Senior Land and Nature Specialist

NATURAL RESOURCES WALES; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental environmental agency in the United Kingdom is seeking a strategic thinker to lead in developing and implementing the Land and Nature Programme. This role requires expertise in managing policies and strategies related to sustainable land use. The successful candidate will provide expert advice to governments and manage complex projects that influence environmental policy. Flexible working patterns and a supportive environment for professional development are offered.

Benefits

Civil Service Pension Scheme with 28.97% employer contributions

28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days

Health and wellbeing benefits

Commitment to professional development

Qualifications

• Experience managing portfolios of work programmes at national, UK, and international levels.
• Membership or working towards membership of a relevant professional institution.
• Ability to engage with high-profile, contentious issues.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the review of complex data to identify gaps in environmental outcomes.
• Develop policies and strategies related to Land and Nature Management.
• Provide advice to Welsh Government and other bodies.

Skills

Knowledge of Welsh, UK, and EU legislation related to Sustainable Land Use and Nature Management

Understanding of Welsh & UK Government & EU policy drivers

Experience in programme and project management

Ability to share expertise to solve problems

Education

Relevant professional qualifications

Job description

Team / Directorate: Land and Nature Group / Evidence, Policy and Permitting

Starting salary: £52,268 rising to £57,726 per annum through annual increments (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)

Interview Date: Week commencing 18 August 2025

Post number: 203818 (For office use only: M, GGL, ENV, GRJ)

The role

We're seeking a strategic thinker to play a key role in our new Land and Nature Group. Reporting to the Land and Nature Manager, you'll drive the development and delivery of the Land and Nature Programme, support cross-group initiatives, and manage the business group's risk register.

As the technical lead in your area of specialism, you'll provide expert advice to Welsh and UK Governments, lead NRW technical governance groups, and influence environmental policy and legislation. We are looking for an individual with expert knowledge of Land and Nature, with a focus on one or more of the following subject areas: forestry, agriculture and land management activities, terrestrial species, and terrestrial ecology. Your expertise will directly influence legislative developments, inform government policy, and shape external stakeholder agendas. Crucially, you'll also help turn complex legislation, policy, and strategy into practical, on-the-ground solutions that support sustainable, responsible land and nature management across Wales.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a lasting impact on Wales' environmental policies and the management of its natural resources.

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 Michelle Griffiths at [e-mail].

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

About us

The Land and Nature Group is part of the Natural Resources Management (NRM) Policy Department within the Evidence, Policy, and Permitting Directorate. This department is responsible for defining and owning the environmental and societal outcomes across ecosystems—including land, water, marine, and cross-cutting areas—to help realise NRW's Corporate Plan vision of nature and people thriving together.

Our team drives this vision by leading integrated environmental planning, prioritising resources where they can have the greatest impact. We work closely with other NRW departments, delivery services, Welsh Government, and partner organisations to provide expert advice and support effective environmental outcomes across Wales.

What you will do

• Lead and manage the review of complex data and information to identify gaps and barriers to achieving environmental outcomes.
• Develop policies, strategies, plans, and programmes for a wide portfolio of disciplines related to Land and Nature Management, including Welsh legislation, and drive collaboration and integration with other relevant areas of policy, strategy, plans, programmes, funding mechanisms, and development planning.
• Provide advice to Welsh Government and other bodies in Wales and the UK as appropriate, and review and advise on produced policy, plans, strategies, and funding mechanisms, including rural investment through agriculture and forestry and green investment initiatives.
• Retain ownership and oversight of Land Use and Nature Management policy area to ensure the integrity of NRW approaches with Welsh and Central Government, supporting operational delivery of policies and programmes.
• Review and provide strategic oversight of evidence needs and opportunities, commission evidence & manage complex evidence projects in line with the evidence programme.
• Lead and contribute to task and finish groups to prepare defined products as required.
• Oversee engagement with Welsh Government on policy areas related to Sustainable Land and Nature Management.
• Collaborate to develop and deliver an agreed Sgwrs plan.
• Undertake health and safety duties appropriate to the post.
• Commit to NRW's Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy and understand its operational implications.
• Engage in personal development through your personal development plan (Sgwrs).
• Perform any other duties reasonably requested, consistent with the grade of the role.

Your qualifications, experience, knowledge, and skills

In your application and interview, demonstrate the following using the STAR method:

• Knowledge of Welsh, UK, and EU legislation related to Sustainable Land Use and Nature Management.
• Understanding of Welsh & UK Government & EU policy drivers and issues in Wales.
• Deep understanding of Land and Nature Management and the drivers and barriers to delivery.
• Experience managing portfolios of work programmes at national, UK, and international levels.
• Experience in programme and project management, with relevant qualifications.
• Membership or working towards membership of a relevant professional institution.
• Experience representing organisations in high-profile, contentious issues.
• Ability to share expertise to solve problems and support colleagues.

Welsh language level requirements

• Essential: Level A1 - able to use and understand simple, basic phrases and greetings, no conversational Welsh.

If you do not meet the A1 requirement, NRW offers learning options and support to help you meet these during employment.

Benefits

This role offers benefits including:

• Civil Service Pension Scheme with 28.97% employer contributions.
• 28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days.
• Generous leave entitlements.
• Commitment to professional development.
• Health and wellbeing benefits.
• Weekly wellbeing hour.

See full details of employee benefits.

We are passionate about diversity and encourage applications from under-represented communities. We guarantee interviews for disabled candidates meeting minimum criteria. We offer competitive pay scales, and staff development opportunities. We are a bilingual organisation complying with Welsh Language Standards, and support staff in developing Welsh language skills.