CONTRACT NOTICE – NATIONAL

1 Authority Details

1.1

Authority Name and Address

1.2

Address from which documentation may be obtained

1.3

Completed documents must be returned to:

2 Contract Details

2.1

Title

Policy Officer for Credit Unions of Wales

2.2

Description of the goods or services required

Credit unions are member-owned financial services co-operatives, providing savings and affordable loans products to the people of Wales.

There are currently 18 credit unions in Wales, with a combined 69,000 adult members. At the end of 2018, collectively the movement in Wales held:

• £52 million in assets

• £24 million in loans to members

• £43 million in members’ savings

The first national strategy for credit unions in Wales was agreed by credit unions in 2016, and has since formed the basis of strong subsequent collaboration and progress amongst credit unions, also facilitating Welsh Government support for progressive projects across Wales.

The strategy is now in need of comprehensive review to reflect the changing nature of the sector in Wales, including, the expansion of common bonds, the ongoing development of a national Credit Unions of Wales brand, the recent closure of credit unions, the increasing operational support and co-operation between the majority of credit unions, and interest amongst a number of credit unions to develop a national ICT strategy which reflects common goals and the long term changing needs of members.

Project Description:

To facilitate the development work required, funding has been secured to fund a Policy Officer role until March 2021. The Credit Unions of Wales Project Steering Group, led initially by Cardiff & Vale Credit Union, is therefore seeking proposals to deliver real results for the sector in Wales from either:

• a suitably qualified individual, with experience of policy and strategic engagement, a knowledge of the Welsh context, and an understanding of the issues facing the credit union sector, able to take on a full-time role on a self employed basis, based as needed in a host credit union.

Or

• an organisation which can devote a fulltime individual to delivering the role (this can include the secondment of a credit union employee)

Key Deliverables:

• To develop and deliver a revised national strategy and action plan for the sustainable development of Welsh credit unions, in close partnership with credit unions, delivering full consultation, engagement and support of the strategy from Welsh credit unions

• Maintaining and facilitating links between the Credit Union sector and policy developments in Wales; strengthening the profile of the sector as an essential part of financial inclusion, anti-poverty and social and economic regeneration across Wales.

• To progress agreed strategic priorities of the strategy, including co-ordinating development of a collaborative ICT strategy and agreed standards.

• To represent Credit Unions of Wales as directed, in communications with a range of stakeholders including Welsh Government, National Assembly for Wales and other stakeholders including the regulators, trade bodies, funders, local government, housing providers, universities and major employers

• To support individual member credit unions as directed in strategic and regulatory matters

• To co-ordinate collaboration and best practice sharing between credit unions in Wales and provide secretariat duties for the various working groups

• To communicate the interests and needs of credit unions in Wales to relevant stakeholders, and to build partnerships in pursuit of the strategy for development

• To support and facilitate the Patron roles of Credit Unions of Wales as required

• To work in partnership with the appointed PR company representing Credit Unions of Wales to facilitate the ongoing profile development of the sector in Wales

• With the Credit Unions and their trade bodies, identify a path to sustainability for the role after initial funding ends.

• Any other duties consistent with the role as requested

NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=93540.

2.3

Notice Coding and Classification

2.4

Total quantity or scope of tender

To facilitate the development work required, funding has been secured to fund a Policy Officer role until March 2021. The Credit Unions of Wales Project Steering Group, led initially by Cardiff & Vale Credit Union, is therefore seeking proposals to deliver real results for the sector in Wales from either:

• a suitably qualified individual, with experience of policy and strategic engagement, a knowledge of the Welsh context, financial services and an understanding of the issues facing the credit union sector, able to take on a full-time role on a self employed basis, based as needed in a host credit union.

Or:

• An organisation which can devote a fulltime individual to delivering the role (this can include the secondment of a credit union employee)

3 Conditions for Participation

3.1

Minimum standards and qualification required

Submissions should demonstrate that the individual(s) carrying out the work meet the following criteria:

• Education to degree level or equivalent experience

• Strong knowledge and experience of working with the Welsh Government, National Assembly for Wales and key Welsh stakeholders

• Knowledge and experience of the Credit Union sector and /or financial services and regulation

• Knowledge and experience of developing and delivering strategic action plans

• Experience of working in a commercial or business development role

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing

• A willingness to be flexible and to respond to varying needs

• The ability to work remotely and on own initiative

• Good time management skills and ability to work under pressure

• Good IT skills, particularly Microsoft Office

• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends

Additional desirable criteria includes:

• Previous experience of national policy development

• Knowledge and experience of the Welsh credit union sector

• Experience and knowledge of financial services and financial services regulation

• Welsh language speaker

Further contract terms available in invitation to tender document.

4 Administrative Information

4.1

Type of Procedure

Single stage

4.2

Reference number attributed to the notice by the contracting authority

N/a

4.3

Time Limits

4.5

Language or languages in which tenders or requests to participate can be drawn up

4.6

Tender Submission Postbox

5 Other Information

5.1

Additional Information

Interested parties should refer to the full invitation to tender document attached for instructions and a template for tender submission.

Shortlisted parties will be notified and invited to a final stage presentation day with members from Credit Unions of Wales.

(WA Ref:93540)

5.2

Additional Documentation

5.3

Publication date of this notice