Policy Advisor: Local and Regional Growth

The Wales Office is the face of the UK Government in Wales and the voice of Wales in Westminster. We support the Secretary of State for Wales and his Ministerial team in representing Wales at the heart of Government. We work in partnership with other Government Departments and other stakeholders to deliver a stronger Wales within a strong United Kingdom. This is an important time to be involved in regional growth in Wales, as the United Kingdom union is more of a priority than ever to this Government and the need for Whitehall departments to understand how to work with the devolved administrations in the context of legislative change has never been greater. Our departmental values are Commitment, Collaboration and Quality. These shape how we operate in a challenging, demanding, and fast paced environment which requires flexibility, transparency, and professionalism. The Wales Office has two sites, one in Cardiff and one in Whitehall. The successful candidate will be based in Cardiff, but travel between sites and elsewhere may be required, in order to build relations with policy colleagues and stakeholders. About the team The Local and Regional Growth team oversees governance, assurance and performance monitoring of a range of UK Government investment programmes in Wales. This includes the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal, Swansea Bay City Deal, North Wales Growth Deal and Mid Wales Growth Deal, as well as the Local Growth Fund and Pride in Place Programme. These investments are supporting economic growth, regeneration and opportunity across Wales, and the team works closely with local authorities, delivery partners, Welsh Government and UK Government departments to ensure they deliver their intended outcomes. The team also provides Ministers with policy advice, assurance on programme delivery, value for money and the impact of UK Government investment across Wales. These programmes are at different levels of maturity so provide an excellent opportunity for the successful candidate to follow these workstreams through from concept to delivery., The role is a core position within the Local and Regional Growth team. The post holder will play an integral role in supporting the governance, assurance and delivery of UK Government investment programmes across Wales, whilst progressing the Secretary of State's priorities. You will be expected to build effective relationships across Whitehall and with external stakeholders to support programme delivery and maximise the impact of UK Government investment. You will work at pace to often challenging deadlines, drawing together information from a range of sources and presenting it clearly for Ministers and senior officials. The role will also support the development of approaches to monitor programme performance, track outputs and outcomes, and improve the evidence base used to assess the impact of UK Government investment in Wales., The team undertakes strategic policy, governance, and assurance work, working with other parts of Government and a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, to support the Office in delivering on the Secretary of State's priorities. This role will involve:

• Briefing the Secretary of State or Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in advance of important meetings with external stakeholders.
• Replying to written correspondence from Parliamentarians, external groups, or members of the public, for example.
• Supporting the Secretary of State and Ministers to prepare for Parliamentary engagements, including Welsh Orals sessions in the House of Commons and Committee appearances.
• Collaborating with Whitehall departments and external stakeholders across the Regional Growth Deals within Wales.
• Communicating and managing relationships with Local Authorities, Welsh Government and other UK Government Departments.
• Supporting governance and assurance arrangements for the Local Growth Fund and Pride in Place Programme.
• Monitoring programme delivery and performance across a portfolio of UK Government-funded investments in Wales.
• Developing and maintaining systems, processes and reporting tools to track programme outputs, outcomes and wider economic impacts.
• Analysing programme and performance data to identify trends, risks and opportunities, and presenting findings clearly to Ministers and senior officials.
• Supporting the collection, validation and reporting of investment data, including metrics such as expenditure, jobs created, private sector investment leveraged and other agreed programme outputs.
This list is not intended to be exhaustive, and it is likely that duties may be altered from time to time in the light of changing circumstances and after consultation with the postholder., The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity. Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone's circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review. For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) - See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity). For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location's respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended). Some of MoJ's terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made. MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer. All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet. Flexible working hours The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ's Flexible Working policy., A sift based on the lead behaviour, Communicating and Influencing, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered. Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit 250 Communicating and Influencing Delivering at Pace Experience We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods Statement of Suitability Evidence of Experience Statement of SuitabilityInterview stage assessments Interview Dates Interviews expected November 2026 Behaviours Communicating and Influencing Delivering at Pace Working Together Managing a Quality Service Strengths Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here. Level of security checks required Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)

You will be an experienced policy official and effective at briefing others. You will be well organised and able to deliver at pace. You will be capable of learning new policy areas quickly. You will have well-honed interpersonal skills to establish rapport with stakeholders quickly and have the confidence to provide challenge to colleagues where appropriate.,
• Given the need to cover a complex, challenging and wide policy portfolio you will need to show experience of working in an environment where a multi-tasking approach and the need for prioritisation has been required.
• Demonstrable experience of giving effective policy advice to senior stakeholders through both oral and written briefing and correspondence.
• Clear evidence of experience of working in a time pressured environment.
• Excellent written and oral business communication skills.
• Experience of using data and evidence to monitor performance, measure outcomes and support policy or programme delivery.
Desirable:
• Experience of developing reporting processes, dashboards or data tracking systems.
• Experience of analysing and interpreting quantitative data to assess programme performance and impact.
• Written and verbal Welsh language skills are highly desirable, but not essential.
  
  The Wales Office is not an employer in its own right. Staff recruited to work at the Wales Office will be employees of the Ministry of Justice who provide employment services on our behalf.
This role requires CTC level clearance. Applicants for National Security Clearance (CTC) must be resident in the UK for 3 years immediately prior to their application for Security Clearance. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years), you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why. If you do not meet the above requirement, you may still be considered for the role if, for example:
• You have been serving overseas with HM Armed Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government.
• You were studying abroad.
• You were living overseas with parents., The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
A Great Place to Work for Veterans The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces. For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

The MoJ offers a range of benefits: Annual Leave Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years' service. There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis. Pension The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best. Training The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities. Networks The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees. Support
• A range of 'Family Friendly' policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
• For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
• To Transformative Business Services (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk);
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)
As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.