Job Description

Details

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Reference number

433665

Salary

81,000
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP

Job grade

SCS Pay Band 1

Contract type

Permanent

Type of role

Senior leadership

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Homeworking, Job share, Part-time, Compressed hours

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

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Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

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Wales

About the job

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Job summary

AI has been an emergent area of policy and delivery since the explosion of generative AI in 2022. It is now embedded in public discourse and the future of work, and governments across the world are considering the implications on society, policy, and public services.


In June 2025 the First Minister announced the creation an Office for AI, to be based in Welsh Government, to provide leadership and direction to drive forward AI transformation in public services.


The Head of the new Office for AI will be a key role in meeting Ministerial ambitions in driving forward AI adoption, policy, guidance and capability across Welsh Government services and the wider public sector. They will do this by working closely with Ministers, senior civil servants across government, the wider digital leadership in Wales, and building strong partnerships with UK Government, industry and academic partners.


The Office for AI will drive AI initiatives to transform public services, coordinating efforts across Welsh Government's ministerial portfolios involved in AI, strengthen our internal capability, facilitate informed policymaking and support meaningful collaboration with stakeholders across Wales, the UK and internationally.


A key element of the role will be to work closely with the new Strategic AI Advisory Group for Wales to draw on external expertise on how we can support public services in the adoption of AI technology to deliver better services for the people of Wales.


The role will work very closely with WG's Data Science Unit to provide public sector leadership on adoption and deployment of tools, including bespoke WG tools, commercial tools and those developed by the UK Government. The postholder will also oversee regular engagement with other Devolved Governments, UK Government and internationally to share activity, best practice, ideas and learning.


The postholder will be responsible for

Providing leadership and direction on public service transformation though the effective use of AI Providing co-ordination and leadership across the Welsh Government, recognising all departments will have their own AI activity or policy work underway in support of Ministerial priorities. Strengthening WG's our own capacity to respond to AI developments Management of a 2.5m budget, with 1m being allocated to support public sector services to adopt AI.

Job description

The key responsibilities of the role will be

policy leadership on all aspects of AI in public services in Wales, supporting Ministers in developing priorities for AI as part of their wider digital transformation ambitions for services in Wales, but within the context of our AI principles and the fair, ethical and sustainable use of data and technology. internal leadership of digital transformation enabled by AI across Welsh Government for externally facing bilingual digital services delivered directly to citizens. external representation of Welsh Government at UK Government and devolved administrations as well as other UK bodies and the Welsh public service. Also, to represent Welsh Government internationally on AI matters. leading and setting strategic direction for the Strategic AI Advisory Group which brings together experts from industry, academia, and the public sector to advise Ministers. Their goals include identifying AI opportunities in public services, supporting decisions, promoting AI literacy, responsible innovation, and strengthening Wales's AI ecosystem. leading on AI related regulation and legislation whether in consideration of devolved aspects of UK Government legislation or where Ministers may also want to regulate in devolved areas. advising the Permanent Secretary, Executive Committee and Ministers accordingly on strategic direction on AI for Welsh Government leading on internal capability and supporting other parts of Welsh Government in exploiting AI tools for internal use, and ensuring appropriate guardrails are in place to support our values, ethics AI principles and social partnership commitments. working closely with the Centre for Digital Public Services and the AI Leadership Group for Wales in driving forward practical guidance and adoption for the Welsh public service developing a programme to raise AI capability across the public sector, working with industry partners. managing 10 staff and working collaboratively with other parts of DDaT and Welsh Government, including the Data Science Unit in driving forward adoption and capability within the organisation managing a 2.5m programme budget including a delivery fund to support projects directly related to the adoption of AI tools in the public sector.

Person specification

Seeing the big picture:

you will able to anticipate the long-term impact on the department of economic, political, environmental, social and technological developments, at both national and international levels and create joined up strategies that put into practice and support the government's vision for the future

Changing and Improving:

you will have experience of leading change and challenging the way things are done, encouraging measured risk taking and innovation

Leadership:

you will have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships with a wide range of people inside and outside of government. You will have proven ability of operating with integrity, reliability and being a role model of civil service leadership principles. (See Appendix A and B)

Delivering at pace

: you will be able to translate strategic priorities into clear out-come focused objectives, establishing an inclusive culture which allows people space and authority to deliver their objectives whilst ensuring appropriate support is in place when needed

In addition

You will need to have a strong understanding of artificial intelligence technologies, the opportunities they bring to delivering better public services in Wales but also the culture and technological challenges faced in adoption. You will need an understanding of the AI policy landscape, and the ethical implications and guardrails needed for safe adoption of AI. It would be highly desirable for you to have experience of driving forward adoption of AI within an organisation or service. You will be committed to securing equity in access, experiences and outcomes for people in Wales and thus the fair and equitable deployment of AI technology. You will have experience of managing budgets effectively and of managing risk.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:


Seeing the Big Picture Changing and Improving Leadership Delivering at Pace

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 81,000, Welsh Government contributes 23,465 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.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

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Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Head of the Office for AI - Welsh Government (Cais)



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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check .



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

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

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) 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

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 .
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 the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

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This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans 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).
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Contact point for applicants

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Job contact :

Name : SCSrecruitment@gov.wales Email : SCSrecruitment@gov.wales
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Recruitment team

* Email : SCSrecruitment@gov.wales