Standards Commissioner

Consult; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 5,900 - 7,200; Full time

Job summary

The Senedd seeks a credible Commissioner for Standards to safeguard public confidence and promote the highest conduct standards among Members of the Senedd. Working independently, you will investigate complaints, promote the standards framework, and contribute to public trust in Welsh democracy.

The role requires sound judgement, integrity, discretion and ability to handle complex matters fairly and impartially; remote work is possible and location is Cardiff.

Qualifications

• Promoting and safeguarding high standards of conduct.
• Understanding of public life and standards in public life.
• Experience in handling sensitive matters under scrutiny.

Responsibilities

• Investigate complaints against Members of the Senedd within statutory remit.
• Promote understanding of the standards framework.
• Contribute to public confidence and uphold integrity principles.

Skills

Public integrity

Independent thinker

Complaint handling

Effective communicator

Judgement & discretion

Job description

Remuneration: This post will be remunerated with an annual retainer of £6517.47(paid monthly) and a daily rate of £486.27

Term: Fixed six-year appointment

Location: Tŷ Hywel, Cardiff (remote work will be possible)

The Senedd is seeking to appoint an independent and highly credible individual as the Commissioner for Standards.

This is a unique opportunity to play a vital role in Welsh public life by safeguarding public confidence in the Senedd and promoting the highest standards of conduct among Members of the Senedd.

The Commissioner is appointed by the Senedd but operates independently in carrying out their statutory responsibilities. The role requires sound judgement, integrity, discretion and the ability to consider complex and sensitive matters fairly and impartially.

About the role

The Senedd Commissioner for Standards investigates complaints relating to the conduct of Members of the Senedd, ensuring that the high ethical standards expected of those elected to public office are observed.

Working independently and objectively, you will:

• consider complaints made against Members of the Senedd;
• investigate matters within your statutory remit;
• promote understanding of the standards framework;
• contribute to public confidence in the Senedd and its democratic processes; and
• help ensure that the principles of integrity, accountability and respect are upheld.

The Commissioner's powers and functions are set out in the relevant legislation and supporting procedures.

Who we're looking for

The general attributes of a successful candidate include:

• experience of promoting, encouraging and safeguarding high standards of conduct and a thorough understanding of the contemporary public debate on standards in public life;
• experience in promoting dignity and respect;
• an approach that is independent, authoritative, and pragmatic allied with proven experience of handling complex and sensitive matters under political and/or public scrutiny;
• an appreciation of the work of elected politicians and an understanding of the work of legislative bodies or similar;
• an effective communicator with a track record of securing the trust of the public, politicians, the media and other stakeholders;
• an ability to:
• investigate matters in a timely manner in accordance with relevant legislative and procedural requirements and best practice for complaints handling;
• produce evidence-based findings in relation to particular cases;
• identify and uphold matters of general principle.

We welcome applications from people with a broad range of professional backgrounds and experiences. Diversity of thought, perspective and lived experience strengthens public appointments and public confidence in them.

Why this role matters

The Commissioner for Standards plays a vital role in encouraging public trust in the Senedd, and in those elected to represent the people of Wales, while supporting the effective operation of Welsh democracy.

By bringing independence, expertise and fairness to this important role, you will help sustain that trust and make a meaningful contribution to public life in Wales.

Tâl: Bydd y swydd hon yn cael tâl o ffi gadw flynyddol o £6517.47 (a delin yn fisol) a chyfradd ddyddiol o £486.27

Tymor: Penodiad sefydlog o chwe blynedd

Lleoliad: Tŷ Hywel, Caerdydd (bydd gweithio o bell yn bosibl)

Mae'r Senedd am benodi unigolyn annibynnol a hynod gredadwy yn Gomisiynydd Safonau.

Mae hwn yn gyfle unigryw i chwarae rhan hanfodol ym mywyd cyhoeddus Cymru drwy ddiogelu hyder y cyhoedd yn y Senedd a hyrwyddo'r safonau ymddygiad uchaf ymhlith Aelodau o'r Senedd.

