Assembly Government: A bad week in the life of those in charge

The main Assembly story in the last week has been that of the alleged sexual harassment of a female worker. Mrs Davies story seems to be second in place to Peter Hain's funding dilemma, but nevertheless has filled newspaper columns in the last week of recess.

Mrs Davies has given her story to the Wales on Sunday and it doesn't paint those in charge in a good light. Senior civil servants must be angry that their procedures have been brought into disrepute and Permanent Secretary, Sir Jon Shortridge, must be hoping that his tenure will have a better ending when he leaves in April.

Christine Davies: Life of a woman working for the Assembly Government

SEX pest victim Christine Davies claims sexual harassment and bullying is widespread in the Welsh Assembly – and that women are intimidated by some male bosses on a daily basis.

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This week a court upheld a string of allegations made by Mrs Davies against top-ranking civil servant and married dad-of-four Graham Evans. Judge Patrick Curran QC decided that Mr Evans had assaulted his female colleague in a pub loo and made lewd, sexual advances towards her. Mr Evans, 54, from Caerphilly, now faces a hefty legal bill likely to run into thousands of pounds. As well as the case going against him, he has also been ordered to pay Mrs Davies’ legal costs.
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In her exclusive interview with Wales on Sunday, Christine:

• claims sexual harassment and bullying are rife in the Assembly;
• alleges she was frozen out by her colleagues when she made a formal complaint;
• says the Assembly covered up the sex assault to prevent bad publicity.

But last night the Assembly rejected the claims, saying:

We have had very few cases raised and our staff surveys, other feedback from employees and our Investors in People assessments do not support the assertion made that bullying and harassment is rife within the organisation.

Speaking from her home in Penarth, where she lives with her husband, Paul, Christine blasted the Assembly and claimed her ordeal was NOT an isolated incident. She believes staff have been harassed and bullied on a regular basis, and that they are afraid to speak out because they fear they will lose their jobs. Christine, 52, who retired from the Assembly in 2006, claimed:

Sexual harassment is rife in the Assembly, and there’s a handful of men who make women’s lives a living hell. The culture at the Assembly is very macho. Some men are very imposing – especially towards the women. They strut around in their suits, they have their in-jokes, and eye up the women. Women in the Assembly are regularly intimidated by a few men who feel they have the right to do what they want – to pass lewd jokes, to look them up and down, to mentally undress them.

Christine claims her life took a turn for the worse when she complained. She said:

I believe I am living proof of what happens when an employee of the National Assembly for Wales shouts ‘sexual assault’. I was transferred out, I lost everything that was my life, I feel I was branded a liar, my health suffered and I felt everything I held dear was turned upside down. I felt everyone turned against me and closed rank on me. One minute people were saying I was worth my weight in gold, but the moment I made my complaint I felt everything was withdrawn and I was totally frozen out. By the end I was on anti-depressants and I dreaded going to work to do a job I loved.

An internal investigation was carried out into Christine’s allegations – but it decided that there was not enough proof to uphold the claims against Mr Evans. But she maintains that the Assembly was desperate to keep the matter quiet in an effort to avoid bad publicity. Christine Davies said:

The Assembly is a cesspit where this kind of thing just gets swept under the carpet. The letter they sent me with the result (of their investigation) wasn’t signed and wasn’t dated. I was told that I couldn’t go back to my job and I would have to be moved to a different part of the Assembly.

Despite the outcome of the investigation, Wales on Sunday has seen letters written by Alistair Davey, the Assembly’s Equal Opportunities Office, admitting that Graham Evans had “not been fully exonerated”. Yet despite the finding, he remains in a high-profile role as a highways chief within the government. Meanwhile, Christine, whose father tragically died just days after the sexual assault, says she believes he guided her to victory in the County Court. She said:

My father was there in the courtroom with me and he’s been there every second of the way. We had a special bond between us and I absolutely adored him. In the court I just kept staring at a photo of my dad. He was smiling back at me – and he’d be so proud of me now. It’s been an uphill struggle. I could not believe that something I’d been fighting for over so many years had actually happened. The reason that the judge’s decision was so important means that now I can reach out to everyone else that’s in the same position. I want the women at the Assembly to say, ‘if you stick your heels in you can win’. I want to give people the courage and the determination to come forward and stand-up for themselves. I never did it for the money. I said to my solicitors that if his lawyer ever tried to reach an out-of-court settlement I didn’t want it – I wanted women to know what this man had done.

