The role
Protecting and enhancing the water quality at Wales’ designated Bathing Water sites is a national priority — vital for public health, environmental sustainability, and the enjoyment of our natural spaces. Backed by additional Welsh Government funding, this role will play a central part in strengthening Natural Resources Wales’ (NRW) capacity to implement the Bathing Water Regulations and shape the future of bathing water management across the country.
As the strategic lead, you will:
- Design and deliver a long-term, prioritised programme of work — including a comprehensive review of current guidance and identification of key opportunities for improvement.
- Establish and lead a multi-agency working group, bringing together Welsh Government and other key partners to guide and oversee progress.
- Monitor and respond to emerging issues, maintaining a dynamic priority list and coordinating targeted actions to address them.
- Enhance monitoring systems and prepare for future regulatory changes, ensuring Wales remains resilient and compliant with evolving water quality standards.
This is a unique opportunity to drive meaningful change, influence national policy, and safeguard the quality of Wales’ bathing waters for generations to come.
This is a fixed term role until 31 March 2027.
As an organisation we support flexible working. You will be contracted to an NRW office within the place base / location above 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 Geraint Weber at Geraint.Weber@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk
Interviews will take place 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
This role sits within the Water Quality Policy team, part of the wider Sustainable Water & Nature Group, and reports directly to the Water Quality Policy Team Leader.
What you will do
- Lead and project manage specific and complex issues that require development of NRW policies, strategies, plans, programmes including support on casework that is novel, contentious or of high public interest.
- Provide statutory advice to WG and other bodies in Wales and the UK as appropriate, and in-turn review and advise on the produced policy, plans and strategies.
- Retain ownership and oversight of Water Quality policy area to ensure integrity of NRW approaches with Welsh Government, Central Government and EU Policy intent.
- Advise on evidence needs and opportunities and project manage agreed evidence projects, in line with the agreed evidence programme.
- Maintain a detailed working knowledge of the assigned sector(s) identifying the implications of legislative, technology and market changes for Natural Resources Wales and the sector(s).
- Contribute to task and finish groups, commissioned through the Business Boards, to prepare defined products as required.
- Steer the overview and ownership of engagement with Welsh Government on the specific policy areas related to Water Quality.
- 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.
- Knowledge of Welsh, UK and EU legislation related to water quality and environmental regulation; Welsh & UK Governments & EU policy drivers in water quality as set out in the WG Water Strategy; and the issues and opportunities in Wales.
- Knowledge and practical understanding of the range of partners and stakeholders directly involved with delivering water quality policy and objectives as well as working with those benefiting from interventions across Wales.
- In-depth understanding of the water quality portfolio of legislation and policy and the complex range of drivers and barriers to delivery.
- Working in a programme and project management environment with Project Management experience and/or qualifications.
- You will be a member of CIWEM or another relevant professional institution and/or working towards membership.
- Representing the organisation in high profile and contentious issues in the public arena.
- Share your knowledge and expertise to help solve problems, supporting all Heads of Business in EPP as required
Welsh Language level requirements
- Essential: Level 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:
- 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.
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.
