Technical Advisor – Flood and Coastal Risk Management Higher Professional Technical Officer

ICE Recruit; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental organization in Wales seeks a technical expert in Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management. The candidate will lead appraisal processes for funding proposals and provide critical technical advice on complex flooding issues. The role offers opportunities to shape national flood risk management projects, collaborate with experts, and contribute to strategic initiatives that impact communities. This position is integral to a £77 million annual program aimed at enhancing community resilience and safeguarding ecosystems.

Benefits

Civil Service Pension Scheme

31 days annual leave

Training and development opportunities

Cycle2Work Scheme

Smart Working flexible working arrangement

Qualifications

• Experience in flood risk management and resilience strategies.
• Ability to provide technical advice on complex issues.
• Strong analytical skills for policy impact assessments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the appraisal of local authority engineering proposals.
• Provide technical advice to Ministers and officials.
• Assist in monitoring and evaluating policy and technical guidance.

Skills

Civil Engineering

Environmental Management

Geographical Analysis

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering, Geography or Environmental Management

Job description

Pan Wales' means that the location in which the vacancy can be based is flexible, subject to the needs of the business. A list of the Welsh Government's offices can be found on www.gov.wales/welsh-government-offices. Please note it may not always be possible to accommodate a preference for a specific office location.

Purpose of post

Join Us in Protecting Communities and Shaping Resilient Futures

As a technical expert within the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Branch, you’ll play a vital role in reducing the flood risk to communities across Wales.

The FCERM Branch sits at the heart of the Coal Tips, Water and Flood Division, driving innovative solutions to manage flood and coastal risks. A cornerstone of our work is delivering the £77 million annual FCERM Programme—a transformative investment that strengthens infrastructure, enhances resilience, and supports sustainable communities.

This is your opportunity to:

• Make a real difference by contributing to projects that protect people and ecosystems.
• Work on high‑profile initiatives with significant national impact.
• Collaborate with experts across engineering, environmental science, and policy.
• Shape the future of flood risk management through technical leadership and innovation.

Key tasks

The post holder will be responsible for:

• Leading on the appraisal of local authority engineering proposals seeking FCERM funding.
• Providing technical advice to Ministers and senior officials concerning complex FCERM issues.
• Assisting with Government Business concerning complex flooding issues or contentious schemes.
• Assisting in the assessment of the impact of policy options (Wales and UK), developing and maintaining impact assessments for the full range of policy impacts.
• Assist in the continual monitoring and evaluation of technical guidance and FCERM policy, developing recommendations for change where necessary.
• Work with programme management colleagues to ensure the annual £77 m FCERM Programme is achievable and affordable.
• Assist on specific elements of larger budgetary considerations in your policy area.
• Assist in the continual monitoring and evaluation of policy and develop recommendations for change.
• Provide advice, where required, to the Flood and Coastal Erosion Committee if required.
• There may be additional tasks associated with a flood event, including emergency briefing, site visits and a need to assess and appraise urgent repairs to FCERM assets.
• Contributing advice and expertise to broader strategy and policy discussions to help achieve Divisional, Directorate and WG-level objectives.

Development opportunities

Flood Branch is a friendly, inclusive, and high‑performing team. The successful candidate will be well supported and given access and time to complete any training that they may need to complete the role effectively.

• Opportunity to work with a range of external stakeholders.
• Contribute to government business and corporate activities, including ministerial advice.
• Internal and external training opportunities.
• Chartership fees.
• Travel pan‑Wales to FCERM scheme locations.

Opportunity to work with wider policy areas across WG including central Finance, Welsh Treasury and National Security and Resilience Division.

Other vacancy related information

A reserve list may be held for this opportunity. Any candidate who is successful in being offered a reserve status will remain on the reserve list for 12 months.

A presentation / test on experience 1 will be required at interview. More information will be provided in the invitations to that stage.

Do you hold a degree in Civil Engineering, Geography, or Environmental Management; or another qualification (such as HNC or HND) with experience working in the FCERM sector (e.g., for an engineering consultancy, Risk Management Authority like a Local Authority or NRW, or another relevant organisation)?

In the event of a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the lead assessment criterion: Technical 1. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

In the event of two or more candidates having the same total score, this list will determine a merit order/which candidate will be appointed.

Weighting the criteria: Technical 1, experience 1 and then behaviour 1 and behaviour 2.

Vetting level

Basic

Number of posts

2

Contact point for further information regarding the post

[e-mail]

Welsh language requirements

3 – Welsh language skills are not essential for this post, they are however desirable and will be considered if two or more candidates receive the same score at the application or interview stage.

Understanding by reading – 0: No skills

Speaking and being understood – 0: No skills

Understanding by listening – 0: No skills

Writing and being understood – 0: No skills

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

The Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see AI candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection Process and Stages

Welsh Government, like all other Government Departments use Success Profiles when we recruit. For each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job. It raises performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

The selection process and stages are:

Number of Stages: 2 stage process

Stage 1: Application Form

Stage 2: Interview

Behaviours

We’ll assess you against these Behaviour criteria during the selection process.

Behaviour 1: Making Effective Decisions

Analyse and use a range of relevant, credible information from internal and external sources to support decisions.

This will be tested at stage 1: Application Form and stage 2: Interview.

Behaviour 2: Communicating and Influencing

Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.

This will be tested at stage 2: Interview.

Behaviour 3: Working Together

Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.

This will be tested at stage 2: Interview.

Experience

We'll assess you against the following Experience criteria during the assessment process.

Experience 1: Can you provide examples of how you have applied your qualifications and/or experience to manage or support the delivery of a project.

This will be tested at stage 1: Application Form and stage 2: Interview.