An Assembly spokesperson said:

We take any accusation of bullying and harassment very seriously. We have a robust Dignity at Work Policy which includes an initial assessment by a case panel and then an independent investigation into any claim of bullying and harassment – this ensures that matters are thoroughly considered. We have had very few cases raised and our staff surveys, other feedback from employees and our Investors in People assessments do not support the assertion made that bullying and harassment is rife within the organisation. All investigations are dealt with professionally and appropriate legal and medical advice is taken to ensure that cases are properly considered. All decisions are open to appeal. With regards to Mr Evans, we do not comment on issues relating to members of staff.

We know that this is just one side of the coin and I'm positive that the majority of women who work there are content with their working environment, particularly those in certain senior management grades who are doing well in the light of positive discrimination. The Assembly is also a great supporter of women attempting to achieve a fair work-life balance. This is not to say that any such promotion isn't deserved, but Mrs Davies' picture of a woman's life in the Assembly isn't one that most women experience and deal with on a day-to-day basis.

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Comments are closed on this post as plenty was said HERE and HERE.

Feeling Hain's Pain: Stop pointing the finger at me!

Some argue that 2007/08 is Plaid's year in Welsh politics. Should Labour allow them to have a scalp? Who will save Peter?

Unless you've been stuck in solitary confinement for several weeks you'll be aware that Peter's in trouble - just take a look at the daily papers - you can take your pick. He's also been getting two jobs done on a wing and a prayer while under constant criticism from other political parties about his dual role.

Will he survive? If the press has got anything to do with it then I think not. I browsed the Internet yesterday and here's what I found:

Western Mail

• Hain says sorry over failure to declare campaign donations, 9th January.
• Hain to make public his accounts in campaign row, 10th January.
• Hain under attack over £103k gifts, 11th January.
• Official Hain donations complaint made, 11th January (icWales).
• It’s inevitable Peter Hain will have to resign, 12th January.
• Hain’s political future in hands of watchdog. 12th January.
• Misery deepens for Peter Hain, 12th January.
• Expensive campaign might cost Cabinet job, 12th January.
• Hain: I am getting on with my job, 12th January (icWales).

That's plenty of coverage in just a few days from one newspaper - Wales' own daily - The Western Mail. If he's collecting cuttings for his scrap book and takes all daily papers he's going to have to stock up on glue.

I remember a time when they talked about his day-job:

• Hain wants claimants to take vacancies
• Peter Hain says pensions plan’s vital to prevent crisis

Will we revert to talking about Peter Hain and his role as Secretary of State, not his predicament of facing three separate inquiries that may seal his fate? Not for a while it seems.

AMs Question Internal Inquiry by the Civil Service

Following on from Miss Wagstaff's post on internal investigations carried out by the Welsh Assembly Government, it is now reported that two Assembly Members are questioning the decision of the senior staff of the Welsh Assembly Government to hold such an internal inquiry in the first place.

A court this week decided that Graham Evans, 54, of Penpedairheol, Caerphilly, had made lewd comments to a female colleague and assaulted her outside a pub toilet. He currently works as a highways chief for the Welsh Assembly Government and is also a respected soccer referee for more than 20 years.

The Western Mail reports:

Cardiff Central AM Jenny Randerson said the court’s decision threw up questions on how the Assembly had previously conducted its own investigation into the matter:

This must have put Mr Evans’ job in serious doubt. My concern is that this story was related to sexual harassment and that there had been an internal investigation carried out by the Assembly and no action had been taken. That must now be looked into. It was stated there had been no evidence, but there was obviously enough evidence in the court case. This must also call into question the Assembly human resources procedures.

The court case has also left Mr Evans’ role as a referee [football] in an awkward position as he takes charge of women’s games and also acts as referees’ instructor for up-and-coming officials.

Plaid Cymru South Wales Central AM Chris Franks said:

This case has potential for further legal and disciplinary actions. I haven’t had any prior knowledge of the issue. These matters are dealt with by senior civil servants and AMs tend not to be involved. Senior civil servants would have been responsible for investigating the initial complaint and we must hope the matter has been fully and properly investigated. Senior civil servants must insist that all staff are properly treated in their professional lives.

