Peatland Data Support Team Leader

Team / Directorate: National Peatland Action Programme / Operations

Starting salary: £45,367 rising to £50,877 per annum through annual increments being paid each year (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 2 June 2025

Post number: 203809

The role

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced professional to lead the team responsible for undertaking strategic and complex programmes of data analysis, data validation, and evidence synthesis, using GIS and other platforms, to inform and implement Natural Resources Wales' (NRW) National Peatland Action Programme (NPAP). 

This role will be pivotal in providing quality-assured analytical outputs for inclusion in national reports and indicators, ensuring the delivery of robust evidence to support the management and restoration of peatlands across Wales.

As the Team Leader, you will be accountable for ensuring that your team’s contributions directly support the achievement of the programme's objectives and targets. You will oversee the timely delivery of high-quality outputs, ensuring that these meet the established standards and deadlines. Additionally, you will ensure strict adherence to NRW’s governance frameworks, including procurement processes, operational practices, and health and safety standards, alongside all relevant NPAP programme requirements.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the ongoing success of the NPAP and to play a significant role in advancing the management of Wales' peatlands through evidence-based decision-making.

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 Mannon Lewis Mannon.Lewis@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk 

Interviews will take place through Microsoft Teams

Vetting checks may be required depending on the role. Appointments are normally made within 4 to 6 weeks of the closing date. 

 

What you will do

• You will work with technical experts across the organisation and with a range of stakeholders and partner organisations involved in monitoring and analytical work.  
• Lead a team carrying out complex data analysis, evidence synthesis, and interpretation using GIS and other platforms to inform and influence a strategic direction for monitoring peatland restoration programmes in Wales, and to provide quality-assured outputs for inclusion in national environmental reports and indicators.
• Lead and develop staff to ensure team contributions to delivery of the NRW Service Plan and NPAP, as well as wider corporate and departmental priorities and objectives. 
• Lead on the commissioning and management of complex technical projects across a broad range of environmental themes relevant to the sustainable management of peatlands, working with specialists and technical staff from across the organisation, and with external contractors and partners.
• Interact with a range of government, agency and partner bodies working on analytical projects relating to NPAP delivery, monitoring and reporting at Wales and UK levels.
• Be accountable for the well-being, development and performance of a geographically dispersed team and adherence to NRW’s policies and procedures. Includes oversight of Health & Safety in high-risk environments.
• Inform the development of NRW’s Service Plan and NPAP with respect to data management, analysis and operational delivery, as well as other relevant plans and strategies internally and externally.
• Maintain and develop technical knowledge in data management, GIS and earth observation techniques and reporting in relation to peatland restoration (including technological advances in the fields of remote sensing) in order to provide technical oversight for the work of the team, and provide technical advice (written, spoken and presentations) internally to colleagues and senior management on the remit of the team.
• Work collaboratively across the NPAP Service and with wider departments and Directorates. 
• Ensure the team maintains appropriate skills and specialisms across its members.
• Ensure that you have at least one member of the team who is a Welsh speaker to Level 4 or higher.
• Ensure the team contributes to the development of new and innovative monitoring and analytical methods to drive forward efficiency and improvements to NRW’s monitoring and environmental reporting.
• Directly line manage 6 staff. There may be some requirement to matrix manage other staff in other NPAP teams working with data.
• 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 and that of your staff 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.

1. You will have good knowledge and experience in one or more areas of data analysis, evidence synthesis, Earth observation and data management, and a sound understanding of statistical methods and use of statistical and spatial analysis applications (including R and ESRI).
2. You will have a recognised qualification, degree or equivalent experience.
3. You will have previous experience of leading and managing technical projects.
4. Experience of managing a geographically dispersed team.
5. Coaching, mentoring and staff development skills.
6. Strong organisational, time management and interpersonal skills.
7. Ability to communicate effectively, explaining issues and gaining support by influencing, particularly with key stakeholders, and at senior level.
8. Experience of managing budgets.
9. Project management skills.
10. You will have well-developed problem-solving skills, with the ability to extract key information and present this in a clear and concise manner to a range of audiences and in both written and oral forms.

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

If you think you have what it takes to do this role, but don’t necessarily meet every single point on the job description, please still get in touch and we will be happy to discuss the role with you in more detail.

We’re passionate about creating a diverse workforce and positively encourage applications from under-represented communities. We embrace equality of opportunity irrespective of disability, neurodivergence, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, gender expression and gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, culture, or religion.   We put the principles of human rights, equality, fairness, dignity and respect at the heart of our values.

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. 

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