Penodir y Comisiynydd gan y Senedd ond mae'n gweithredu'n annibynnol wrth gyflawni cyfrifoldebau statudol y rôl. Mae'r rôl yn gofyn am farn gadarn, uniondeb, disgresiwn a'r gallu i ystyried materion cymhleth a sensitif yn deg ac yn ddiduedd.

Ynglŷn â'r rôl

Mae Comisiynydd Safonau y Senedd yn ymchwilio i gwynion sy’n ymwneud ag ymddygiad Aelodau o'r Senedd, gan sicrhau bod y safonau moesegol uchel a ddisgwylir gan y rhai a etholir i swyddi cyhoeddus yn cael eu dilyn.

Gan weithio'n annibynnol ac yn wrthrychol, byddwch yn:

• ystyried cwynion a wneir yn erbyn Aelodau o’r Senedd;
• ymchwilio i faterion o fewn eich cylch gwaith statudol;
• hyrwyddo dealltwriaeth o’r fframwaith safonau;
• cyfrannu at hyder y cyhoedd yn y Senedd a'i phrosesau democrataidd; a
• helpu i sicrhau bod egwyddorion uniondeb, atebolrwydd a pharch yn cael eu cynnal.

Mae pwerau a swyddogaethau'r Comisiynydd wedi'u nodi yn y ddeddfwriaeth berthnasol a'r gweithdrefnau ategol.

Am bwy rydyn ni'n chwilio

Mae nodweddion cyffredinol ymgeiswyr llwyddiannus yn cynnwys:

• profiad o hyrwyddo, annog a diogelu safonau uchel o ymddygiad a dealltwriaeth drylwyr o’r materion sy’n gysylltiedig â’r ddadl gyhoeddus gyfoes ynglŷn â safonau mewn bywyd cyhoeddus;
• profiad o hyrwyddo urddas a pharch;
• dull sy’n annibynnol, yn awdurdodol ac yn bravmatic ynghyd â phrofiad o ymdrin â materion cymhleth a sensitif sy’n destun craffu gwleidyddol a / neu gyhoeddus.
• gwerthfawrogiad o waith gwleidyddion etholedig a dealltwriaeth o waith cyrff deddfwriaethol neu debyg;
• cyfathrebwr effeithiol sydd â phrofiad helaeth o sicrhau ymddiriedaeth y cyhoedd, gwleidyddion, y cyfryngau a rhanddeiliaid eraill;
• y gallu i:
• ymchwilio i faterion mewn modd amserol yn unol â gofynion deddfwriaethol a gweithdrefnol perthnasol ac arfer gorau ar gyfer ymdrin â chwynion;
• cynhyrchu canfyddiadau sy’n seiliedig ar dystiolaeth mewn perthynas ag achosion penodol;
• nodi a chynnal materion o egwyddor gyffredinol.

Rydym yn croesawu ceisiadau gan bobl ag ystod amrywiol o brofiadau proffesiynol ac o bob cefndir. Mae amrywiaeth meddwl, safbwynt a phrofiad bywyd yn cryfhau penodiadau cyhoeddus a hyder y cyhoedd ynddynt.

Pam mae'r rôl hon yn bwysig

Mae'r Comisiynydd Safonau yn chwarae rhan hanfodol wrth annog ymddiriedaeth y cyhoedd yn y Senedd, ac yn y rhai a etholir i gynrychioli pobl Cymru, tra’n cefnogi democratiaeth Cymru i weithredu’n effeithiol.

Drwy ddod ag annibyniaeth, arbenigedd a thegwch i’r rôl bwysig hon, byddwch yn helpu i gynnal yr ymddiriedaeth honno a gwneud cyfraniad ystyrlon i fywyd cyhoeddus yng Nghymru.