Judge Patrick Curran QC, who decided the case, found Mr Evans to be neither a “straightforward” or “careful” witness. And he pointed out the transport chief even tried to backtrack on his own statement which he originally swore was true.

The revelations pile yet more pressure on the troubled civil servant.

In his written judgement, Judge Curran said:

He was and still is an established team leader with a great deal to lose if he had been caught engaging in misconduct of the type alleged. He sought, on a detail of considerable importance to one aspect of his case, to depart from a statement made in a witness statement in respect of which he had signed a statement of truth.

The Welsh Assembly Government has since refused to comment on the case. The stance has been matched by the Football Association of Wales.

Peter Hain: Cock-up doesn't fit the bill

Yes, I know I said in a previous post this is a Peter Hain free blog, however, the most recent revelation need posting on. To be perfectly honest, I'm now even more annoyed with myself for having to be in complete agreement with Elfyn Llwyd MP - The Secretary of State's position is untenable.

Plaid Cymru has called for Peter Hain's resignation after fresh revelations about the funding of his failed Labour deputy leadership bid. Elfyn Llwyd, Plaid's parliamentary leader, said the work and pensions secretary's position was "untenable".

The call comes after it emerged a trustee of a think tank which channelled £25,000 into Mr Hain's bid was also the campaign's treasurer. The cash in the form of five donations was not declared to the authorities.

Mr Hain, who is also Welsh secretary and MP for Neath, is under fire after failing to declare more than £100,000 in donations to his deputy leadership campaign. More than £25,000 in donations and a further loan of £25,000 were made by individuals through the Progressive Policy Forum, a little-known think tank, which does not have a website and whose registered address is a solicitor's office in London.

A spokeswoman for Mr Hain said that he stands by everything he said in his statement and will not be making any further comment.

Plaid's Mr Llwyd told BBC Wales the latest revelations meant Mr Hain's position was no longer tenable:

John Underwood was treasurer of the campaign - he must have known of donations...Yesterday I didn't say Mr Hain should consider his position, but today's revelations are dynamite...More than sorrow than in anger, I am forced to say his position is untenable...This appears to be playing fast and lose with the law and cabinet ministers can't do that.

Update 1: Peter Hain has been reported to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner for failing to declare £103,156 in gifts to his Labour deputy leader bid.

Update 2: According to David Cornock (BBC Wales) "One of the actual donors involved may ring a few bells. His name is Steve Morgan. It appears that Peter Hain's campaign manager - the man who claimed to bring order to chaos - failed to declare a donation from himself."

Assembly Government Spin Doctors Costing Taxpayers £438k

The Assembly Government is to take on two new 'spin doctors' costing the taxpayer nearly £110,000.

The Assembly will now have a total of seven full-time and two part-time spin doctors, officially known as special advisers, costing about £438,000.

However, it still has fewer advisers than either the Scottish government or the Northern Ireland Executive.

At a meeting of the Cabinet, First Minister Rhodri Morgan said that the Privy Council had approved the request for the two extra appointments, which are to be recruited by open competition. They will then join the others in Cabinet Secretariat in Cardiff Bay.

Special advisers straddle the centre ground between the civil service and the parties of government. Although civil servants, they are allowed to give party political policy advice to ministers and sometimes deal directly with the media.

Opposition leader Conservative Nick Bourne, hit out at the appointments and questioned the openness of the Assembly Government:

I’m very surprised this has all been done secretly. No permission has been sought from the Assembly for these extra advisers. For a government which prides itself on openness I think I think this is very worrying. At a time when money is scarce I am wondering how they have managed to find this extra money for advisers.

Looks like Dafydd Wigley will now be able to join the salaried Plaid SpAds that include Simon Thomas and Rhuanedd Richards.

Peter Hain free blog

I have posted far too much in recent weeks on the Rt Hon Peter Hain MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions & Secretary of State for Wales. So much has happened - or not happened in the case of declaring donations - that it's easy to get caught up in posting twice a day on the subject.

For regular updates please refer to these two gentlemen on the subject of his helter skelter ride, and to eventually learn of his fate:

Two-jobs - one-job - no job?? Gordon decides.

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Update: £103k not declared. Keep it under your hat.

