Appointment of Commissioner to the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (Welsh Desirable)

Orange Recruitment; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A public commission seeks two Commissioners to oversee electoral boundary reviews and engage with local governance in Wales. Successful candidates will ensure compliance with legislative frameworks and lead initiatives for effective political health while displaying impartiality and analytical skills. The role requires excellent communication abilities, with an understanding of local government processes. Remuneration is set at £292 per day for full working days.

Qualifications

• Experience of statistical data and research analysis.
• Strong communication skills with public and leaders.
• Ability to work impartially and politically neutral.

Responsibilities

• Oversee electoral boundary reviews.
• Engage with local government stakeholders.
• Develop policies for effective electoral processes.

Skills

Effective communication

Analytical skills

Impartiality

Understanding of local government

Political neutrality

Job description

Vacancy title: Appointment of Commissioner to the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (Welsh Desirable)

Closing date: 09/01/2026, 16:00

How many positions: 2

Position type: Commissioner

Name of body: Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru

Location: Cardiff or virtually via MS Teams.

Remuneration: £292 per full day.

Role Description

It is important to note commissioners of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru will work across the full range of the body’s functions, but each will have particular focus on a functional area.

Strategic Functions

Members will:

• Oversee the delivery of Local Government Electoral Boundary Reviews, including one Member taking a Lead Commissioner role for each review.
• Oversee the delivery of Senedd Boundary Reviews.
• Determine the level of payments to elected and co-opted members of Unitary Councils, Town and Community Councils, National Park Authorities and Fire and Rescue Authorities.

Board attendance and participation

• Chair and/or participate in sub-committees contributing to the delivery of programmes of work through the Governance and Audit (DBCC Deputy Chair and two Commissioners), Remuneration (at least four Commissioners) or Electoral Review (at least four Commissioners) sub committees.

Stakeholder Management

• Ensure strong and effective relationships with key stakeholders.
• Lead Commissioner roles – Take responsibility for engagement and communication with council leaders, officers, and other key stakeholders across local government.

Communication and Engagement

• Ensure effective consultation and engagement on proposals in accordance with the Commission’s Communication and Engagement strategy, ensuring feedback is used to support continuous learning and improvement.
• Ensure consultation is fully compliant with statutory legislative framework and used to inform decision making for all electoral reviews and remuneration determinations.
• Ensure Commission decisions are communicated clearly and all communications are accessible.
• Analyse and interpret information and make effective use of evidence to support panel decision making on Local Government Electoral and Senedd Boundary Review options and remuneration.
• Identify trends across all aspects of Commission programmes to inform a research and evidence plan that ensures the Commission is contributing to the Democratic health of the nation.
• Use evidence and research in the provision of advice to the Welsh Government on the state of Democratic health in Wales.

Analysis of information / use of research and evidence to support effective decision making

Policy Development

• Develop policy, practice and robust methodology to support decision making.
• Provide guidance and advice to key stakeholders on the effective running of devolved elections in Wales, remuneration policy and determinations, and electoral reviews.
• Through shared learning, develop and implement guidance for the effective delivery of elections across Wales.

Legislative Framework

• Understand the legislative framework that impacts decisions and Commission work.
• Ensure the Commission is working within the legislative framework.
• Horizon scan for future changes to legislation that are likely to impact the functions of the Commission.

Corporate Governance

• Ensure the organisation is fit for purpose with effective corporate governance arrangements in place in respect to financial and risk management and organisational development.
• Ensure plans and policies are regularly reviewed.
• Provide leadership and strategic direction to the organisation and support the Chief Executive and senior leadership team to delivery corporate objectives and drive a culture of continuous improvement.
• Ensure the delivery of outcomes against the Commission strategy and organisational plan, delivery of Welsh Government objectives and that the Minister’s Remit Letter is fulfilled.

Performance Management and Quality Assurance

• Oversee the quality assurance process for the production of draft and final reports.
• Ensure the effective monitoring of the Commission’s performance.

Person Specification – who are we looking for

The skills and experiences we are looking for are set out below. When submitting your personal statement, you should show how your skills and experiences could be used in this role.

Essential specification

Applicants must be able to demonstrate:

Welsh context

• Understanding of how local government operates in Wales and the importance of democratic health.

Communication

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to individuals ranging across members of the public, elected representatives and senior leaders.
• Ability to exercise independent judgement – make decisions and explain how they have been made.

Analytical and Interpretation skills

• Ability to evaluate a wide range of information, including geographical data and formulate a reasoned conclusion.
• Ability to assess options, identify and formulate solutions using a methodical and analytical approach.

Legislative framework

• Understanding of the legislative framework the Commission operates within to ensure effective robust decision making.

Impartiality

• Ability to remain impartial and objective in offering constructive advice and observation.
• Strong track record of delivering outcomes with an ability to reflect on and learn from own lived experiences

Political neutrality

• Ability to work on basis of strict political neutrality.
• Understanding of and commitment to the Nolan Principles of public life

Corporate governance

• Understanding of importance of effective corporate and financial governance
• Knowledge, skills or experience of financial management, accounting, risk management, audit and accountability structures

Research

• Experience of working with statistical data, and leading on commissioning and analysing research.

Desirable specification Elections

• Experience of co-ordinating or running local government, parliamentary or Police and Crime Commissioner elections

Remuneration

• Experience of elected member remuneration

Welsh Language

Welsh language skills are essential for one of these posts and desirable, but not a pre-requisite for appointment for the two others. However, all candidates will be expected to display an empathy towards the language.

Understanding – Can understand basic conversations about everyday topics

Reading – Can read simple material on everyday topics with understanding

Speaking – Can converse in simple work-related conversations

Writing – Can write simple work-related correspondence

How to Apply

All applications for this vacancy must be made using our online application system.

Unless stated otherwise in the ‘Other vacancy-related information for advert’, the Welsh Government cannot offer Visa sponsorship. Welsh Government holds a Visa sponsorship licence, but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.

Applications are welcomed from people with a diverse range of lived and professional experiences. We are actively committed to becoming an increasingly diverse organisation which represents the diverse communities we serve. There are a number of Diversity networks that staff can participate in, which include the Disability Awareness and Support Staff Network; Minority Ethnic Staff Network; Mind Matters (Mental health and well-being); PRISM (LGBTI+), Women Together and the Neurodivergence Network.

If you have an impairment which prevents you from applying online, please email You can:

• request an application pack in an alternative format
• request a recruitment adjustment to help you submit your application

Use the ‘Apply’ button to submit your application. You will be asked to register if you don’t have an account or sign in if you do. Registration takes a few minutes and you will need an email address.

You should check your Application Centre regularly for updates to your application. Please also check your spam/junk folder in case any communication regarding your application and/or assessment details finds its way there.

Once you’ve registered for an account and logged in, you’ll be taken to the online application form. You must complete this and submit it before the deadline on the closing date. We will not consider an incomplete application form.

If you would like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the Change Language link on this page. We welcome applications in Welsh, and applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than applications submitted in English.

For TS to G6 recruitment schemes:When presenting your evidence, you may find it useful to consider the expectations of the grade as set out in the Grade Description and the main responsibilities that are essential for the role.