Technical

We’ll assess the following Technical skills during the selection process.

Technical 1: The role is technical and detailed in nature. The successful candidate must have experience of having worked in a technical environment, with industry professionals and/or demonstrate they are familiar with how major civil engineering projects are delivered in Wales.

Case Study: You are working with a local authority on a flood risk management scheme. It is a high profile tourist destination, with a complex history of coastal flooding. The scheme is likely to be highly contentious with the local community, who are concerned with the potential visual impacts of the scheme. You are aware that the most cost‑effective solution is a near shore breakwater, which will have potential adverse environmental and visual impact.

Question: What type of stakeholder engagement do you think would be necessary for this type of project?

This will be tested at stage 1: Application Form and stage 2: Interview.

Eligibility

You will be asked about your nationality and if you are legally allowed to work in the United Kingdom. This is to find out if you are eligible to apply for this vacancy. This is a requirement for working within the Civil Service. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

If you do not meet the eligibility criteria your application will not progress. If it becomes clear at a later stage in the process that you are not eligible to apply, your application may be withdrawn, or the offer retracted.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Disability Confident Scheme

The Welsh Government is a Disability Confident Leader. We guarantee to interview any candidate with an impairment, health condition, who is neurodivergent or who uses British Sign Language if they meet the minimum criteria for the post.

Social Model of Disability

Welsh Government has adopted the social model of disability, which recognises that barriers in society act to disable people who have impairments, or health conditions, who are neurodivergent or who use British Sign Language.

We are committed to removing barriers in the recruitment process so that all (or potential new) staff can perform at their best.

Recruitment adjustments can be made at any part of the recruitment process for candidates with an impairment or health condition, who are neurodivergent or who use British Sign Language.

Please get in touch with [e-mail] to discuss adjustments for any part of the process.

Great Place to Work for Veterans

The Welsh Government operates the Great Place to Work for Veterans Initiative. We guarantee to interview any eligible former members of the armed forces if they meet the minimum criteria for the post.

Redeployment Interview Scheme

We value our staff and want to make every effort to retain them if we can. Under this scheme, Civil Service employers can offer an interview to a fair and proportionate number of Civil Servants who are at risk of redundancy and who meet the minimum job requirements.

For example, you may be at risk if your work area has launched a voluntary or compulsory redundancy scheme that you’re eligible for, or you are aware that your employer has begun consultation on how to reduce staff in your immediate team or work area.

To be considered for an interview, you must:

• have a good reason to believe that you are likely to be made redundant in the near future
• have demonstrated in your application and testing stages that you meet the minimum job criteria detailed in the person specification
• be applying for a job at the same grade as, or lower than, your current job
• be an existing civil servant

Social Partnership

In Welsh Government, the relationship between the employer and trade unions is based on social partnership. We believe our goals can best be achieved by management and trade unions working together.

Our 3 recognised trade unions are:

• PCS
• Prospect
• FDA

This relationship is underpinned by a partnership agreement. This sets out how our unions work with Welsh Government on issues such as:

• Pay
• Terms and conditions
• HR Strategy, policies and procedures
• Health, safety and well‑being
• Organisational change

Our Welsh Government trade union colleagues work together to give their members a real say in the workplace. They make sure that the interests of their members are promoted and protected. They also help reduce inequalities and improve terms and conditions.

The Welsh Government has an excellent track record of working in partnership with its trade unions. We support you to join a recognised trade union, to ensure your voice is heard in the workplace. We encourage you to learn more about our trade unions, partnership working and to get involved in their work.

Benefits

All Welsh Government staff are members of the Civil Service, and as a result are eligible for:

• Civil Service Pension Scheme
• 31 days annual leave (pro‑rated for part time)
• training and development opportunities
• Cycle2Work Scheme
• Smart Working flexible working arrangement
• Green Car Scheme (subject to availability)

If you are an active Civil Service Pension member you can continue your membership throughout your employment with us.

Recruitment principles and complaints

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition. Please see Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles on the Commission's website.

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and wish to make a complaint please email [e-mail]. Please ensure that you refer to the vacancy reference number.

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Welsh Government, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: [e-mail].

How to Apply

All applications for this vacancy must be made using our online application system.

Unless stated otherwise in the 'Other vacancy-related information for advert', the Welsh Government cannot offer Visa sponsorship. Welsh Government holds a Visa sponsorship licence, but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.

Applications are welcomed from people with a diverse range of lived and professional experiences. We are actively committed to becoming an increasingly diverse organisation which represents the diverse communities we serve. There are a number of Diversity networks that staff can participate in, which include the Disability Awareness and Support Staff Network; Minority Ethnic Staff Network; Mind Matters (Mental health and well‑being); PRISM (LGBTI+), Women Together and the Neurodivergence Network.

If you have an impairment which prevents you from applying online, please email our recruitment team. You can:

• request an application pack in an alternative format
• request a recruitment adjustment to help you submit your application

Use the 'Apply' button to submit your application. You will be asked to register if you don't have an account or sign in if you do. Registration takes a few minutes and you will need an email address.

You should check your Application Centre regularly for updates to your application. Please also check your spam/junk folder in case any communication regarding your application and/or assessment details finds its way there.

Once you've registered for an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the online application form. You must complete this and submit it before the deadline on the closing date. We will not consider an incomplete application form.

If you would like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the Change Language link on this page. We welcome applications in Welsh, and applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than applications submitted in English.

Please see candidate guidance for more information on the recruitment process.

For information on Civil Service Success Profiles please click here.

For TS to G6 recruitment schemes: When presenting your evidence, you may find it useful to consider the expectations of the grade as set out in the Grade Description as well as the main responsibilities that are essential for the role.