Marine Conservation Advisor

NATURAL RESOURCES WALES; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A public organization focused on environmental conservation is seeking a motivated individual to join their Marine & Coastal Policy & Planning Team. You will work on improving marine conservation advice and contribute to marine protected areas in Wales. The role involves engaging with technical experts, organizing meetings, and managing evidence projects. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical and communication skills, alongside knowledge of legislation regarding marine protected areas. This position offers flexible working conditions.

Benefits

Civil Service Pension Scheme

28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days

Health and wellbeing benefits

Support for professional development

Qualifications

• Ability to process, analyse and interpret large amounts of information.
• Experience of technical analysis and interpretation of environmental data.
• Familiarity with Welsh, UK and EU legislation related to marine protected areas.

Responsibilities

• Support NRW's work on marine conservation advice.
• Develop condition assessments and conservation advice packages.
• Engage with stakeholders in workshops and meetings.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Good communication and interpersonal skills

Knowledge of Welsh, UK, and EU legislation related to MPAs

Experience in programme and project management

Ability to share knowledge

Job description

The role

Are you passionate about the marine environment? Do you have experience of working with others to bring together evidence to support and shape decisions? Then this could be the job for you!

We are looking for someone to join our Marine & Coastal Policy & Planning Team to support NRW's work on improving marine conservation advice and make a positive difference to marine protected areas in Wales. You will work with technical marine experts across the organisation, engaging with other stakeholders as necessary.

The initial focus of the role will be on the Nature Networks funded project entitled Improving Marine Conservation Advice II, focussing on condition assessment and conservation advice packages for cross-border sites.

Initial tasks will include working with marine teams across NRW to:

• Collate the right information to produce and keep our marine conservation advice packages up to date
• Help in the development of condition assessments where necessary
• Consider the best approach to reporting on the condition of marine Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).
• Organise and help run meetings and workshops with specialists to develop and agree the conservation advice.
• Act as secretariat for the project task and finish group, and other groups as required.

We are looking for an experienced, enthusiastic and energetic professional to be part of a Wales wide team of marine experts.

If this sounds like you - applynow!

Come and join our friendly workforce, benefit from our flexible working conditions, and be part of the solution to the climate and nature emergencies our world is facing.

As an organisation we support flexible working. You will be contracted to the nearest NRW office to your home and a suitable hybrid working pattern will be agreed on appointment. Any regular face to face meetings or training will be planned in advance.

To make an informal enquiry about this role, please contact Helen Bloomfield at [e-mail]

Interviews will take place on 26 and 27 February 2026 through Microsoft Teams

Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) check. Appointments are normally made within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date.

About us

Natural Resources Wales has been putting in place an exciting new programme of marine work with support from Welsh Government's Nature Networks Programme. The aim of the programme is to deliver projects that build resilient ecological networks across Wales, focussing on improving the condition of protected sites. NRW will deliver a suite of projects focussed on Welsh coasts and seas. In addition, we will be undertaking feasibility and evidence work that will help us to put in place better management for our coasts and seas in the future.

In this role, you will sit within the Marine and Coastal Policy and Planning Team and work closely with a range of technical specialists in NRW, and partners and stakeholders across Wales.

What you will do:

• Analyse, interpret and synthesise data and evidence drawing on information and data from a range of sources.
• Arrange project meetings with technical specialists and other marine staff including preparing materials for meetings.
• Prepare conservation advice information, drawing on a range of information and data sources.
• Support the preparation of material to inform the development of NRW, WG and other Partners policy, statutory advice and guidance documents.
• Prepare the development of procedures, tools and guidance and lead the delivery of new ways of working.
• Liaise with relevant NRW staff regarding interactions between teams to ensure the timely and effective delivery of project, policy or strategy obligations.
• Project manage small evidence projects, in line with the agreed evidence programme.
• Contribute to task and finish groups, commissioned through the Business Boards, to prepare defined products as required.
• Prepare material to inform advice to WG and other bodies in Wales.
• Undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post.
• Be committed to Natural Resources Wales Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy , together with an understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the post.
• Be committed to your own development through the effective use of your personal development plan (known as Sgwrs).
• Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.

Your qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills

In your application and interview you will be asked to demonstrate the following skills and experience using the STAR method.

• You will have strong analytical skills that enable you to process, analyse and interpret large amounts of technical and non-technical information.
• Knowledge of Welsh, UK and EU legislation related to MPAs; Welsh, UK Government policy drivers in MPA management; and the issues and opportunities in Wales.
• Experience of technical analysis and interpretation of a range of environmental information and data.
• Experience of working in a programme and project management environment.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to share your knowledge and expertise to help solve problems.

Welsh Language level requirements

Welsh language levels

#GRJ, GGL, ENV

Essential: Level A1 - Entry level

Please note if you do not meet the A1 requirement i.e., ability to understand basic phrases and ability to pronounce Welsh names correctly, then NRW offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Benefits

This role will offer a range of benefits, including:

• Civil Service Pension Scheme offering employer contributions of 28.97% (successful internal staff will remain in their current pension scheme)
• 28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days
• generous leave entitlements for all your life needs
• commitment to professional development
• health and wellbeing benefits and support
• weekly wellbeing hour to use as you choose

See full details for all the employee benefits you will receive.

Please keep reading

We're passionate about creating a diverse workforce and positively encourage applications from under-represented communities. We embrace equality of opportunity irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

We are committed to equal opportunities, and we guarantee interviews for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

We want to attract and retain talented and highly skilled staff, so we make sure that our pay scales remain competitive. We advertise the full pay scale on our job descriptions. Appointed candidates start at the first point of the pay scale and annual increments are paid each year.

Unless otherwise stated in the 'Role' section of this advert, Natural Resources Wales is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. Although we hold a Skilled Worker visa sponsorship licence, it applies only to specific roles that meet both the eligibility criteria and salary requirements set out by the UK Government under the Skilled Worker visa route.

We want our staff to grow professionally and personally. From leadership development to access to further and higher education courses, our staff have opportunities to expand their knowledge on variety of topics, stay current in their field and continue to learn as their career progresses.

We are a Bilingual organisation which complies with the Welsh Language Standards. Welsh language skills are considered an asset to NRW, and we encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills.