Lead Water Resources Specialist Advisor

Team / Directorate: Water Resources Regulatory Approaches Team / Evidence, Policy and Permitting

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: Fixed Term Appointment until 31 March 2028

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: To be confirmed

Post number: 203934

The role

This Water Resources Lead Specialist Advisor role sits within NRW’s Water Resources Regulatory Approaches Team in Evidence, Policy and Permitting.

In this role you will provide expert advice on matters relating to our current or future charging schemes for water resources. Provide the technical expert lead for delivering the strategic review of charges (annual subsistence) for water resources.

Work with others to manage the preparation of relevant water resources NRW policy, charging schemes, programmes, plans, strategies and guidance. This will translate Welsh and UK Government policy into practical approaches to the point of delivery. 

Be instrumental in ensuring that we are raising the appropriate level of income from water resources charges to deliver sustainable management of water resources and expected service standards.

Ensure that our water resources charging schemes comply with relevant government policy, accountancy standards and internal governance, policy and procedures.

Work with the Regulatory Business Management Team, Operations and EPP and officials from WG and sector representatives.

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 Anthony Wilkes anthony.wilkes@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk and Caroline Harris caroline.harris@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk

Interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams.

Successful external applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) check. We aim to make offers of appointment within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date.

About us

This Water Resources Lead Specialist Advisor role sits within NRW’s Water Resources Regulatory Approaches Team in Evidence, Policy and Permitting.

 

What you will do

The post holder will:

• 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 Resources 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 Resources.
• 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.

1. Knowledge of: Welsh, UK and EU legislation related to Water Resources; Welsh, UK Government policy drivers in Water Resources in the WG Water Strategy; and the issues and opportunities in Wales.
2. Knowledge and practical understanding of the range of partners and stakeholders involved with water resources use and management in Wales.
3. Experience of or an in-depth understanding of the Water Resources discipline/ topic and the complex range of drivers and barriers to delivery.
4. Working in a programme and project management environment with Project Management experience and/or qualifications.
5. You will be a member of CIWEM or other relevant professional institution and/or working towards membership.
6. Experience of representing the organisation in high profile and contentious issues in the public arena.
7. Knowledge sharing and problem solving skills to support Heads of Business

Welsh language level requirements

• Essential: :  Level A1 – able to pronounce Welsh and use basic phrases

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. 

Apply for this role

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