Assembly Senior Civil Servant Accused

The Wales on Sunday, Daily Mail and South Wales Echo have reported in the last few days on a civil court action concerning two Assembly civil servants in relation to sexual harrassment and assault.

I'm disturbed by the following statement:

An internal investigation was carried out by the Assembly Government after Mrs Davies filed a complaint in September 2003. Mr Evans was cleared after the inquiry concluded there was insufficient evidence against him.

Internal investigation! If accusations are made and a crime has allegedly been committed then the police should've been informed. It should distress staff and the wider public that such organisations can try to take matters into their own hands.

Call me an old fashioned girl, but I thought it was up to the police to examine all the evidence and to determine whether or not a crime has been committed - then take the appropriate action. It shouldn't even be an internal disciplinary matter to begin with. Organisations shouldn't try to take these matters into their own hands, even if their intentions are honourable to begin with, as it just looks as it they are attempting a cover up in the long run.

Whether a crime has or hasn't been committed in this case, a civil court action doesn't suffice and something should've been done nearer to the time of the alleged incident(s). Because of the actions of the organisation and the lack of action from both individuals at the time, we have now experienced a trial by media and speculation.

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Update: The BBC and Western Mail have reported that Mr Evans has been ordered to pay damages for sexually harassing a female colleague. Judge Curran QC said Mr Evans' assertion that Mrs Davies had conspired with a colleague to invent the story "bore all the marks of desperation".

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Mrs Davies said she complained to senior assembly officials who launched an internal investigation into her claims. But the court heard officials took no further action against Mr Evans because of "insufficient evidence". She resigned from her job on medical grounds.

An assembly spokesman said he could not comment on the case or confirm whether any action would be taken against Mr Evans.

Pippa Wagstaff: Some people go too far

I would've thought that I've given enough away about my personality and identity from a selection of comments and posts over the last couple of months to satisfy a few, but not enough for some.

Not only has Bethan Jenkins AM raised questions, giving me a virtual slap across the face, but I've now received an email which has slapped the other cheek.

I'll hazard a guess that the following email is in response to an earlier post and there's still some confusion. Blogging certainly requires a thick skin.

Christine

Congratulations on your appointment to the Pembroke Coast National Park Authority. It goes without saying, commiserations for not getting another term on the Welsh Assembly but your workload should re-energise you. Well done!

Regards,

Ellenor from Australia.

Part of the Union

Labour through and through, or so we thought.

35.9
The percentage of Welsh people in employment who are members of a trade union – higher than both England and Scotland.
65.4
The percentage of public sector workers who are members of a union: public administration, health and education are more likely to have high numbers of unionised workers. The over-50s are twice as likely to be members of a union than the under-25s, and if you work in a company employing 50 people or more, you’re twice as likely to join up.
21.1
The percentage of Welsh private sector workers who are members of a union.
384,000
The number of public sector workers in Wales; the figure represents 29.3% of the nation’s total workforce. Cardiff has the highest percentage in Wales, 35%, with Flintshire, at 22%, having the lowest.

2008 Candidate for US President Quiz

Everyone else seems to be doing it so I don't want to be left out. Here are my results from the Pick Your 2008 Candidate for President quiz (I'm surprised!):

86% Barack Obama
85% Hillary Clinton
83% John Edwards
80% Chris Dodd
80% Bill Richardson
77% Joe Biden
56% Dennis Kucinich
53% Mike Gravel
52% Rudy Giuliani
50% Mitt Romney
48% John McCain
40% Tom Tancredo
35% Mike Huckabee
34% Fred Thompson
19% Ron Paul

All I need to do now is become an American citizen in time to vote.

Technorati and the Desktop Meme

I've only just noticed that Damon Lord has tagged me into what's known as the Desktop Meme, where you share with others a view of what your desktop looks like - folders [warts] and all.

Firstly, although I think it's an interesting prospect that would bring you a little closer to the psyche of a fellow blogger - good or bad - I find this difficult to carry out in my case as on my desktop is a cute picture of my little boy in 'cheeky boy' pose.

Secondly - and the reason why I'm bringing it up in this post - is that only recently I've noticed this particular tagging, and that I've also noticed that Technorati is rather slow these days in tracking those that have tagged you on their blog, and is becoming unreliable. Has anyone else noticed this? I'm positive that the more technical minded would've already posted on this, but thought it worth a mention.

