Board Secretariat

Cardiff

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 

Working directly to the Chief of Staff within the Chief Executive’s Private Office, of 4 members of staff, the Board Secretariat will play an important role in managing the WRA Board. Working very closely with the WRA Chair and Chief Executive, the Board Secretariat will lead on the efficient running of the secretariat function, allowing the Board to carry out their role and responsibilities.   

The Board Secretariat will be highly organised, able to keep up to date on various issues, confident to work directly with senior members of staff and Board members and able to handle sensitive information appropriately.  

A key contact for the Chair and Non-Executive members, the Board Secretariat will be a confident and clear communicator. Regularly pulling together and drafting documentation, the Board Secretariat should be comfortable writing for a range of audiences and purposes.  

An understanding and interest in, and ability to understand and convey, how an organisations governance operates is an important aspect of this role.  

The Chief Executive’s Private Office plays a key part in supporting the Chief Executive and wider WRA in achieving its strategic priorities. We are looking for individuals who enjoy being in a central, cross cutting team. 

“This is a great opportunity to work directly with the WRA Board, Chair and Chief Executive. You will get insight into a range of strategic questions and organisational issues. We are looking for someone who enjoys building strong working relationships and can gain an understanding of priorities.” 

Jo Ryder, Chief of Staff  

• Support staff and partners on Board related matters, deal with queries and requests for information and escalate matters to the relevant Board member when necessary 
• Act as first point of contact to all non-Executive board members, dealing with any queries and supporting and enabling them to carry out their role  
• Establish a close working relationship with the Chair to ensure the rhythm and structure of Board meetings are performed to their specification  
• Review and approve all non-Executive claims for daily fees and travel and subsistence; recording and monitoring accordingly and checking for accuracy  
• Develop and manage the forward work plan for the Board to bringing relevant issues and updates to members of the Board 
• Act as secretariat for the board meetings – agreeing agenda items with the Chair and Chief Executive, commissioning and quality assuring papers, working with colleagues to ensure deadlines are met, organising logistics of meetings, drafting accurate minutes and action points   
• Draft Board papers on behalf of the Chair on matters related to the Boards composition, role and responsibilities 
• Ensure the Board Terms of Reference and Standing Orders are kept up to date and relevant  
• Ensure Board members are aware of the governance arrangements and legislative requirements they are expected to follow and highlight any conflicts as and when 
• Work with the Head of HR and Chair on appointment and induction of non-executive board members, review of Terms of Appointment, extensions of appointments, elected member of staff process and appointment, performance reviews and training and development  
• Identify and circulate key information from Board meetings to senior management and wider business as and when  
• Monitor and record the work of the Board, including its discussion topics, decisions and actions to inform more effective working  
• Work across the Private office team to support the delivery of all its objectives 

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 essential

Reading 4 = Can read most work-related material 

Spoken 4 = Can converse in most work-related conversations 

Understanding 3 = Can understand routine work-related conversations 

Written 4 = Can prepare most written work in Welsh

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. 

Open to UK nationals only.

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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Job contact :

• Name : Recruitment Team
• Email : Recruitment@wra.gov.wales
• Telephone : 03000 254000

Recruitment team

• Email : Recruitment@wra.gov.wales