About the job

Job summary

To carry out a full range of appeals and/or other casework through the written representation, hearing, inquiry and examination procedures. Subject to training, this work includes Development Plans, Infrastructure, S78 planning appeals and other major casework plus enforcement. Such work will be delivered in line with timeliness targets and to the required quality standards.

Job description

Grade Description:

What the organisation will expect?

• You will have the ability to work under pressure, be flexible, proactive and self-motivated. You will have the ambition to lead and motivate a team to successfully deliver within a challenging, pressured and 
  fast-paced environment.
• You will be able to take an innovative approach, looking for opportunities to do things differently and responsive enough to adapt and develop new options as things change. You will be adaptable, flexible, open to, and accepting of change affecting you and your area of work and deal with that change efficiently and professionally.
• As an effective Civil Servant, you will have an understanding of the political landscape and the role that Ministers play in setting the agenda for your business area; an understanding of how to get things done with regard to governance and financial management processes; an ability to manage risk, making informed decisions with little or no guidance; and be able to clearly communicate at all levels, including with senior stakeholders and Ministers.

What your team will expect?

• You will value diversity and inclusion, creating an environment where individuals feel safe to challenge, share ideas and express concerns.
• You will be a role model, who is able to motivate and inspire others, establish a vision and bring others on board, providing clear direction and priorities for the team, ensuring that every member understands their contribution to achieving objectives, and feel capable of fulfilling their role.
• You will support the development of others, demonstrating an understanding of the importance of learning, planning for and providing opportunities and encouragement for individuals to develop, as well as investing time for your own development.

What key stakeholders will expect?

• You will be able to use sound judgement, evidence and knowledge to provide credible advice and guidance to both internal and external stakeholders.
• You will understand the importance of building and maintaining constructive relationships, both within and outside Welsh Government. You will have strong influencing skills and the ability to build collaborative relationships that both challenge with support, and build trust and mutual respect across organisational boundaries.
• You will be able to use creative thoughts to develop recommendations, and take advantage of opportunities to work collaboratively across boundaries.

Person specification

To conduct and determine appeals and other casework.  This could include planning appeals, enforcement appeals, environmental casework (rights of way, common land, high hedges, TPOs etc), the examination of Development Plans, Community Infrastructure Levy schedules, Infrastructure Projects and other casework as required. Training will be provided when necessary, dependent on business needs.

• To identify, understand, analyse, and test relevant facts and evidence (including taking evidence on Oath where relevant) in order to reach well-reasoned and justified decisions and recommendations on planning appeals and other casework.
• To understand and correctly apply relevant legislation, caselaw, policy, guidance, and procedures when carrying out casework.
• To determine the appropriate procedure for public events (i.e. written representations, hearing, inquiry or mixed procedure) having regard to principles of natural justice and to identify in advance the scope of the discussion at that event.
• To independently conduct public events (including multi-day hearings, inquiries, examinations and accompanied site visits) in an efficient, inclusive and authoritative manner using plain language and in accordance with relevant statute, procedural rules and guidance, and in compliance with the Welsh language standards.
• To complete appeal decisions and any other work in line with timeliness targets and to the required quality standards.
• To work alone as an independent decision-maker seeking advice where necessary.
• To lead, manage and work effectively with Programme Officers and Assistant Inspectors, including when examining Local Plans and Community Infrastructure Levy schedules.
• To manage casework effectively, working with professional and administrative staff, managers and where relevant Programme Officers.
• To provide leadership and management by supporting and mentoring other Inspectors.
• To participate in the recruitment, assessment and selection of new Inspectors.
• To demonstrate integrity, objectivity and impartiality at all times, clearly applying the principles of openness, fairness, and transparency.
• To maintain and develop professional skills and capability by undertaking appropriate training and other development opportunities.
• To act in an advisory capacity to other government divisions, using specialist knowledge, skills, and experience to help develop policy, including on own initiative.
• To help develop the skills and capability of other Inspectors, including through becoming a Subject Lead, preparation of training materials, delivery of training, mentoring, and the quality assurance of reports and decisions.
• To assist in the management of the organisation through the development and improvement of procedures and working practices, including through participation in, and leadership of, projects.
• To carry out administrative functions in accordance with current office guidelines and procedures.
• To use IT effectively to conduct casework and manage administrative matters.

Benefits

All Welsh Government staff are members of the Civil Service, and as a result are eligible for:

• Civil Service Pension Scheme
• 31 days annual leave (pro-rated for part time)
• training and development opportunities
• Cycle2Work Scheme
• Smart Working flexible working arrangement
• Green Car Scheme (subject to availability)

If you are an active Civil Service Pension member you can continue your membership throughout your employment with us.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours.

Welsh Government, like all other Government Departments use Success Profiles when we recruit. For each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job. It raises performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

The selection process and stages are:

Number of Stages:	3 stage process
Stage 1	Application Form
Stage 2	Other Assessment
Stage 3	Interview

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.