Before I go. Why do I get the impression that most men have pictures of women on their desktop? ;)

Older People's Champion

It seems a Champion for Older People has finally been announced. First Minister Rhodri Morgan is due to announce the appointment of a Commissioner for Older People - the first such post in the UK (we've been here before when in 2001, Wales was the first part of the UK to name a Children's Commissioner).

Ruth Marks, who is currently director of the Royal National Institute of Blind People in Wales, will take up her role in April. She has vowed to "ensure that the voice of older people is heard" and that they are involved in all policy making.

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As well as looking at the interests of older people as a whole, the commissioner will be able to look at the effects that public bodies, such as the Welsh Assembly and NHS, have on them, and may publish reports on recommendations for change.

Speaking about her role, Ms Marks said:

Wales proportionately has more older people than other parts of the UK. The numbers are set to increase and that's why I think it's so important Wales is leading the way...It is a cause for celebration that we are living longer and healthier lives, but that doesn't mean older people in Wales have no difficulties to face...Some older people may be struggling financially, others are unable to access the services they need, and many are isolated and lonely...In the worst circumstances older people are abused and neglected.

Rhodri Morgan said Wales was setting an example for others to follow:

Wales is widely recognised as a world-leader in giving older people a greater say in developing services...This unique commissioner will further consolidate Wales' reputation.

Not in the majority of areas, Mr Morgan - not in the majority of areas [setting an example for others to follow].

Health: Carving up the NHS

Health and happiness in the new year is not what it seems in the countries of the United Kingdom. It looks as though while most of us were carving up the Christmas turkey, others were analysing the carving up of the NHS.

There are now four different NHS systems operating in the UK since devolution, according to health chiefs.

As the NHS enters its 60th year, NHS Confederation boss Gill Morgan has told the BBC the health service is now in a unique position in its history. Ms Morgan said while the underlying principles of free health care still stand, patients in the UK's four nations are getting different services. Patient groups said the situation was breeding envy. Ms Morgan, whose organisation represents NHS trusts and health boards, said there was no longer a universal system across the UK, as there had been when it was set up by the Attlee government in the summer of 1948.

She told the BBC News website:

We basically have four different systems albeit with the same set of values...This period [since devolution] has been unique in the history of the NHS as it was essentially the same across the UK before devolution...We have had a complete split in philosophy...The model in England is about contestability and choice driving service improvements. Outside organisations have been brought in and patients can shop around...That model has been rejected by the other three...

In Scotland, where people have been given free personal care - unlike the means-tested systems elsewhere - Ms Morgan said there has been much more consensus. She described the approach as the "collectivist model". "They have very little contestability...They have been slower to improve waiting than England, but much less tension between doctors and managers.

"In Northern Ireland there has been very big structural change and more integration between health and social care."

And in Wales, which has received praise in England for introducing free prescriptions, she said the close working relationship between local government and the NHS had had an impact on public health. She said it was too early to say which was more successful and in the coming years the differences would become even "greater". "All we can say is that patients are experiencing different systems, each one has its advantages and we will have to wait to see what happens."

But Joyce Robins of Patient Concern said the differences were "breeding envy". "Patients are increasingly looking across national borders and wondering why they are not getting the care others are getting. "I am not sure that is good for the NHS."

Michael Summers, vice chair of the Patients Association, said England was lagging behind the rest of the UK. "England - for some reason - seems to have been the poor relation."

And Professor Chris Ham, a former government adviser and Birmingham University heath expert, said the NHS had proved an important battleground since devolution.
"Health is the most important service devolved governments have power over."

GOING THEIR OWN WAYS?

England - NHS market created whereby hospitals and community services have to compete with the private sector for patients, resulting in big falls in waiting times.
Scotland - Doctors have much more of a say in services, with limited involvement from the private sector. Meanwhile, patients enjoy free personal care, unlike the means-tested systems elsewhere.
Wales - Close working relationship between the NHS and local government, which has meant more innovation on public health, but less emphasis on waiting times.
Northern Ireland - Somewhat hamstrung by political situation, but re-organisation of trusts pushed through and good integration between social care and NHS.

WALES

Wales, compared to the other UK countries, has paid much more attention to public health.

