Job Description

Details

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Reference number

420783

Salary

58,918 - 70,450
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP

Job grade

Grade 7

Contract type

Permanent

Loan

Secondment

Length of employment

Permanent or available as a loan, secondment up to 2 years

Business area

WRA - Strategy

Type of role

Policy

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share

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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We encourage flexible and hybrid working but although this role can be based anywhere, some office attendance is required depending on business need. This role is based in our Cardiff office.

About the job

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Job summary

We're responsible for Land Transaction Tax and Landfill Disposals Tax. Our work raises revenue to support public services, like the NHS and schools, in communities across Wales. But that's not all, we're also involved with and support future tax design for Wales.

Join a place with purpose

You'll join a team of 100+ talented people from across 14 different professions. Our culture is best described as innovative, collaborative and kind.


By working together, we'll deliver a fair tax system for Wales.

You'll be working with

Our people come from a wide range of backgrounds and experience. From Operations, Policy, Digital and Data, HR, Communications to Finance - there's a place for you in our friendly team.

You'll be our greatest asset

When you join us, you'll be part of a fair and inclusive team where you can thrive, be rewarded and heard.


We've consistently featured in the top 3 for people engagement in the Civil Service People Survey. Inclusion and fairness are our most strongest scoring areas - see our latest People Survey results.


And we're recognised for our innovation as a digital 'cloud-based' organisation that supports hybrid and flexible working that enables a great work-life balance.


More about working for us, our roles and our corporate plan 2025-2028 .

Job description

You will play a central role in shaping the long-term direction of tax policy in WRA. Your initial focus will be the development of the first piece of primary legislation by WRA. In the fullness of time, you will establish a research and evidence function to strengthen the analytical foundations of operational tax policy.


You will also be responsible for developing WRA corporate strategy. This high-impact role will ensure that WRA's approach to taxation is future-focused, evidence-led, and aligned with ministerial priorities and the Welsh way of doing tax.


This is a new role and you will be able to shape it as it develops. You will gain a unique insight into how the work of government is delivered on the ground by working closely with colleagues in operational delivery, legal, and DDaT. You will influence at senior levels in WRA, the Welsh Treasury and with Ministers.


"This is an exciting time for the development of the WRA and this new role plays a crucial part in shaping the future of our organisation. We're looking for someone to take our development of corporate strategy and policy to the next level as we look ahead to the addition of new services and beyond."

Dave Matthews, Strategy & Capability Director

Candidate Information Session

If this seems like a role you'd be interested in, join us for our virtual Candidate Information Sessions. You'll meet the Line Manager, get an overview of the role as well a feeling for what it's like working at the WRA. We'll also talk through the benefits and L&D opportunities we offer, as well as application tips.

Register here 12 August 2025 @ 12.30pm:

Business Wales Events Finder - Candidate Information Session - Policy Lead - Legislation and Strategy

Register here 12 August 2025 @ 4.00pm:

Business Wales Events Finder - Candidate Information Session - Policy Lead - Legislation and Strategy

Person specification

Key Responsibilities

Lead the design and development of primary and secondary tax legislation (principally a tax policy maintenance bill, working closely with legal colleagues, Welsh Treasury, and legislative counsel. Ensure there is a joined-up and coherent approach to the underlying ethos, policy intent and content of the tax policy maintenance bill; Develop advice to ministers on key policy options for legislation and designing well formed legislative proposals. Lead on preparation of key supporting policy documents, including the Explanatory Memorandum and Regulatory Impact Assessment, Integrated Impact Assessment. Ensure early and substantive consideration of potential impact of proposals on groups with protected characteristics and any other relevant cross-cutting policy issues, fulfilling Welsh Government's statutory and non-statutory requirements; Contribute to the operation of appropriate Bill governance arrangements, working alongside Bill managers, including providing updates at the relevant Project Board for the Bill; Develop the Corporate Plan (anticipated in 2028) and annual business plan. Establish and lead a new insight and research function, ensuring the availability and use of robust evidence, data, and analysis to inform policy and legislative decisions. Oversee horizon scanning and long-term planning to identify risks and opportunities that affect the WRA. Manage one SEO and promote a culture of delivery, strategic thinking and inclusive leadership. Ensure compliance with broader legislative requirements placed on WRA e.g. Wellbeing of Future Generations Act, impact assessments.

Languages

The language requirements below represents an objective assessment of the Welsh language skills required to undertake the duties of this post:




Welsh language skills


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

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Alongside your salary of 58,918, Welsh Revenue Authority contributes 17,068 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.31 days annual leave, 2 privilege days, plus bank holidays Flexible and hybrid working Great pay and annual pay progression Excellent employer pension contribution Generous family-friendly leave policies Free Welsh language courses with time to learn Access to a range of staff diversity networks Free counselling and support service via our Employee Assistance Programme a highly engaged and collaborative culture - see

our People Survey results

Things you need to know

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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 can find information and videos on how to apply for Civil Service roles here: About the application process , Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk)


You should highlight evidence from the table below during the recruitment process. You may also wish to refer to the main tasks mentioned above.


Whilst the use of Generative AI (GenAI) isn't prohibited, it must be used truthfully and your application must be factually accurate. It should be noted that presenting ideas and experience generated by artificial intelligence as your own, may be considered plagiarism.


A reserve list may be used for this role should another role become available in the next 12 months we may contact you.

Behaviours

Criteria

Assessed in personal statement and CV

Assessed during interview or assessment

Seeing the big picture

Bring together views, perspectives and diverse needs of stakeholders to gain a broader understanding of the issues surrounding policies and activities



Yes



Yes

Leadership

Welcome and respond to views and challenges from others, despite any conflicting pressures to ignore or give in to them



No



Yes

Delivering at pace

Maintain your own levels of performance in challenging circumstances and encourage others to do the same



Yes



Yes

Working together

Actively build and maintain a network of colleagues and contacts to achieve progress on shared objectives



Yes



No

Strengths

Criteria

Assessed in personal statement and CV

Assessed during interview or assessment

Challenger

You see other people's views and can appreciate there are many different angles to consider



No



Yes

Adaptable

You are flexible and versatile and act as an advocate for change



No



Yes

Inclusive

You actively encourage and provide opportunities for others to share ideas and contributions



No



Yes

Experience

Criteria

Assessed in personal statement and CV

Assessed during interview or assessment

Experience in developing primary legislation



Yes



No



Excellent communication and influencing skills, including experience working with senior colleagues



No



Yes



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) 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.
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 and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

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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

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Job contact :

Name : WRA Recruitment Team Email : Recruitment@wra.gov.wales Telephone : 03000254000
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Recruitment team

Email : Recruitment@wra.gov.wales

Further information

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition. See the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles where this is set out.


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: hr@wra.gov.wales


If you're not satisfied with our response, you can contact the Civil Service Commission.