Nature Based Solutions Specialist

Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru / Natural Resources Wales; Wales; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Lead Specialist Advisor to drive transformative change in the Nature-Based Solutions sector. This pivotal role involves shaping government policy and organizational strategies while guiding innovative approaches to environmental challenges. You will lead the development of alternative regulatory frameworks, enhance permitting processes, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. If you are passionate about sustainable solutions and have a strong background in environmental policy, this opportunity is perfect for you. Join a committed organization that values professional growth and diversity in the workplace.

Benefits

Civil Service Pension Scheme

28 days annual leave

Generous leave entitlements

Commitment to professional development

Health and wellbeing benefits

Weekly wellbeing hour

Qualifications

• Strong analytical skills with experience in managing successful programmes.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and government policy drivers.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of regulatory frameworks for Nature-Based Solutions.
• Champion continuous improvement and innovative methodologies.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Knowledge of Welsh, UK and EU legislation

Regulatory Principles

Stakeholder Engagement

Innovative Problem Solving

Project Management

Education

Degree in Environmental Science or related field

Job description

Starting salary: £45,367 rising to £50,877 per annum through annual increments being paid each year (pro rata for part time applicants)

Contract type: Permanent

Work pattern: Full time, 37 hours per week (Part time, annualised hours, compressed hours or term time working considered - discussions at interview stage welcome)

Post number: 203850

The role

Are you ready to make a transformative impact on the Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) sector? As our Lead Specialist Advisor, you will be at the forefront of shaping and influencing Government policy, organisational strategies in Wales, and stakeholder agendas. This pivotal role offers the opportunity to guide and inspire the wider organisation with your professional expertise, ensuring innovative approaches and best practices drive progress in this rapidly evolving field.

In This Role, You Will

1. Lead the development of alternative methods to regulation, identifying and implementing creative solutions to complex challenges.
2. Shape and refine alternative regulatory frameworks that align with emerging environmental priorities.
3. Drive the enhancement of permitting service processes, ensuring they are efficient, effective, and forward-thinking.
4. Champion a culture of continuous improvement, embedding innovative methodologies to support sustainable outcomes.
5. Apply regulatory risk models to inform decision-making and support strategic priorities.

This is your chance to take a leading role in an organisation committed to delivering impactful change for the environment and future generations. If you are a driven expert in the field, passionate about innovation and sustainable solutions, we want to hear from you.

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 Eleanor Ellick at [e-mail].

Interviews will take place through Microsoft Teams.

Vetting checks may be required depending on the role. Appointments are normally made within 4 to 6 weeks of the closing date.

What you will do

1. Lead on or support national and strategic projects to achieve well planned and managed integrated solutions that progress effective change and improvement in NRW and for business across Wales.
2. Develop and maintain knowledge of regulatory processes in relation to the team's work plan.
3. In line with our regulatory principles, lead and support on the Teams work to improve, streamline and implement NRW's regulatory approaches to deliver the range of outcomes we seek within the NBS sector.
4. Engage with other specialists to ensure the full range of regulatory requirements are considered and seek input from internal and external stakeholders including Welsh Government.
5. Lead on the development of internal and external guidance.
6. Lead on the mentoring and coaching of staff across NRW to ensure we have sufficient technical and legislative resilience across the organisation to effectively regulate the full range of current NBS and those under development.
7. Lead on the provision of technical advice to the constructed wetlands group on the design, potential use and effective implementation of such developments.
8. Ensure that continuous improvement methods are applied to all your work areas.
9. Undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post.
10. 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.
11. Be committed to your own development through the effective use of your personal development plan (known as Sgwrs).
12. Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.
13. Required to take part in incident response activities.

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.

1. Excellent technical understanding of a range of Nature based solutions in the area of nutrient management, with strong analytical skills and experience of managing successful programmes, achieved through substantial work experience in a related field.
2. Be able to work at pace and have a track record of delivery.
3. Knowledge of Welsh, UK and EU legislation as well as Welsh, UK government Policy drivers relevant to nutrient management and nature-based solutions.
4. Experience in informing and influencing government departments/regulators.
5. Experience in forming and maintaining close links with internal and external partners/stakeholders to deliver the outcomes of both a specific function/project/team and the wider organisation.
6. Experience of understanding and applying regulatory principles.
7. Experience of developing guidance and associated training.
8. Being innovative and demonstrating drive to achieve targets.
9. You will be expected to keep up to date with changing regulatory policy and proposed changes to legislation via membership of a relevant professional body or other equivalent means.

Welsh Language Level Requirements

1. Essential: A1 - Entry level (able to use and understand simple, basic phrases and greetings, no conversational Welsh)

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:

1. Civil Service Pension Scheme offering employer contributions of 28.97%
2. 28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days
3. Generous leave entitlements for all your life needs
4. Commitment to professional development
5. Health and wellbeing benefits and support
6. Weekly wellbeing hour to use as you choose

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

If you think you have what it takes to do this role, but don't necessarily meet every single point on the job description, please still get in touch and we will be happy to discuss the role with you in more detail.

We're passionate about creating a diverse workforce and positively encourage applications from under-represented communities. We embrace equality of opportunity irrespective of disability, neurodivergence, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, gender expression and gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, culture, or religion. We put the principles of human rights, equality, fairness, dignity and respect at the heart of our values.

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.

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.