Who we are and what we do
The Commissioner is an independent voice and champion for older people across Wales.
Rhian Bowen-Davies was appointed as the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales on 30 September 2024.
The Commissioner’s role is underpinned by a set of unique legal powers to support her in reviewing the work of public bodies and holding them to account when necessary.
The Commissioner is working for a Wales that leads the way in empowering older people, tackling inequality and enabling everyone to live and age well.
Our Values
Our values are part of everything we do.
These values drive the culture of the organisation and underpin our personal performance objectives.
- Bold and Ambitious
- Adaptable and Responsive
- Fair and Inclusive
- Person-centred and Respectful
- Open and Accountable
Commissioner’s Team
The Commissioner is supported by a small team of staff who work on her behalf to deliver her priorities.
Advice and Assistance: Connect older people with support and services throughout Wales and help to ensure their rights are upheld. The information, assistance and guidance provided by the Advice and Assistance Service directly empowers older people and their families and helps them to understand and claim their rights.
Policy: Subject matter experts working with public bodies and organisations linked to Health and Social Care, Safeguarding, Rights and Equalities and Age Friendly Communities.
Communications: Promotes the work of the Commissioner and ensures effective communication and engagement with older people and stakeholders through media coverage, campaigns, social media and marketing activities.
Corporate Services: Ensures the Commissioner fully complies with her statutory duties relating to financial controls and systems, data protection, and health and safety as well as supporting the day-to-day operation of finance and resources across organisation.
Find out more about the Commissioner's TeamCulture
Through our workplace culture, we strive to create an environment where individuals feel supported, valued, and empowered to contribute their best.
Below you’ll find more information about the principles, practices, and benefits that shape our culture and help to make the Commissioner’s Office a great place to work.
✓ Working environment
Our office address: Cambrian Buildings, Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff, CF10 5FL. It’s a short walk from Cardiff Bay train station and multiple Cardiff bus routes. All roles offer hybrid working, with the opportunity to work from our modern office in Cardiff Bay, from home or a mix depending on the needs of the role.
✓ Supporting you and your family
Full-time staff are entitled to 31 days paid annual leave plus 10 public and privilege holidays per year. Part-time staff are entitled to leave on a pro rata basis.
The Commissioner offers Flexi-Time and provides part-time and flexible working patterns where possible to help best meet business need, achieve the Commissioner’s objectives, and enable members of staff to work in a pattern which supports them to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
We have a range of policies in place that focus on supporting staff experiencing different life events, such as starting a family, living with menopause, caring for a loved one or experiencing bereavement. We’re family and carer friendly with flexible working patterns, hybrid working and specific policies in place to support you.
All staff have access to an Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7, with provides free and confidential counselling services and guidance on a wide range of issues such as finance, relationships or bereavement.
✓ Wellbeing
The Commissioner has multiple workplace policies and practices in place to build and maintain a workplace environment and culture that promotes and supports the health and wellbeing of all staff.
Policies and practices include those focused on physical health and wellbeing such as the Cycle to Work scheme and safe use of Display Screen Equipment, alongside those that support work-life balance and mental wellbeing.
In our most recent staff survey (2024) 100% of staff strongly agreed or agreed that:
- I feel the organisation is committed to building and maintaining a workplace that promotes and supports the health and wellbeing of all staff.
- I feel supported by my line manager
- My manager is considerate of my life outside work
✓ Financial benefits
Employees are auto-enrolled in the Civil Service Pension scheme with generous employer pension contributions, an incremental pay rise, access to free eye care appointments, a cycle to work scheme providing discounts on bicycle purchase and a range of savings and discounts via our staff benefits partner.
✓ Professional development
Opportunities tailored to you and your role, supporting your progression and growth, such as attendance at internal workshops and training sessions, attendance at conferences or events or external courses. As a bilingual employer you’ll also have the opportunity to learn or develop your Welsh language skills.
✓ Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Equality and human rights are embedded throughout the work of the Commissioner and the organisation and this extends to ensuring a workplace that provides equality, dignity and respect for all employees. The Commissioner’s commitment to equality is laid out within her Strategic Equality Plan. The Commissioner ensures that through her work, the English and Welsh languages are treated on a basis of equality.
In our most recent staff survey (2024) 100% of staff strongly agreed or agreed that:
- I think that the organisation respects individual differences (e.g. cultures, working styles, backgrounds, ideas, etc)
- I am treated with respect by the people I work with
Current Opportunities
There are currently no vacancies