The role
Water is one of Wales' most valuable natural resources, and the decisions made today will shape its future for generations. In this influential role, you will provide expert technical advice and guidance on water planning, helping to deliver long-term, sustainable management of the water environment.
As part of our Integrated Water Planning Team, you will play a key role in shaping national water policy, planning and investment decisions. Your work will inform major frameworks, including water company business plans, long-term delivery strategies and environmental improvement programmes, ensuring they support wider environmental priorities and sustainable outcomes.
You will translate Welsh and UK Government policy, particularly the Welsh Government Water Strategy, into practical approaches that drive real-world results. Through technical assessments, evidence-based advice and strategic input, you will help develop policies, guidance and plans that influence how water is managed across Wales.
Working closely with colleagues across strategy, evidence and operational teams, you will also collaborate with government, regulators and representatives from across the water sector. You will build strong partnerships, contribute to complex discussions and help address some of Wales' most significant environmental challenges.
Success in this role means providing trusted technical expertise that shapes national planning and investment decisions, supports resilient ecosystems and contributes to the long-term protection of Wales' water resources. If you are looking for an opportunity to influence policy, work on nationally significant issues and make a tangible environmental impact, we'd love to hear from you.
This post is fixed term until 03/12/2027 with the possibility of extension or permanency.
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 Ruth Johnston at ruth.johnston@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk
Interviews will take place through Microsoft Teams
About us
The Strategy, Policy & Evidence Directorate provides the leadership, expertise and evidence that help shape the future of Wales' natural environment. We develop the policies, strategies, guidance and tools that enable sustainable environmental management and support informed decision-making across Natural Resources Wales and beyond.
You will join the Integrated Water Planning Team within the Sustainable Water and Nature Group, a multidisciplinary team that brings together expertise in water quality, water resources, freshwater ecosystems and environmental planning.
Our team takes a holistic approach to water management, considering the full range of pressures affecting the water environment and the ecosystems that depend on it. We support the development of national strategies, long-term planning frameworks and investment programmes that help create a more resilient and sustainable future for Wales.
By joining us, you'll work alongside passionate experts, contribute to nationally significant work and play a direct role in protecting and improving Wales' natural resources for future generations.
What you will do
- Prepare technical assessments, drawing on a range of complex information and data sources.
- Manage the preparation of material to inform the development of NRW, WG and other Partners policy, statutory advice and guidance documents; Manage the development of procedures, tools and guidance and lead the delivery of new ways of working.
- Liaise with external stakeholders such as Welsh Government, sector representatives and partners to ensure the timely and effective delivery of project, policy or strategy obligations.
- Advise on evidence needs and opportunities and project manage agreed evidence projects, in line with the agreed evidence programme.
- Support engagement with sectors, partners, WG, Environment Agency, SEPA and NIEA, and other Environment bodies in the UK; and be the lead point of contact for customer queries.
- Maintain 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.
- Collaborate with the Team Leader to develop and deliver an agreed Personal Development Plan.
- 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 WFD; Welsh, UK Government policy drivers in WFD; and the issues and opportunities in Wales.
- Experience of: technical analysis and interpretation of a range of environmental information and data and analysing large data sets.
- Working with/in water companies, local authorities, eNGOs, National Parks.
- Working in a programme and project management environment with Project Management experience and/or qualifications.
- You will be a member of a relevant professional institution such as CIWEM and/ or working towards membership.
- 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
Welsh language levels
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.
Additional Information
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.
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.
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 equal 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.
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 want to work full-time, part-time, or job share.
Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy before the advertised closing date if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the closing date to apply.