Data Lead for Service Design

At the Welsh Revenue Authority (WRA), we’re responsible for collecting and managing two 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 2019 to 2022. 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 70 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

This is a pivotal technical leadership role within the WRA’s Data Analysis Function, working directly to the Head of Data. The Data Lead for Service Design will play a crucial role in leading on the data design and implementation of improvements to our current services as well as the design of future services across the WRA.

WRA’s Data Analysis Function operates at the core of the WRA’s collection and management of devolved taxes and is at the heart of future service design. Data analysis is fundamental to the successful delivery of WRA’s functions. Our data services have been designed from scratch in house, which gives us a significant advantage in how we use data to manage our performance, drive improvements to our services and reduce risk. We bring together our strong data analytic capability with an emphasis on user-centred and digitally focussed design to deliver and improve our services.

The WRA will also support wider Welsh Government colleagues in developing new revenue services by drawing on its expertise in collectively understanding delivery systems end-to-end. This means drawing on our diverse expertise across different professional disciplines including data, digital, customer insight, communications, etc. Working directly to the WRA’s Head of Data Analysis, you will have a crucial role in not only leading the development of WRA’s current services but also in supporting wider Welsh Government colleagues in the design of new services, leveraging the data related opportunities to optimise those services with support from stakeholders.

As our organisation and services grow, we are investing in our technical leadership and capacity across the Data Analysis Function. This will enable us to continually improve our services for the future, and make best use of data within the WRA and across government.

To be successful in the role, you’ll enjoy working closely with a wide range of colleagues across the WRA, and outside of the organisation. You will ensure customer/user needs and privacy considerations are well researched alongside the data requirements, applying the emerging understanding to any service development and design.

Finally, overseeing the publication of data and statistics is also a key aspect of the role, as part of maintaining WRA’s transparent approach to its work and supporting our analytical user community.

We would support any candidates to achieve or maintain any membership of the GSS/GSR professions at the G7 level.

This post provides you with the opportunity to work in a fast moving area of work, contributing to the design of revenue services for Wales. It would be suitable for an experienced social researcher with strong data skills or an experienced statistician with some research background and a user focus, allowing either to broaden their knowledge and skills over both professions.

Specifically as a statistician, you will have an opportunity to:

• work with wide ranging stakeholders to determine data requirements
• establish data collection methodologies to integrate requirements into service design
• deliver future data analysis capability
• oversee the publication of statistics

And specifically as a researcher:

• direct stakeholder / user / customer research, acting on the outcome
• carry out options appraisal and evaluation
• gather and apply behavioural insights in developing tax strategies and services

Whilst I understand your skills will develop as the role progresses, at least an awareness and a clear appreciation of the depth of challenge will be expected in your less prominent profession.

Adam Al-Nuaimi, Head of Data Analysis

Information session for candidates

We will be holding a candidate information session on 18 January 2022 at 12 noon on Microsoft Teams. This will be an opportunity for you to find out more about the role if you would like to attend contact us at: recruitment@wra.gov.wales

Supporting the development of WRA’s services, including the following:

• gathering data requirements, including liaison with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and users for those services
• ensuring user need and data requirements are placed at the heart of service design:
  • researching, and understanding optimal ways of acquiring data (for example, collection, re-use or matching)
  • considering extension of or development of appropriate data spines and registers to support design activity
  • championing privacy, applying appropriate controls and measures and ensuring impact assessments reflect this
  • researching equality impacts and reflecting these in requirements
  • proactively engaging with service delivery leads and senior officials inside WRA and cross government to ensure activities are aligned to highest priority areas
  • working with digital colleagues to integrate data into fully digital solutions
• arranging access to detailed data for future analysts, including integration of data into the current WRA data analysis environment

Leading on or contributing to the preparation of options appraisals and business cases in the design of services founded on sound underlying data models, whilst ensuring that user / customer requirements and behavioural insights are at the forefront of that design

Overseeing statistics published by WRA, including line management for the publication team and sign off of published material and related briefing

Lead on scoping and implementation projects exploring the better and more effective sharing of data across government on behalf of WRA

Building strong relationships with colleagues from different professions and organisations including deputising for the Head of Data at key meetings within WRA.

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

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

Welsh desirable means that having 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.

As a civil service department, all our people have access to government assets. Different roles require different levels of national security vetting.

Our assessment process includes a blended interview, where we test you against the criteria above. Depending on the role, we may:

• test for strengths relevant to the behaviours
• ask you to complete an exercise, test, or presentation at interview stage
• ask if you have any requirements you would like us to be aware of

To apply for this role, please send us:

1. Your CV (no more than 2 pages of A4).
2. A personal statement (800 to 1,200 words) on how you meet the criteria.
3. Your Details form. This allows us to make sure our recruitment process remains fair. It will not be shared further than our HR team.

Send all 3 documents to recruitment@wra.gov.wales

To be fair to all, we do not accept:

• late applications
• incomplete or missing documents
• personal statements over 1,200 words

We're unable to discuss opportunities with recruitment agencies, please apply directly.

We offer a wide range of benefits when you join the WRA, such as:

• a generous pension
• progression related pay
• 31 days holiday

Find out more about the benefits of working for us.

Find out more about our work by visiting our website. Or follow and engage with us on our Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube accounts.