Deputy Director of Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy

Welsh Government

Wales, UK

Hybrid

Expires: Expiring in less than 3 weeks

Environmental

Full time

£86,000 - £105,000 per year

Job summary

The role is a high profile and exciting opportunity to work in an area of both growing strategic importance and one which is responsible for significant direct delivery. There is a considerable opportunity to directly influence and deliver change across government, in partnership with Local Government and with a wide range of stakeholders. The circular economy is a devolved area of policy, with a significant role in the joint development and delivery of UK-wide action, which includes issues at the cutting edge of post EU-exit arrangements including the challenges associated with the UK Internal Market Act.

Building on Wales’ successful track record in this area, the post-holder will take over leadership at a critical time with the new Government’s commitments in relation to embedding cross-government action on climate and nature. With the circular economy covering around half of total emissions and 90 per cent of global biodiversity loss associated with the extraction and consumption of materials, the circular economy has a fundamental role in its delivery. The area is also growing significantly in importance, both within Wales, the UK and internationally. This is not just about the environmental importance of action – keeping materials in use reduces supply chain vulnerabilities and matters to national security – there is also a significant economic opportunity, and one which will be grounded in local communities. This is particularly true for Wales, which is already recognised globally as an exemplar.

The post-holder has the responsibility not just for driving and coordinating the development and delivery of the Welsh Government’s circular economy action (and associated governance), but acts as the Welsh Senior Responsible Officer for the joint Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for packaging and the development of future proposals to deliver on the Welsh Government’s manifesto commitment to the polluter pays principle. This includes work to drive innovation and maximise the economic benefits to Wales, support a just transition and drive action to support vulnerable communities in a cost-of-living crisis.

They will have to provide direct leadership to a team which is in the process of expanding to around 40 people, alongside indirect leadership to colleagues within and stakeholders outside of Welsh Government, including UK Government.

Job description

This is a full-time post in the Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Directorate reporting to Rhodri Asby. Rhodri is part of Claire Bennett’s senior team in the Local Government, Housing, Rural Resilience and Sustainability Group. Working with successful and award-winning team, the role includes:

Lead a growing team of ~40 people working flexibly across a broad spread of responsibilities and provide opportunities for everyone to contribute and be recognised for their contribution.
Build and maintain the trust and confidence of Ministers, ensuring the Government’s key commitments and wider work programme are delivered, including implementing Senedd legislation.
Lead the development of policy and delivery of circular economy action both within the Division, across government and in partnership with key stakeholders including Local Authorities.
Oversee the Welsh Government’s implementation of a complex programme of domestic and joint UK-wide delivery, including recycling reforms, Extended Producer Responsibility Schemes for materials like packaging and the delivery of a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers.
Lead the engagement with key stakeholders, building on the successful partnership approach in this area with Local Authorities and including high profile, politically sensitive areas such as DRS.
Oversee the Circular Economy Fund (~£40m capital) which supports Local Authorities, the wider public sector and businesses to transition. This includes responsibility of the Circular Economy Infrastructure Pipeline of investment in Local Authority services to improve recycling, mainstream reuse, decarbonise and improve climate resilience.
Build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues working in UK and other devolved Governments.
As the SRO for Wales, lead the Welsh Government’s input into joint UK / four nations delivery programmes – including the Executive Committee overseeing PackUK, Digital Waste Tracking and lead for Welsh Government for the Waste and Resources Common Framework, and UK / EU engagement relating to the circular economy.
Oversee the programme of legislative reform to further improve recycling, support the mainstreaming of reuse and address waste crime.
Overall responsibility for waste policy, including landfills and hazardous waste and undertaking an important civil contingencies role with respect to waste when required. Incident response may require action outside normal working hours.
Maximise contribution to effective delivery of the existing policies for climate and nature and development of future plans working closely with colleagues on the critical role of the circular economy in tackling the climate and nature emergency
Ensure effective arrangements are in place to manage a budget of around ~£75m per year (revenue + capital) to deliver policy priorities, including oversight of key delivery partners, such as Local Partnerships, WRAP, FareShare, Repair Café Wales and Benthyg, overseeing their work programmes and ensuring value for money.
Encourage innovation and provide challenge across departments and sectors to transition to a circular economy as a crucial element of the Welsh Government’s commitment to cross-government action to address the climate and nature emergency.
Oversee delivery of circular economy behaviour change and engagement campaigns, such as ‘BeMighty: Recycle’ and ‘Let’s get is sorted’.

