Appointment of Commissioner of the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales, 2022

Role and responsibilities

Commissioners will be leaders in their field, with senior level experience in a specific infrastructure sector or a related field; or with strategic experience across a wide range of relevant sectors. 

The Commissioners of the NICW will have a unique opportunity to look at Wales’ long-term economic and environment infrastructure needs, shaping future infrastructure networks by having a strong influence on recommendations to the Welsh Government on strategic linkages, dependencies and priorities.  

We are looking to recruit up to 6 Commissioners from a range of backgrounds.

Commissioners will share a real passion for the positive impact that infrastructure can play for all of Welsh society.  Commissioners will recognise the need for future infrastructure decisions to contribute to Wales’ decarbonisation objectives; to tackle the Nature and Climate Emergencies; and to deliver multiple co-benefits across the Future Generations Goals.

Commissioners will be responsible for:

  • Providing expert, impartial advice to the Welsh Government on infrastructure 
  • leading task-and-finish groups on specific NICW projects, and supporting associated projects such as a Young Person’s Infrastructure Board
  • Engaging with stakeholders including government, industry, interest groups, the media and the public to promote NICW and gather a wide range of views on future infrastructure 
  • Using their own personal and/or social media networks to promote the work of the Commission

Person Specification

To be considered, you must be able to demonstrate that you have the qualities, skills and experience to meet all the essential criteria for appointment.  We do not require everyone who joins us to have previous Board experience or to work directly in the infrastructure sector. We seek applications from people who are curious, eager to build and communicate their understanding, of long-term strategic issues. 

Essential Criteria

Capabilities
  • Ability to provide robust, independent advice to the Welsh Government;
  • Ability to process complex information and consider the long-term development of Wales 
  • A problem solver that can communicate complex and challenging recommendations clearly
  • A willingness to step out of their comfort zone to challenge and be challenged and to not avoid risk; 
  • An understanding of the Welsh Government’s infrastructure objectives, its wider policy delivery and finance framework, including the duties and commitments under the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, and the devolution settlement
  • A clear understanding of, and commitment to, equality issues
Experience
  • Experience or an active interest in an economic, social or environment infrastructure sector (such as energy, transport, waste, flood, digital communications) or a related field (such as economics, planning, regulation, project/infrastructure finance, design, engineering, systems architecture and analysis, technology and innovation)
  • A track record of communicating and influencing at all levels.  We are interested in hearing from individuals who can evidence success in communicating very complex, challenging information in a sensitive and effective way
  • Experience of representing organisations in public and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders 

Welsh Language 

The Commission will comprise 8 people: the Chair, Deputy Chair and 6 Commissioners. At least one of the Commissioners is expected to be a fluent Welsh speaker and to represent NICW in public and with the media through the medium of Welsh. 

Key facts about the post

  • Location: Meetings to be held virtually and Pan Wales       
  • Time Commitment: 3 days per month
  • Remuneration: £300 per day plus travel and other reasonable expenses within reasonable limits.