As soon as the Welsh Assembly was set up it began planning for the creation of the National Public Health Service for Wales. The service acts as an advisory and funding body for the 22 local health boards that oversee the health service. They work closely with the 22 local authorities that mirror their boundaries. It means Wales has adopted a much more integrated and forward-thinking approach to addressing public health, including school nutrition and child obesity programmes long before they became popular elsewhere.

Dr Michael Dixon, chairman of the NHS Alliance, which represents health professionals working in the community, said: "The make up of their health boards tend to be more cosmopolitan in involving local government and the voluntary sector. "This in turn has meant Wales has been much more proactive on public health."

But this push has had a consequence. Professor Ham said: "They have concentrated so much on preventing ill-health that they have been slow to address problems with the actual system."
This has meant that the Welsh Assembly Government has struggled to make progress over waiting lists.

Indeed, during the election campaign earlier this year, opposition parties picked up on the fact that there were 60,000 more patients on the waiting lists than compared to eight years ago.

The assembly government has started trying to address the situation with targets. The most recent of these is an eight-month goal for hospital treatment, but this is compared to the 18-week target hospitals in England are currently working towards.

Unsurprisingly, Welsh politicians prefer not to dwell on these figures. Instead, First Minister Rhodri Morgan crowed in January that Wales had managed to make the English jealous by introducing free prescriptions.

I'm sure that someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I've always been led to believe that the majority of those in receipt of prescriptions in Wales [prior to free prescriptions] have always fallen into that category, and never paid for their prescription.

Kirsty Williams AM: Out In The Cold?

Hat tip to the 'anonymous' who's been giving me the impression that someone has it in for Kirsty.

Permanent Secretary to the Welsh Assembly Government

Just in case some of you were thinking of applying as the deadline is upon us.

PERMANENT SECRETARY TO THE WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT

These notes provide candidates with information on the above appointment. Paragraphs 16 to 22 give information on how to apply. Please note that applications need to be received at the address, email or fax number given in paragraph 17 by 10 January not later than noon.

Background
1. The Welsh Assembly Government is the devolved government for Wales, with wide-ranging responsibilities for developing policy and putting it into practice. Its law-making powers, originally bestowed by the Government of Wales Act 1999, have recently been enhanced (by the Government of Wales Act 2006). Its four priorities are currently: helping more people into jobs; improving health; developing strong and safe communities; and creating better jobs and skills. The list of policy areas for which the Welsh Assembly Government is responsible is at Annex A.
2. The First Minister of Wales is the Rt. Hon. Rhodri Morgan AM and he has appointed 8 Welsh Ministers to serve in his Cabinet, which is the main decision making body of the Welsh Assembly Government.
3. Assembly Government Ministers are supported by a workforce of over 6,000 civil servants, just over half of whom are located in Cardiff with the remainder based in 80 or so Assembly Government offices across Wales and elsewhere. Assembly Government civil servants, led by the Permanent Secretary, are accountable to Assembly Government Ministers who are in turn accountable to the National Assembly for Wales; this is the legislative body, which comprises 60 elected Members and is based in Cardiff.
4. The Welsh Assembly Government is one of the largest public sector bodies in Wales, with an annual budget of over £14 billion. It is a young organisation which is maturing fast following the establishment of devolved government in Wales in 1999. It is at the leading edge of reform of the Welsh public sector, with the aim of delivering better integrated and more responsive services for the people of Wales.
5. The Welsh Assembly Government comprises eight Policy Departments and five Corporate Departments. The Heads of Department form the core of the organisation’s Management Board, chaired by the Permanent Secretary, which also includes non-executive Directors – currently two, with up to two more being sought through open competition to take up post early in 2008.
6. Over half of the staff is located in Cardiff, with the other 45% in over 80 Assembly Government offices around Wales and further afield. By 2010, over 50% of staff will be working outside Cardiff. There is a target for securing recurrent administrative efficiency savings of £10.6m for 2007-08, increasing to £12m in 2008-09.
7. The people of Wales, and their government, face unprecedented challenges. The programme of government set out in One Wales: A progressive agenda for the government of Wales meets these challenges head on. It offers a progressive agenda for improving the quality of life of people in all of Wales’s communities, from all walks of life, and especially the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. The ambition is no less than to transform Wales into a self-confident, prosperous, healthy nation and society, which is fair to all.
8. Further information is available on the website.

