WRA Policy Adviser

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 Senior Policy Adviser, the Policy Adviser will play a key role in supporting the purpose of the WRA’s Tax Strategy and Policy team.

The team leads development of WRA policy and guidance on service delivery and the application of devolved taxes. It also provides advice and support on complex tax risks, and works in partnership with the Welsh Treasury on the strategic and administrative design of the system of devolved taxes in Wales. Policy developed by the team supports the efficient, fair and effective delivery of our services for taxpayers and their agents, and also establishes lawful and proportionate compliance, litigation and enforcement strategies based on WRA’s civil and criminal enforcement powers.

You will need to be a great team player, possess strong analytical skills and enjoy working with others to find innovative solutions to complex problems. Able to manage a varied and challenging workload effectively, you will be a key player working across the WRA. To be successful in the role, you will need to enjoy engaging with a diverse network of stakeholders, tracking developments in their policy area, and communicating technical matters and advice clearly and simply to a range of audiences.

The work of the Tax Strategy & Policy team varies according to emerging issues and trends, delivery of WRA priorities and wider Welsh Government strategy for the devolved taxes in Wales. We are looking for individuals who can work flexibly and collaboratively to resolve uncertainty, and to develop robust solutions to challenging issues. To enjoy the role, you will need to appreciate that the WRA is still forming and there is much to do, and that the role will change over time as our approach to delivery of Welsh taxes develops.

“This is an opportunity to join a small team with a wide reach across a range of policy areas and issues. As the WRA is still a young organisation there is a genuine opportunity to influence and shape our direction across a range of policy areas. You will work collaboratively with all of our teams.

The breadth and variety of the role is exciting; you can provide advice to operational colleagues on the application of tax legislation one day, and explore new areas of operational policy the next.”

• Dave Matthews, Strategy Director (interim)

• Coordinate and lead on policy development and the provision of technical advice on the practical application of the Tax Collection and Management (Wales) Act 2016.

• Lead on maintaining and updating the WRA’s published guidance: taking decisions on the content and format of guidance; reviewing content to identify improvements needed and create a pipeline of updates; working across teams to maintain accuracy of guidance; engaging with external stakeholders to explore user requirements;

• Quickly build expertise in devolved taxes legislation to provide high quality and timely technical advice on the application of Landfill Disposals Tax (LDT) and Land Transaction Tax (LTT). Ensure that decisions are made and communicated in a way that is sound, clear and lawful;

• Work with policy colleagues to take forward development of particular LDT and LTT issues to review, update and shape the future of the devolved taxes;

• Support development of operational policies and technical advice for the practical implementation of the WRA’s approach to taxing unauthorised disposals of waste under LDT, working closely with teams across WRA and partners such as Natural Resources Wales;

• Support development of aspects of wider WRA operational policy;

• Identify and address issues arising from implementation of tax policy. Working to resolve issues early, and maintain the integrity of the tax system;

• Research and develop policy thinking on wider devolved tax policy, including the implications of possible new powers and functions;

• Build and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders, including Welsh Treasury, wider Welsh Government, other government departments and external stakeholders;

• Support the secretariat for key WRA governance and stakeholders groups: preparing for meetings, recording decisions and actions, and managing relationships with members;

• Identify wider opportunities to contribute to the continuous development and strategic direction of the organisation;

• Opportunity to develop as a policy professional with direct experience of collaborating and policy making in an operational environment.

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.

Job contact :

Name :
WRA Recruitment Team
Email :
Recruitment@wra.gov.wales
Telephone :
03000254000

Recruitment team :

Email :
Recruitment@wra.gov.wales