Vacancy -- Deputy Director Land Division

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 1
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

Closing Date

18/11/2019, 23:55

Purpose of Post

The Deputy Director for Land Division is a new strong external facing high profile role that requires professional expertise and excellence to provide advice to Ministers on the welsh public sector land and buildings asset portfolio. It will provide the appropriate strategic direction, oversight and guidance to ensure the assets held in the name of Welsh Ministers are managed efficiently and effectively making a difference to the way that property is managed for the people of Wales.

The Deputy Director for Land Division will lead on the Strategic Asset Management agenda and deliver a step change in the development of public sector land for public policy benefit across Wales. The Deputy Director will lead on the ambition to increase the pace and scale of the work already being taken forward under the ‘Ystadau Cymru’ (formerly known as National Asset Working Group) banner; working with public sector organisations to improve the management and make the best use of the welsh public estate. The public sector estate in Wales has a value of circa £12bn and is now recognised as a key resource for delivering public services and supporting economic growth, health and wellbeing, as well as playing an important role in protecting the environment.

The Deputy Director will lead a Division tasked to deliver Welsh Government priorities to accelerate the development of public sector land for public policy benefit and in particular to facilitate an increase in the number of affordable homes built across Wales.

As well as having an important role in respect of the wider public sector, the Deputy Director will also lead on the Welsh Government’s Corporate Asset Management Strategy for land and buildings and provide the appropriate strategic direction, oversight and guidance to ensure the assets held in the name of Welsh Ministers are managed efficiently and effectively.

The Deputy Director will work closely with internal stakeholders across other Welsh Government departments and externally throughout the UK to raise awareness of the contribution that the public sector land and buildings asset base can make to the delivery of policy agendas.

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

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@gov.wales 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

You will be expected to demonstrate achievement in senior management together with Experience in the property market and qualified to RICS or equivalent; Please attach CPD record for the past three full years (2016, 2017 & 2018)

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. 

Please note that if you are a Civil Servant and applying for this vacancy on a lateral basis you will not be required to undergo on line psychometric tests.

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to take part in an engagement exercise with staff (mid November). Details will follow.

Interviews are scheduled for Tuesday 14 January 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.

January 14 2020
Peter Kennedy - Peter.Kennedy@gov.wales / 03000 251659

This vacancy is closed to applications.