Senior Research Officer

Purpose of the post:

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.

Key tasks:

Some of the key responsibilities include:

• Providing written and oral analysis and briefing for committees in relation to annual reports and accounts, spending plans (e.g. budgets), regular fiscal events and related public policy matters;
• Contributing to improvements and development of accounts and financial scrutiny by the Senedd and other researchers in discussion with other team members, committee teams and others, including developing and taking forward ideas;
• Sourcing and summarising statistical, economic and financial information, including the relevant policy, in a range of subject areas in response to requests from individual Senedd Members and their staff to their deadlines.
• Developing effective relationships with Members of the Senedd and their staff to win their trust and confidence, and work collaboratively with colleagues from across the Senedd, Audit Wales, external stakeholders, academics and information providers.
• Working with and supporting colleagues around the organisation to improve their skills, understanding and use accounting and financial information.
• Developing and maintaining expertise, in particular in relation to the work of the Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee and Finance Committee. Making use of this knowledge to improve services to committees, Members of the Senedd and information available to the wider public.

Similar to all posts in Senedd Research, you are likely to have to cover subject areas outside your immediate field of expertise in response to the information priorities of our customers and to work flexibly as necessary.

Job Specific criteria:

1. Communication skills: You will be a strong communicator and will have excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
2. Research skills: You will have excellent research and numeracy skills. These include the ability to critically review, summarise and communicate written and numerical information accurately to different audiences..
3. Sound judgmentYou will demonstrate sound judgement, free from any political or organisational bias and have experience of making effective decisions in challenging situations.
4. Subject knowledge: Holds an economics/finance/accountancy degree or a professional accountancy qualification (CCAB or equivalent), or has significant experience of in a central, local government financial or auditing role.