Deputy Director of Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy

Job summary

The role is a high profile and exciting opportunity to work in an area of both growing strategic importance and one which is responsible for significant direct delivery. There is a considerable opportunity to directly influence and deliver change across government, in partnership with Local Government and with a wide range of stakeholders. The circular economy is a devolved area of policy, with a significant role in the joint development and delivery of UK-wide action, which includes issues at the cutting edge of post EU-exit arrangements including the challenges associated with the UK Internal Market Act.

Building on Wales’ successful track record in this area, the post-holder will take over leadership at a critical time with the new Government’s commitments in relation to embedding cross-government action on climate and nature. With the circular economy covering around half of total emissions and 90 per cent of global biodiversity loss associated with the extraction and consumption of materials, the circular economy has a fundamental role in its delivery. The area is also growing significantly in importance, both within Wales, the UK and internationally. This is not just about the environmental importance of action – keeping materials in use reduces supply chain vulnerabilities and matters to national security – there is also a significant economic opportunity, and one which will be grounded in local communities. This is particularly true for Wales, which is already recognised globally as an exemplar.

The post-holder has the responsibility not just for driving and coordinating the development and delivery of the Welsh Government’s circular economy action (and associated governance), but acts as the Welsh Senior Responsible Officer for the joint Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for packaging and the development of future proposals to deliver on the Welsh Government’s manifesto commitment to the polluter pays principle. This includes work to drive innovation and maximise the economic benefits to Wales, support a just transition and drive action to support vulnerable communities in a cost-of-living crisis.

They will have to provide direct leadership to a team which is in the process of expanding to around 40 people, alongside indirect leadership to colleagues within and stakeholders outside of Welsh Government, including UK Government.

Job description

This is a full-time post in the Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Directorate reporting to Rhodri Asby. Rhodri is part of Claire Bennett’s senior team in the Local Government, Housing, Rural Resilience and Sustainability Group. Working with successful and award-winning team, the role includes:

• Lead a growing team of ~40 people working flexibly across a broad spread of responsibilities and provide opportunities for everyone to contribute and be recognised for their contribution.
• Build and maintain the trust and confidence of Ministers, ensuring the Government’s key commitments and wider work programme are delivered, including implementing Senedd legislation.
• Lead the development of policy and delivery of circular economy action both within the Division, across government and in partnership with key stakeholders including Local Authorities.
• Oversee the Welsh Government’s implementation of a complex programme of domestic and joint UK-wide delivery, including recycling reforms, Extended Producer Responsibility Schemes for materials like packaging and the delivery of a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers.
• Lead the engagement with key stakeholders, building on the successful partnership approach in this area with Local Authorities and including high profile, politically sensitive areas such as DRS.
• Oversee the Circular Economy Fund (~£40m capital) which supports Local Authorities, the wider public sector and businesses to transition. This includes responsibility of the Circular Economy Infrastructure Pipeline of investment in Local Authority services to improve recycling, mainstream reuse, decarbonise and improve climate resilience.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues working in UK and other devolved Governments.
• As the SRO for Wales, lead the Welsh Government’s input into joint UK / four nations delivery programmes – including the Executive Committee overseeing PackUK, Digital Waste Tracking and lead for Welsh Government for the Waste and Resources Common Framework, and UK / EU engagement relating to the circular economy.
• Oversee the programme of legislative reform to further improve recycling, support the mainstreaming of reuse and address waste crime.
• Overall responsibility for waste policy, including landfills and hazardous waste and undertaking an important civil contingencies role with respect to waste when required. Incident response may require action outside normal working hours.
• Maximise contribution to effective delivery of the existing policies for climate and nature and development of future plans working closely with colleagues on the critical role of the circular economy in tackling the climate and nature emergency
• Ensure effective arrangements are in place to manage a budget of around ~£75m per year (revenue + capital) to deliver policy priorities, including oversight of key delivery partners, such as Local Partnerships, WRAP, FareShare, Repair Café Wales and Benthyg, overseeing their work programmes and ensuring value for money.
• Encourage innovation and provide challenge across departments and sectors to transition to a circular economy as a crucial element of the Welsh Government’s commitment to cross-government action to address the climate and nature emergency.
• Oversee delivery of circular economy behaviour change and engagement campaigns, such as ‘BeMighty: Recycle’ and ‘Let’s get is sorted’.

Note: the detailed responsibilities covered by the role may be subject to change as the Directorate flexes to respond to the new Government’s priorities.

Person specification

Civil Service success profiles relevant to this role are set out below (click here to view more information on Civil Service Success profiles).

Your application (personal statement and CV) should set out your evidence in relation to the person specification below (i.e. success profile behaviours and experience listed).

Behaviours

• Delivering at Pace: you will establish an inclusive culture which allows people space and authority to deliver their objectives whilst ensuring appropriate support is in place when needed
• Changing and Improving: you will manage change effectively and respond promptly to critical events
• Making Effective Decisions: you will clearly recommend the best option articulating risks and impacts on economic, environmental, political and social factors
• Communicating and Influencing: you will influence external partners, stakeholders and customers successfully securing mutually beneficial outcomes

Experience

• Extensive experience of policy development and delivery, including in complex delivery environments.
• Negotiating experience at a senior level, with both colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Experience of delivery of significant projects or programmes.
• Knowledge of the Well-being of Future Generations Act or environmental policy (desirable).

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £86,000, Welsh Government contributes £24,914 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Bene