensure co-construction of resources to maximise expertise, knowledge and skills
-    Provide a quality assurance framework for the commissioning, development and production of resources, ensuring that resources developed are in line with the ethos and core principles of Curriculum for Wales and are fit for purpose
-    Develop and invest in skills and capacity in creating, sharing and publishing educational resources in Wales.
-    Ensure value-for-money, making effective use of budgets and resources.
-    Advance the effective promotion, awareness and use of resources.

Role description

Role and responsibilities
This is an exciting opportunity to join a new company’s Board responsible for ensuring the provision of Welsh and English teaching and learning resources to support the curriculum and qualifications in Wales.

Board members will:
•    support the Chair in setting the strategic direction for Adnodd;
•    monitor and scrutinise Adnodd’s progress in delivering objectives, helping to drive performance and providing challenge where necessary;
•    ensure effective arrangements are in place to provide assurance on governance, financial management and risk, including information security, audit and internal controls in accordance with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements and, where relevant, codes of practice or other guidance relevant to the sector; and
•    represent Adnodd externally and foster close working relationships with key stakeholders  
•    promote the Nolan principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honest and leadership.

Board members will be accountable to the Chair who will conduct their annual performance appraisals. 

Welsh language skills

The Welsh Government acknowledges the importance of developing and growing bilingual capabilities in public appointments in Wales, and welcomes applications from candidates who demonstrate their capability to work in both English and Welsh.  The following list of language requirements represents an objective assessment by the recruiting body of the Welsh language skills required to undertake the duties of this particular post.
Desirable
Can read simple material on everyday topics with understanding
Can write simple work-related correspondence
Can understand basic conversations about everyday topics
Can hold simple work-related conversations

Person specification

To be considered, you must be able to demonstrate that you have the qualities, skills and experience to meet all the essential criteria for appointment.
Essential criteria
•    Knowledge, skills and/ or experience in one or more of the following areas:
-    Education
-    Publishing or elearning
-    Human resources Financial management 
-    Legal  
-    Audit and/or risk management 
-    Media and communications. 

•    The ability to make decisions and contribute effectively on strategic and practical issues.
•    Excellent communication skills with the ability to represent Adnodd in public and engage with key stakeholders.
•    Understanding of the culture and heritage of Wales and a commitment to ensuring that, along with its language, the Welsh context is reflected in the working of Adnodd.
•    A commitment to and understanding of promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.

Welsh Language 
Welsh language skills are essential for at least three Board members. You should note your Welsh language skills in your application. Interviews for the Welsh essential posts will be conducted through the medium of Welsh.

Interview dates

10 October 2022
15 October 2022

Closing date

02/09/2022, 16:00

Additional information

For further information regarding the role of Adnodd and the role of Member(s) please contact Ann Evans: 

Tel: 03000253833

Email: ann.evans3@gov.wales 

Or if contacting during 28 July – 9 August please contact IsadranYGymraeg.WelshLanguageDivision@gov.wales 

If you need any further assistance in applying for this role, please contact  publicappointments@gov.wales. 

For further information about Public Appointments in Wales, please visit www.gov.wales/publicappointments

How to apply

To apply for this role, click on the ‘Apply’ button below. The first time you apply for a post, you will need to complete a registration form for the Welsh Government’s online application system.  You will only need to register once, and you will be able to keep yourself updated on the progress of your application, and any other applications you make, via your registered account.

Once you’ve registered, you’ll be able to access the application form.  To apply you will need to submit two supporting documents. The first, a document outlining how your knowledge, skills and experiences meet the criteria for the role as outlined in the information for candidates.  This document should be no more than 2 sides of A4.  Your application may be rejected if you exceed this limit.  The second document is a full, up to date CV.  The two documents should be uploaded to the ‘Reasons for applying’ section of the online application form.

In your application, you will also be asked to provide details of any activities which have helped you to develop skills that would be useful in a public appointment role, and list the organisations for which you undertook these activities.  We also need to know about any political activity that you’ve undertaken over the last 5 years. 

It is recommended that you register for an account and access the application form as soon as possible so that you see how the application form is structured, before starting to prepare your evidence.  You don’t have to complete the application form all in one go.  You can save your responses, and log in and out as required, until you’re ready to submit – just follow the guidance in the application form.

If you’d like to apply for this opportunity 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.

If you need any further assistance in applying for this role, please contact the Welsh Government’s Public Appointments Team on 

 PublicAppointments@gov.wales

For further information about Public Appointments in Wales, please visit www.gov.wales/publicappointments

This vacancy is closed to applications.