WRA Policy Adviser Cardiff, Wales
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Location
About the job
Job summary
At the Welsh Revenue Authority (WRA), we’re responsible for collecting and managing 2 devolved Welsh taxes: Land Transaction Tax and Landfill Disposals Tax, on behalf of the Welsh Government. The revenue we raise funds public services, like the NHS and schools, in communities across Wales.
We’re committed to helping deliver a fair tax system for Wales through what we call ‘Our Approach’ - a Welsh way of doing tax. By working collaboratively with representatives, partner organisations, taxpayers, and the public, we make sure taxes are collected efficiently and effectively.
We base everything we do on our corporate plan. This sets out our purpose, strategic objectives, and longer-term ambitions. We report on our work annually - see our latest annual report and accounts.
We’re a small and multi-skilled organisation of more than 80 staff, with talents, skills and experience spanning 14 different professions. We champion innovation, collaboration and shared decision-making. And we empower and entrust our people with high levels of responsibility and autonomy.
Find out more about what it’s like to work with us in our latest People Survey.
For further information, please visit gov.wales/wra
Job description
Working directly to the Senior Policy Adviser, the Policy Adviser will play a key role in supporting the purpose of the WRA’s Tax Strategy and Policy team.
The team leads development of WRA policy and guidance on service delivery and the application of devolved taxes. It also provides advice and support on complex tax risks, and works in partnership with the Welsh Treasury on the strategic and administrative design of the system of devolved taxes in Wales. Policy developed by the team supports the efficient, fair and effective delivery of our services for taxpayers and their agents, and also establishes lawful and proportionate compliance, litigation and enforcement strategies based on WRA’s civil and criminal enforcement powers.
You will need to be a great team player, possess strong analytical skills and enjoy working with others to find innovative solutions to complex problems. Able to manage a varied and challenging workload effectively, you will be a key player working across the WRA. To be successful in the role, you will need to enjoy engaging with a diverse network of stakeholders, tracking developments in their policy area, and communicating technical matters and advice clearly and simply to a range of audiences.
The work of the Tax Strategy & Policy team varies according to emerging issues and trends, delivery of WRA priorities and wider Welsh Government strategy for the devolved taxes in Wales. We are looking for individuals who can work flexibly and collaboratively to resolve uncertainty, and to develop robust solutions to challenging issues. To enjoy the role, you will need to appreciate that the WRA is still forming and there is much to do, and that the role will change over time as our approach to delivery of Welsh taxes develops.
“This is an opportunity to join a small team with a wide reach across a range of policy areas and issues. As the WRA is still a young organisation there is a genuine opportunity to influence and shape our direction across a range of policy areas. You will work collaboratively with all of our teams.
The breadth and variety of the role is exciting; you can provide advice to operational colleagues on the application of tax legislation one day, and explore new areas of operational policy the next.”
- Dave Matthews, Strategy Director (interim)
Person specification
- Coordinate and lead on policy development and the provision of technical advice on the practical application of the Tax Collection and Management (Wales) Act 2016.
- Lead on maintaining and updating the WRA’s published guidance: taking decisions on the content and format of guidance; reviewing content to identify improvements needed and create a pipeline of updates; working across teams to maintain accuracy of guidance; engaging with external stakeholders to explore user requirements;
- Quickly build expertise in devolved taxes legislation to provide high quality and timely technical advice on the application of Landfill Disposals Tax (LDT) and Land Transaction Tax (LTT). Ensure that decisions are made and communicated in a way that is sound, clear and lawful;
- Work with policy colleagues to take forward development of particular LDT and LTT issues to review, update and shape the future of the devolved taxes;
- Support development of operational policies and technical advice for the practical implementation of the WRA’s approach to taxing unauthorised disposals of waste under LDT, working closely with teams across WRA and partners such as Natural Resources Wales;
- Support development of aspects of wider WRA operational policy;
- Identify and address issues arising from implementation of tax policy. Working to resolve issues early, and maintain the integrity of the tax system;
- Research and develop policy thinking on wider devolved tax policy, including the implications of possible new powers and functions;
- Build and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders, including Welsh Treasury, wider Welsh Government, other government departments and external stakeholders;
- Support the secretariat for key WRA governance and stakeholders groups: preparing for meetings, recording decisions and actions, and managing relationships with members;
- Identify wider opportunities to contribute to the continuous development and strategic direction of the organisation;
- Opportunity to develop as a policy professional with direct experience of collaborating and policy making in an operational environment.
Languages
The following list of language requirements represents an objective assessment of the Welsh language skills required to undertake the duties of this post:
Welsh language skills Welsh skills are desirable
Reading 0 = No skills
Spoken 0 = No skills
Understanding 0 = No skills
Written 0 = No skills
Welsh desirable means that having Welsh language skills would be useful in this role, but it is not an assessment criteria so it won’t put you at any disadvantage during recruitment if you aren’t a Welsh speaker. We support all staff to learn or improve their Welsh language skills once they join us.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits when you join the WRA, such as:
- 31 days annual leave + 2 privilege days
- flexible working
- a generous employer contribution Civil Service pension scheme
- Cycle to Work scheme and season ticket loans
- learning opportunities including funded Welsh language courses
- dedicated wellbeing time offered weekly
- a highly engaged and collaborative culture – see our People Survey results
Find out more about the benefits of working for us.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
We recruit using success profiles. Our success profiles guidance will help you in completing your application.
In brief, this approach means:
- we look for evidence of what you have done and what you can do. This means we look for the behaviours, strengths and ability needed to do the job
- where necessary or relevant, we also consider experience and technical knowledge
- this approach starts at application stage and continues throughout the recruitment process
- we may only look for some things at certain stages. We’ll always be clear what we’re looking for and when
You should highlight evidence from the table below during the recruitment process. You may also wish to refer to the main tasks mentioned above.
Behaviours
Criteria
Assessed in personal statement and CV
Assessed during interview or assessment
Seeing the Big Picture
Remain alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact your work area
Yes
Yes
Making Effective Decisions
Present strong recommendations in a timely manner outlining the consideration of other options, costs, benefits and risks
Yes
Yes
Communicating and Influencing
Communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner, choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact
Yes
Yes
Strengths
Criteria
Assessed in personal statement and CV
Assessed during interview or assessment
Problem solver
You take a positive approach to tackling problems and find ways to identify suitable solutions.
No
Yes
Learner
You are inquisitive, you seek out new information and look for new ways to develop yourself.
No
Yes
We will be holding a virtual information session for candidates on 22 March at 12 noon on Microsoft Teams. This will be an opportunity for you to find out more about the role. If you would like to attend, register for the information session on Tocyn Cymru: Candidate Information Session - Policy Adviser , tocyn.cymru (beta)
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team :
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in line with the recruitment principles, and you wish to complain, you should contact the Head of HR.
Email: [email protected]
If you’re not satisfied with our response, you can contact the Civil Service Commission.
