Wales and Government Engagement Senior Associate

This opportunity sits within Ofwat's recently expanded Wales and Government Engagement team. The team is the gatekeeper for the UK and Welsh governments to engage with Ofwat. They lead on engagement with government in cross-cutting policy areas (e.g. regulatory reform), helping to shape and inform policy to deliver the best outcomes for the consumer. Additionally, they analyse legislation and policy to provide impact and risk analysis and support the development of government consultation responses.
As a Senior Associate, you will help to facilitate a consistent, connected, and strategic relationship with Welsh and UK Governments and other regulatory stakeholders. Splitting your time equally between working on UK Government and Wales issues, you will have detailed knowledge of the machinery and structure of government (UK, Welsh, and local), a working knowledge of how the Senedd in Wales operates and a good understanding of the political, environmental and economic circumstances across England and Wales.
You will be able to understand and critically assess complex and technical policy and communicate key messages in an accessible and compelling way, accounting for specific audiences. You will work collaboratively and develop strong working relationships with colleagues across Ofwat, as well as externally., In this role you will be expected to:
+ Work with the Director and Principals in the Wales and Government Engagement Team, as well as with colleagues across the organisation, to help deliver tailored Wales engagement strategies to further the aims and objectives of Ofwat.
+ Support the delivery of a portfolio of Senedd Cymru activity, including responding to incoming enquiries, developing proactive engagement plans and events, and engaging with select committees and relevant Cross-Party Groups.
+ Recommend appropriate strategies for effective engagement to raise awareness and strengthen our collaborative approach with wider key stakeholders across Wales, including consumer groups, environmental NGOs and local government.
+ Develop a strong understanding of current and emerging policy and legislation affecting Ofwat's work.
+ Monitor the external policy environment in Wales, keeping sight of the future direction of Ofwat's work as it applies to Wales.
+ Horizon scan and monitor developments and activities in the Senedd and UK government, providing regular and timely intelligence to relevant colleagues.
+ Manage the administration and procurement of contracts for political monitoring and events delivery in Wales
+ Prepare high-quality briefing materials for senior colleagues, often at pace.
+ Help to manage a Wales stakeholders contact database and administrative maintenance of various activity trackers and activity pipelines.
+ Help with the efficient running of Ofwat’s working groups, including providing secretariat support for Ofwat's Wales Policy Steering Forum.
+ Identify and coordinate the drafting of correspondence and responses to the Senedd, government and other relevant consultations.
+ Carry out any other duties and projects appropriate to the post as required.
+ The Wales and Government Team work closely with Ofwat's Communications team, from time to time you may be asked to actively support broader communications activities and campaigns to build understanding and advocacy for our work., At sift stage we assess your application against key essential skills, experience, and knowledge, listed above.
In your application, please state clearly how your skills, experience, and knowledge meet the essential criteria.
In the event of receiving a large number of applications, a pre-sift may take place on just the following lead criterion:
- Strong understanding of the political, environmental and economic circumstances in Wales.
In your personal statement, please tell us how your skills and experience meet the lead criterion, with examples if appropriate.
Please note that if a high volume of candidates meet the minimum pass mark at sift stage, we will only progress the highest scoring candidates to interview. Candidates not invited to interview, who have achieved the minimum pass mark, will be placed 'on hold' until the final stage of the assessment process is completed. Should the role/s remain unfilled, candidates placed 'on hold' may be invited to interview in merit order.
Interview Stage
Our transparent interview process involves candidates receiving a list of attribute-based questions in advance. This has been proven to help neurodiverse candidates and others to perform better at interview and is part of our inclusive culture.
We will assess your Experience, Skills and Knowledge as well as Attributes (set out in the professional requirements section) at Interview Stage.
You can read more about Attributes in Ofwat’s Framework for Success.
As part of the interview process, we will require short presentation. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates upon invitation to interview.
Please note that the interviews will be conducted via video conferencing software such as Microsoft Teams.
If the assessment process identifies more appointable candidates than roles available, a reserve list will be created for 12 months from which further appointments in merit order can be made.
If you have any queries about any aspect of this role, selection process, or you require any reasonable adjustments please email recruitment@ofwat.gov.uk.
Please read the attached "Candidate Information Pack" for details on terms and conditions.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
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.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
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 (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

The ability to understand and speak Welsh is desirable for this role, as is having a good understanding of the water/environment sector and the regulatory landscape in Wales
You can find out more about why you should join Ofwat, our strategy, values and our framework for success in the attached Information for Candidates Pack., 1. Lead criterion: Strong understanding of the political, environmental and economic circumstances in Wales.
2. Experience in a policy/engagement role, ideally with proven experience of delivering stakeholder engagement programmes.
3. Working understanding of the machinery and structure of governments (UK & Welsh) and the Senedd.
4. Ability to understand and critically assess complex and technical policy.
5. Excellent problem-solving skills, with the capability to think creatively and strategically.
6. Strong communication skills – verbal, written and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate the key messages in a concise and compelling way for a range of different audiences
Attributes
+ Delivers Outcomes
+ Builds Trust
+ Promotes Collaboration
+ Adaptable Thinker
Attributes as per Ofwat's Framework for Success for Senior Associate Band. You can read more about Attributes here.

Why You Should Join Us:
We’re forward-thinking, creative, innovative, and ambitious. We constantly push the boundaries and embrace new ways of working.
With us, your work matters, your voice is heard, and your impact is felt. Ours is a culture of trust, flexibility, autonomy, collaboration, and innovation. We all want positive change for water customers, the environment, and the future of water.
But for us, change is more than what happens on the outside – we’ve always pushed boundaries internally, too. From becoming the first Civil Service organisation to achieve ‘Smarter Working’ status, to gaining our prestigious ‘Smarter Working Maturity’ award, we’ve consistently demonstrated our commitment to embracing innovative ways of working. Our people do their best work when given freedom over where, when, and how they work. Which is why we trust our teams to balance meaningful collaboration in the office with the flexibility of working from home.
You will also benefit from:
+ Excellent employer pension contributions of 28.97% (around £10,700 to £15,800 per annum for this role).
+ 27.5 days leave (25 days annual leave + 2.5 days privilege leave) increasing to max 32.5 days with each year of service, plus bank holidays
+ Access to exclusive discounts on a variety of goods and services, including retail
outlets, theatre tickets, holidays, insurance, and a gym membership.
+ Flexible working arrangements that suit your lifestyle.
+ Fees paid for membership of relevant professional bodies.
+ Up to 3 volunteering days per year.
+ Generous shared parental leave and pay.
+ Enhanced sick pay.
+ Regular development opportunities.
+ Health and wellbeing initiatives.
+ Season ticket loan for home-to-office travel.
+ Cycle-to-work scheme.