3311 - Bilingual Legislative Text Editor

Welsh Government; Wales; On-site; GBP 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A government body in the UK is looking for a skilled legal editor proficient in Welsh to oversee bilingual legislative texts. The successful candidate will deliver high-quality editing work, contribute to training, and ensure legislative compliance. Essential skills include fluent Welsh speaking and comprehension, alongside effective decision-making abilities. This role offers a salary of £37,111 and a comprehensive pension plan, fostering an inclusive work environment with flexible options.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Learning and development opportunities

Civil Service pension with significant employer contribution

Qualifications

• Full understanding of work-related material in Welsh and English.
• Fluent speaking and comprehension required.
• Ability to prepare written material in both languages.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver bilingual editing work according to deadlines.
• Scrutinise and revise Welsh and English legislative texts.
• Assist in bilingual legislative training for incoming staff.

Skills

Welsh language skills

Bilingual Text Editing

Attention to detail

Job description

Overview

The Legal Services Department (LS) of the Welsh Government is responsible for the bilingual drafting of all general subordinate legislation made by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister acting alone, or where appropriate the Counsel General, as well as other bilingual legislative documents. The volume of bilingual subordinate legislation requires a dedicated legal text editing service, situated within LS, to facilitate the accurate and consistent application of Welsh Government drafting guidance and the terminology used in draft bilingual legislation prepared by subject lawyers.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prioritise and deliver editing work within available timeframes, negotiating deadlines or subsequent revisions as necessary.
• Undertake comparative scrutiny, revision and correction of Welsh and English legislative texts in respect of final bilingual drafts of general Welsh Statutory Instruments, local and other subordinate legislation and miscellaneous bilingual legislative documents.
• Consider advice on Welsh terminology, bilingual consistency and equivalence in legislation as reported or published by the Senedd's Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, and contribute advice to official Welsh Government responses to that Committee.
• Scrutinise additional lawyer amendments to legislative texts as required and advise on revisions within specified timeframes for making or laying in draft.
• Contribute linguistic advice to Office of Legislative Counsel lawyers, including Legislative Codes Office staff.
• Assist in the delivery of subordinate legislative training for incoming or established lawyers and administrators, explaining the role and importance of bilingual equivalence and the assurance processes.
• Liaise with the First Welsh Legislative Counsel, drafting lawyers and specialist legal translators where technical corrections or novel terminology may be needed.
• Consult with the Legal Advisers to the Senedd's Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee on drafting and terminology matters.
• Assist drafting lawyers in the timely bilingual checking of all draft affirmative SIs that are amended following withdrawal by Welsh Ministers.
• Contribute information to the Legislative Codes Office databases for current and historical statistical reports on legislation made by Welsh Ministers.

Languages

• Welsh language skills are essential: Full understanding of all work‑related material, fluent speaking and comprehension, and the ability to prepare written material for all work‑related matters.
• Applicants will complete a written Bilingual Text Editing Test followed by an interview. Minimum scores and assessment criteria are applied as described in the selection process.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can support your application, but all statements must be truthful and taken from your own experience. Plagiarism or use of AI outputs presented as your own may result in withdrawal of your application and disciplinary action for internal candidates.

Selection Process and Stages

Welsh Government uses Success Profiles to identify the attributes needed for each role. The process comprises two stages:

• Stage 1 – Application Form
• Stage 2 – Interview

Feedback will be provided only to candidates who attend the interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check and, if applicable, the baseline personnel security standard.

Nationality Requirements

• UK nationals
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries with the right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members with settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members with a valid application for settled or pre‑settled status under EUSS
• Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals and certain family members of Turkish nationals with the accrued right to work in the Civil Service

Technical Skills

• Bilingual Text Editing capabilities will be assessed via a written test prior to interview.

Core Competencies

• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Pay and Pension

Alongside your salary of £37,111, Welsh Government contributes £10,751 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.