Senior Research Officer - Financial Scrutiny Unit

1. The purpose of the role is to provide analysis and information on finance and accounts within the Financial Scrutiny Unit Team in Senedd Research.
2. You will be part of a small and established team that provides specialist financial and economic analysis, briefing and support for Senedd Committees’ examination of public expenditure, taxation and performance - primarily of government departments and other public bodies.
3. The role provides opportunities to work with other parliaments, institutions and stakeholders both in the UK and internationally.

The purpose of the role is to provide analysis and information on finance and accounts within the Financial Scrutiny Unit Team in Senedd Research.

You will be part of a small and established team that provides specialist financial and economic analysis, briefing and support for Senedd Committees’ examination of public expenditure, taxation and performance - primarily of government departments and other public bodies.

You will work closely with committee staff, Audit Wales, Senedd Members and their staff to identify and explain financial issues to non-specialist audiences, writing briefings and articles, suggest lines of questioning, summarise the evidence received and draw issues to Members’ attention. You will also answer questions from Members and their staff.

The Financial Scrutiny Unit Team directly supports the Finance Committee, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee as well as providing support for other Senedd Committees and the Independent Remuneration Board. We summarise key issues from various information sources, including financial statements, communicating these effectively, in lay terms and easily understandable formats.

We have a growing need to quickly interpret and understand technical accounting issues that routinely crop up in the Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee, advising Members of their significance and impact, where appropriate. This particular role will require knowledge of financial reporting requirements for the public sector and keep pace with related developments and good practice.

The team also supports policy teams in Senedd Research to locate, understand and use numerical information. You will advise and work with colleagues in Senedd Research to produce regular briefings, analyses and presentations of government spending and respond to Members’ questions. We have a culture of working across teams to help support each other in times of high demand. You will work in an agile way to support Senedd Research through participation in cross service work.

The Financial Scrutiny Unit Team also has a very wide remit supporting colleagues in other areas of the Senedd Commission meaning you will have the opportunity to work with different teams across the organisation. You will need the ability to build effective working relationships, support and develop others with varying needs, as well as communicate technical outputs to a range of stakeholders and adapt content appropriately for the audience.

The role provides opportunities to work with other parliaments, institutions and stakeholders both in the UK and internationally.

Pattern of Working

• This is a full-time post although flexible working arrangements will be considered, subject to meeting the needs of the Senedd and its Members.

Please note recruitment will normally be at the minimum of the band.

The successful candidate will be subject to security vetting.