Elections Policy Manager x 3

Purpose of post:

An opportunity to join a unique policy area managing the democratic underpinning of local and national politics in Wales. Currently focusing on a broad reform and innovation agenda, the Elections Division is responsible for electoral administration, reform and engagement. Working on policies to ensure that elections in Wales are safe, fair, accessible and secure. The teams cover a wide spectrum of subjects such as democratic engagement, digital innovation in elections, voter accessibility and candidate safety.

There will be an initial focus on legislation and other preparation for the next Senedd elections in 2026, the first with a larger Senedd of 96 Members and a new fully proportional closed list voting system.

Post holders will have the opportunity to work closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including colleagues in local government, private sector suppliers, other UK Governments, the Electoral Commission, and third-sector organisations. There will be opportunities to take part in ongoing policy development and innovation, then carrying this through to implementation before the next Senedd elections in May 2026 and the next Council elections in May 2027.

These include a broad range of subjects such as managing the significant changes to the electoral system in Wales, establishing a new electoral management body, digital innovations intended to improve the electoral process for voters and candidates and ensuring voting is accessible to every member of the public. Other areas include Policy relating to local government boundary reviews and measures to support diversity of candidates.

Key tasks:

• Working with internal and external stakeholders to support a joined-up approach to the ambitious programme of electoral reform being taken forward in recent legislation. This includes the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Act 2024 and the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024.
• Assisting with the development of postal voting and digital innovation policy within elections, including the introduction of new systems, refining existing processes and planning longer term changes.
• Working with the electoral community to consider and agree the workability of the changes being made to the rules for Senedd elections.
• Supporting policy development and stakeholder engagement in relevant areas of elections policy.
• Leading responses to relevant government business including Ministerial correspondence, OAQs and Diary Case engagements.
• Preparing advice to Ministers on the progress of legislation, policy development and implementation.
• Secretariat and project management support for the programme to remake the rules for Senedd elections.
• Liaising with electoral suppliers, developing a regular engagement schedule to create and sustain a supplier network.
• Co-ordinating the preparation of impact assessments and Explanatory Memorandums for relevant policy areas.
• Leading on the process for replacement of key external statutory posts including Regional Returning Officers, as necessary.

Hybrid working:

Welsh Government have a hybrid working model based on being in your contracted office when there is a business requirement or when it suits your individual preference. Our staff are able to work from alternative locations, including from home when there is no requirement to be in their contracted office. The advertised roles are being advertised on that basis and not on a remote basis.

Closing date:

23/04/2025, 16:00