Vacancy -- Welsh Language Commissioner
Vacancy details
salary is subject to tax and national insurance and
is pensionable.
Function of body
status of the Welsh language in Wales, created a new regulatory system of Welsh
language standards, and created the role of the Welsh Language Commissioner
(“the Commissioner”). The appointment of the Commissioner is made by the First
Minister.
The term of office of the Commissioner is 7 years and is non-renewable.
Role description
(i) Promoting and facilitating the increase of Welsh language services, and other
opportunities to use Welsh
(ii) To work towards ensuring that the Welsh language is treated no less
favourably than the English language and that persons in Wales should be
able to live their lives through the medium of the Welsh language if they
choose to do so
(iii) To encourage best practice and to offer assistance to bodies in relation to
mainstreaming the Welsh language in policy development, with the aim of
increasing the use of Welsh, increasing opportunities for persons to use the
language, and ensuring that Welsh is not treated less favourably than English
(iv) To be responsible for regulating the Welsh Language standards system.
Approximately 120 bodies are currently required to comply with standards.
This work includes:
Give compliance notices to bodies that come under standards, and consult on
a draft version of a notice
monitoring the performance of bodies in accordance with the duties imposed
on them and keep under review compliance notices, varying and revoking
them as appropriate
issue codes of practice for the purpose of providing practical guidance to
bodies with respect to the requirements of standards
determine on applications for the Commissioner to decide whether the
requirement to comply with the relevant standards is unreasonable or
disproportionate
publish decision notices following investigations into complaints of non-compliance with relevant standards,
in accordance with the enforcement policy
deal with complainants, service providers, the Welsh Language Tribunal and
any other parties involved in any appeals procedure
create and maintain a register of enforcement action detailing all
investigations, outcomes and any appeals to the Welsh Language Tribunal
(v) Following an application by an individual, consider investigating cases where
there is an alleged attempt to interfere with the freedom of Welsh speakers to
use the language with one another, and determine on cases which are
investigated
(vi) To keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness of the law relating to
the Welsh language and to advise Welsh Ministers on any changes that may
be required
(vii) To work collaboratively with the Public Services Ombudsman Wales and other
ombudsmen and commissioners as appropriate
(viii) To contribute to the process of appointing an Advisory Panel and to consult
with the Panel in exercising his or her duties
(ix) To produce a 5-year report focusing on the position of the Welsh language
over that period. A copy of the report must be laid before the Senedd
(x) To produce an annual report including, amongst other matters, a summary of
the action taken in the exercise of the Commissioner’s functions and his/her
proposals for a work programme for the following year. A copy of the annual
report must be laid before the Senedd
(xi) To conduct and commission research into the Welsh language
(xii) To play an active role in the international network of language commissioners,
and to share best practice and implement best practice from other countries
where appropriate
(xiii) To make recommendations or representations, or give advice, to any person
including the Welsh Ministers in connection with any of his or her functions.
(xiv) To lead and manage the Office of the Welsh Language Commissioner and
appoint a Deputy Welsh Language Commissioner
(xv) To act as Accounting Officer and be responsible for ensuring the efficient
financial management of the Commissioner’s Office and preparing accounts of
expenditure and estimates of income and expenses as required. The
Commissioner will be responsible for an annual budget of around £3million
(xvi) To create and maintain a register of interests of each relevant office holder.
Welsh language skills
Person specification
Proven leadership qualities.
Experience of organisational design and development
Knowledge of Welsh language policy issues; an understanding of the issues
facing Welsh speakers and learners; and a commitment to increasing the use
of Welsh.
Excellent interpersonal skills in Welsh and English and the ability to work
effectively through the medium of Welsh in all kinds of situations including
working with a wide range of people such as Ministers, senior representatives
of both private and public bodies, and engaging with members of the public.
Experience of dealing and talking with the press and media.
Credibility at a level which will command the confidence and respect of the
Welsh Government, Senedd Members, local government, public, private and
third sector organisations and the public.
Proven ability to work effectively in partnership with stakeholders and external
bodies to resolve difficult issues satisfactorily.
Strong financial and people management and governance experience.
A clear understanding and commitment to equality issues and to Nolan’s
‘Seven Principles of Public Life’.
Interview dates
Closing date
Additional information
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.
This vacancy is closed to applications.