Note: the detailed responsibilities covered by the role may be subject to change as the Directorate flexes to respond to the new Government’s priorities.

Person specification

Civil Service success profiles relevant to this role are set out below (click here to view more information on Civil Service Success profiles).

Your application (personal statement and CV) should set out your evidence in relation to the person specification below (i.e. success profile behaviours and experience listed).

Behaviours

Delivering at Pace: you will establish an inclusive culture which allows people space and authority to deliver their objectives whilst ensuring appropriate support is in place when needed
Changing and Improving: you will manage change effectively and respond promptly to critical events
Making Effective Decisions: you will clearly recommend the best option articulating risks and impacts on economic, environmental, political and social factors
Communicating and Influencing: you will influence external partners, stakeholders and customers successfully securing mutually beneficial outcomes

Experience

Extensive experience of policy development and delivery, including in complex delivery environments.
Negotiating experience at a senior level, with both colleagues and external stakeholders.
Experience of delivery of significant projects or programmes.
Knowledge of the Well-being of Future Generations Act or environmental policy (desirable).

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £86,000, Welsh Government contributes £24,914 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Learning and development tailored to your role
An environment with flexible working options
A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Stage 1 – Application

To apply for this role, you will be asked to submit:

Application Form

We welcome applications in Welsh and English. Applications in either language will be treated equally. If you have an impairment that would prevent you from applying online, please contact SCSRecruitment@gov.wales to request an alternative format or a reasonable adjustment to submit your application.

CV:

We operate name-free recruitment. The selection panel will not see personal information while shortlisting in line with our commitment to end bias and promote equality and diversity. Please remove your name from your CV and personal statement.

Personal Statement:

Your personal statement will be input into the application system and has a maximum word count of 1,500. Please explain how your professional qualifications, skills, qualities and experience meet the essential criteria included in the person specification. These are the key behaviours listed above: Delivering at Pace; Changing & Improving; Making Effective Decisions and Communicating and Influencing and the four areas listed under ‘experience’. Note that desirable criteria may be used at sift or interview stage to differentiate between candidates with tied or closely matched scores.

The Welsh Government is committed to achieving a workforce that reflects the society it serves – at all levels. You will be asked to confirm some diversity information on your application form. Collecting this information enables us to identify whether we are recruiting from the widest possible pool of talent and check that all groups are being treated fairly throughout the process; this form will not be disclosed to anyone involved in assessing your application. If you do not wish to provide a response to a particular question, you select ‘prefer not to say.’ You will not be able to submit your application if you leave any of the questions unanswered.

Stage 2 – Assessments

If shortlisted, you will take part in the following assessments:

Online Psychometric Tests:

These include a discussion with a psychologist via Microsoft Teams. You will receive a link to the online tests within 10 working days after the shortlisting meeting. You do not need to take these tests again if you have completed these tests in the last two years for a role at the same grade.

Staff/Stakeholder Engagement Exercise:

This exercise gives you the opportunity to present your experience, ideas and views on effective leadership for this role. You will meet with a group of staff via Microsoft Teams who may be future team members, peers, colleagues or stakeholders.

Interview & Scenario Exercise:

Before your interview, the selection panel will receive feedback on your psychometric tests and staff engagement exercise.

You will be given a presentation topic before your interview and will be asked to give a 5-minute verbal presentation.

Interviews will be around 45 minutes and will consider how the skills and experience in your CV and personal statement meet the requirements of the role. The interview will be held in person at the Welsh Government’s office in Cathays Park in Cardiff.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

UK nationals
nationals of the Republic of Ireland
nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Salary range

£86,000 - £105,000 per year