The role
9. The key elements of the role of Permanent Secretary are:
· chief policy adviser to the First Minister and the Assembly Government Cabinet;
· Principal Accounting Officer, accountable to the National Assembly for Wales for Assembly Government expenditure;
· head of the Assembly Government civil service, with leadership responsibility for the organisation and for its corporate strategic direction, priorities and results; and
· an active role in the corporate leadership of the UK-wide civil service, through membership of the Civil Service Management Group and other corporate contributions.
10. The functions and responsibilities of the job include:
· overseeing the provision of all strategic advice to the First Minister and the Assembly Government Cabinet;
· leading and driving internal business change, through defining corporate strategic aims and setting priorities for improving the organisation’s capacity to deliver Assembly Government policies;
· allocating and managing financial and staff resources in line with Assembly Government priorities;
· assessing and managing strategic risk, and overseeing a transparent system of prudent and effective controls;
· motivating and developing a large senior management team, and providing strategic and personal leadership to the wider Senior Civil Service management team (of around 140 people);
· protecting and enhancing the organisation’s reputation for administration and delivery, and aspiring to set the standard for the public service in Wales; and
· developing and managing effective relationships with the Assembly Government Cabinet, the Assembly, Whitehall and the Devolved Administrations, key partners and stakeholders, and others.

The person
11. The successful candidate should ideally possess the following qualities and characteristics:
· Leadership: a strong track record of successfully driving change and delivery in a complex and demanding environment;
· Political awareness: a thorough understanding of the constitutional and political context within which the Welsh Assembly Government operates, together with the ability to identify and defuse potentially sensitive issues and to operate effectively in a highly transparent environment;
· Determination and personal resilience: the capacity to find a way through difficulties and to persevere in the face of criticism, including criticism in the media/public domain;
· Communication: the ability to articulate clear messages to staff, partners and stakeholders, and to manage complex relationships across boundaries;
· Personal effectiveness: the ability to inspire and motivate through personal example, to set and uphold standards, and to see through tough decisions when necessary;
· Financial Management: an understanding of what it means to be personally responsible for a large and complex budget, and for maintaining strong governance arrangements;
· Knowledge of Wales: an excellent appreciation of the policy issues facing Wales and a sensitive understanding of what matters to the people of Wales;
· Welsh language skills: experience of operating in a bilingual environment could be an advantage; as could the ability to speak Welsh although this is not essential.

Terms and conditions of employment
12. This is a permanent appointment under normal Civil Service terms. An attractive package will be offered. The current minimum is £148,841 and the starting salary will be set with the agreement of the independent Permanent Secretaries Remuneration Committee, taking account of experience and relativity to other similar Permanent Secretary posts. The salary will be reviewed annually by the independent committee. Like others at this level the appointee will be eligible for a non-consolidated bonus depending on performance against their specific delivery objectives. There is an annual leave allowance of 30 days, plus 8 days’ bank holiday and 2.5 privilege days taken at fixed times of the year.
13. The retirement age for the Civil Service is currently 65. Unless you decide otherwise, pension benefits are provided under the Civil Service Pension Scheme. The headquarters of the Welsh Assembly Government is in central Cardiff and relocation expenses may be available if you have to move to take up the appointment.

Equality and Diversity
14. We are committed to supporting the principle that everybody should have the same opportunities for employment, development and progression. This should be based on their ability, competence and suitability for the job.This means that no applicant or employee should receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of their race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, religion, family or domestic responsibilities, or working patterns. Also, nobody should be disadvantaged by any specific conditions or requirements, unless it can be justified that these could affect their ability to do the job.

Speaking with a representative of the so-called Welsh Civil Service yesterday morning, I was reminded that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition. Unless there happens to be an impressive person of Welsh descent roaming the corridors of Whitehall in search of what was previously seen in HR terms as a stepping stone to higher office.

It's no job for a lady - or should that read - rarely a job for a lady. Rachel Lomax, Sir Jon Shortridge's predecessor at the former Welsh Office remains the only woman to head-up the 'Wales Department' in its various guises. As the New Year's Honours list is still topical - it reminds me that she still remains the only Permanent Secretary of that department (1996-1999) not to have been given a titular honour.

Happy New Year