The role
This is a 3-month opportunity for a registered PhD student to help us review the nature and extent of monitoring on Designated Landscapes (National Parks and National Landscapes) in Wales.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has a remit to monitor and report on the condition of key features of protected sites (SSSI, SAC, SPAs) in Wales, as part of our delivery of the 30 by 30 target (see WG 30 by 30 framework).
The Designated Landscapes also require monitoring evidence to produce State of the Park/ National Landscape reports and develop 5-year Management Plans.
To deliver 30% of Wales under effective management for biodiversity we need to understand the condition of key features on our protected sites. NRW intends to take a mixed, hybrid delivery approach to collecting this evidence, working with partners, such as national parks, to deliver the required evidence.
To start this process NRW first needs to understand the nature, scale and scope of monitoring currently taking place within Designated Landscapes. This will then enable discussions over co-ordinated monitoring delivery and avoid inefficiencies in evidence collection.
The placement provides an opportunity to gain insight into the functioning of both Natural Resources Wales and National Parks/National Landscapes, exploring their evidence-based decision making within the Welsh environment context. The researcher will join a national NRW team covering terrestrial, freshwater and marine monitoring. We develop plans and strategies for NRWs monitoring work to ensure that we make effective use of our monitoring resources to provide the evidence needed to address the nature, climate and pollution emergencies.
The researcher will be expected to work independently within parameters and guidelines provided by Natural Resources Wales. Working closely with a wide range of colleagues and Designated Landscape partners, the successful candidate will build valuable working relationships, broaden their knowledge of this sector, and enhance their existing transferable skills.
This is a fantastic opportunity to understand how monitoring and evidence is designed and used to inform decisions. With support from their NRW supervisor, the researcher will be expected to take responsibility for managing and delivery of work commitments during the placement period.
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 Dylan Lloyd at Dylan.lloyd@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.
What you will do
This project will draw together information from designated landscapes in Wales (3 National Parks & 5 National Landscapes[1]). The researcher will work with contacts within the National Park Authorities and AONB/ National Landscapes teams to collate information on the nature, scope and frequency of their monitoring and how this relates to protected sites (especially SSSIs) within the Designated Landscape. They will undertake further analysis for activities on SSSIs to determine the likelihood of:
- The evidence collected being used in determining the condition of key features on the sites and
- How the evidence may further the monitoring of any other notified features on the sites.
You will:
- Work across Welsh National Parks to identify and record relevant information to make the assessment. You will work closely with NRW staff and the Welsh National Parks Nature Recovery 30x30 Advisor to engage with key monitoring staff across 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.
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.
- A sound understanding of terrestrial conservation management in the UK
- A sound understanding of scientific method
- Good organisational skills and the ability to manage and deliver work commitments and projects.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) can only accept applications to the PhD student placement programme from registered students who are within their funded period. Before applying, all applicants must:
- seek approval from their academic supervisor;
- confirm the method of payment with their finance department;
- confirm they can take a study break for the duration of the placement.
Welsh Language Level requirements:
- Essential: A1 – Entry level
Welsh language levels
Please note if you do not meet the level 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.
Funding
The placement will be funded by NRW and will match the current UKRI PhD stipend rate. The payment process aims to compliment PhD student university stipend payment structures, i.e. NRW pay the university via a Purchase Order on completion of the placement and the funds are passed-on to the student’s account from the university. To avoid delays to students receiving payments, it is preferable that the student’s PhD stipend is not paused during the placement and that, instead, it continues and that NRW reimburse the university for the time the student is not undertaking research. Please note: we do not pay students directly. Students with Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) funding must confirm this method of payment is accepted before applying.
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.
You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally. Applications are welcome from individuals who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time.