Vacancy -- National Advice Network Manager - Merthyr Tydfil or Cardiff

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.

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Vacancy Details

Local Government & Communities
Communities
Executive Band 2 - £46,550 - £55,500
£46,550
Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)
Secondment
1 year intially, with the possibility of extending up to 2 years
Cardiff, South East Wales
13 October 2014

Purpose of Post:

To manage and support the work of the National Advice Network (NAN) which will be established by the Welsh Government in 2014. The post will be for 1 year, initially, with the possibility of an extension for a further year should the NAN prove effective and successful.

 

The purpose of the NAN will be to bring together key stakeholders from amongst not-for-profit and private advice providers operating in Wales; funders of advice services in Wales and representatives from related services (for example Credit Unions and the Health Service) to start developing a common vision and more strategic approach to the way advice services are planned and delivered in Wales. It is anticipated that the NAN will meet 4 times per year. Central to the work of the Network will be the needs of service users and ensuring that services are designed to effectively meet those needs within the context of Welfare Reform and cuts in legal aid and other sources of funding to support advice services.

 

The successful applicant will have experience of working within the advice sector in Wales and will ideally have first hand experience of providing advice to clients and of managing services to clients. The successful applicant will have a sound understanding of the challenges currently facing the advice sector in Wales and will be familiar with the findings and recommendations of the Welsh Government’s Advice Service Review and aware of the latest research findings in relation to the demand for advice services and the impact of Welfare Reform on service users. The successful candidate will have experience of successfully managing projects and staff and of delivering results within agreed timescales. They will also have strong oral and written communication skills and influencing skills and be able to command the respect of the Chair of the Network and of Network members.

Key tasks:

  • To work with Welsh Ministers; Welsh Government staff; the Chair of the National Advice Network and a range of stakeholders from amongst not-for-profit and private advice providers, funders of advice services and representatives from related services to develop a common and more strategic approach to the way advice services are planned and delivered in Wales;

 

  • To act as the main point of contact between the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty and the National Advice Network and its Chair; ensuring that the Minister is regularly updated on the work of the NAN and that key priorities are discussed;

 

  • To review the effectiveness of, and “value added” by the NAN, and report on findings to the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty;

 

  • To consider and advise the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty on the future development of the National Advice Network and its potential role in supporting more Regional or Local Advice Networks;

 

  • To play the lead role in the establishment and development of the Network by providing all secretariat duties (with support from the Financial Inclusion Team as appropriate) , including preparation and planning of meetings; commissioning of information and papers in a timely manner; providing minutes of meetings and providing comprehensive steering briefs for the Chair of the National Advice Network;

 

  • To work with the Chair and Network members to develop clearly defined and agreed Terms of Reference, together with a work programme and tangible objectives;

 

  • Ensuring that the NAN is clear about its role in relation to other key stakeholder groups for example the Independent Advice Providers Forum and in relation to any local advice networks and ensuring that there is effective communication between these and the NAN;

 

  • Supporting (and leading on some) work which the NAN may wish to undertake, for example developing a Strategy for Information and Advice in Wales; undertaking research and evaluation or promoting efforts to improve the overall quality of information and advice in Wales and achieving greater consistency in terms of measuring outcomes across the advice sector;

 

  • To engage effectively with NAN Members; key stakeholders; Welsh Government and other funders of advice services in order to achieve the Network’s objectives;

 

  • To identify opportunities for greater collaboration between providers, with the ultimate aim of improving the client’s experience and the quality and effectiveness of the advice provided;

 

  • To share and disseminate good practice and encourage the sharing and development of innovative ways of providing advice;

 

  • To work with key stakeholders to identify new sources of funding, and influence existing sources of funding, to secure the long term future of the Network.

Development opportunities:

The post is within the Financial Inclusion Unit of Communities Division, based in the Department for Local Government and Communities. The Financial Inclusion Unit is responsible for leading on financial inclusion activity across the Welsh Government and for ensuring this work takes into account UK Government activity. Key areas of work include the Discretionary Assistance Fund, Credit Unions and the implementation of the recommendations of the Review of Advice Services published in May 2013.

 

This post provides an excellent opportunity to support one of the key recommendations of the Advice Service Review which is to develop a National Advice Network in Wales, potentially resulting in Regional or Local Advice Networks in due course. This work is a key priority for the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty. It is a high-profile and challenging role involving working with Ministers, a range of Welsh Government officials and key stakeholders from across the advice service sector. This role represents a real opportunity to demonstrate effective leadership and bring about positive change, not only in respect of the way services are planned and coordinated but more importantly in terms of the experience of service users in Wales.

Closing Date:

26/09/2014, 16:00

Eligibility

Posts recruited to as part of this recruitment campaign are broadly open to UK nationals, those with right to remain and work in the UK and those that meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules only. Check your eligibility here:

Prior to appointment, all successful applicants will be required to produce original, acceptable documents as part of the pre-employment checks. If it becomes apparent at a later stage in the process that you aren’t eligible to apply, your application will be withdrawn, or offer retracted.

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

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.

Desirable
Can read some basic words and phrases with understanding
Can hold a basic conversation in Welsh
Can understand parts of a basic conversation
Can write basic messages on everyday topics

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

Strategic Cluster – Setting Direction

Changing and Improving: Effectively capture, utilise and share customer insight and views from a diverse range of stakeholders to ensure better policy and delivery. 

 

People Cluster – Engaging People

Leading and Communicating: Be visible to staff and stakeholders and regularly undertake activities to engage and build trust with people involved in area of work.

 

Performance Cluster – Delivering Results

Managing a Quality Service: Ensure the service offer thoroughly considers customers’ needs and a broad range of available methods to meet this, including new technology where relevant.

Delivering at Pace: Get the best out of people by giving enthusiastic and encouraging messages about priorities, objectives and expectations.

 

Job specific criteria:


1. A sound understanding of the challenges facing the advice service sector in Wales – now and in the future.

2. Knowledge of the findings and recommendations of the Welsh Government Advice Service Review Report and of other key publications.

3. Evidence of having successfully introduced change, leading to better outcomes and/or better value for money.

Assessment Process

Other Information

  • Unless stated otherwise in ‘actual starting salary’, all candidates will start at the minimum of the pay scale being appointed to (this includes existing civil servants).This is not negotiable.
  • Unless stated otherwise in ‘type of opportunity’, this recruitment advert is not open on a Loan or Secondment basis.
  • For more information on the eligibility criteria and terms and conditions for Loan and Secondment positions in Welsh Government, please see external recruitment candidate guidance.
  • Unless stated otherwise in ‘Location of Post’ the role/s recruited to via this campaign can only be worked in the UK, not overseas.
1 year initially, with possibility of extending up to 2 years
Catrin Davies - Telephone 07773344394

How to apply

Grievance and Complaints

Anyone who believes they have been treated unfairly, or has a grievance or complaint, about how the process was conducted should either write to the Head of Resourcing, Welsh Government, Cathays Park 2, Cardiff CF10 3NQ or email SharedServiceHelpdesk@gov.wales.  If you are unhappy with the outcome of the complaint raised with the Welsh Government and feel that the principles of appointment on merit through fair and open competition have not been met you have the right to pursue your grievance with the Civil Service Commission.

This vacancy is closed to applications.