Team Leader, Water and Nature Projects

Team / Directorate: Water and Nature Projects / Evidence, Policy & Permitting

Starting salary:  £52,268 rising to £57,726 per annum through annual increments being paid each year (pro rata for part time applicants)

Contract type: Fixed Term appointment until 31/03/2026 There may be the potential for this appointment to be extended or become a permanent position at a later date, however this cannot be guaranteed.

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: 24 & 25 July 2025

Post number: 203962

The role

To plan and manage strategic Water and Nature Projects and manage the Water and Nature Projects Team in line with NRW's values. You will lead on a broad range of strategic and environmental issues relating to water and nature as well as project-managing the individual strategic water and nature projects.  You will provide expert advice and knowledge to the Welsh and UK Governments to shape and inform legislative change, government policy and stakeholder agendas under your assigned area of work. You will translate legislation, Welsh Government policy and NRW organisational strategy into practical approaches for frontline delivery in a regulatory/operational environment. You will join our Sustainable Water and Nature Group and work with colleagues across NRW.

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.

There may be the potential for this appointment to be extended or become a permanent position at a later date, however this cannot be guaranteed.

To make an informal enquiry about this role, please contract Rhian Thomas at rh.thomas@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

The role will be within the Sustainable Land and Nature Group in the Natural Resources Management Policy Department. The post will report to the Sustainable Water and Nature Manager.

What you will do

• Lead the project management of strategic water and nature projects that form part of the wider NRW Water and Nature Programme, including identifying and managing specific and complex issues, such as Guidance preparation, that require development of policies, strategies, plans, programmes for NRW and relevant sectors/partners
• Lead a team of specialist advisors and, as well as being an effective project and programme manager. You will lead and project manage specific and complex issues that require development and implementation of NRW policies, strategies, plans, programmes.
• Retain ownership and oversight of the water and nature policy area to ensure integrity of NRW approaches with Welsh Government, Central Government and EU Policy intent.
• Lead and project manage specific and complex issues that require development of NRW policies, strategies, plans, programmes.
• 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.
• Commission evidence & project manage evidence projects, in line with the agreed evidence programme.
• 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 and nature.
• Collaborate with the Manager 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 sustainable water and nature planning and management. Welsh and UK Government policies and strategies and delivery mechanisms and the issues and opportunities in Wales.
2. Knowledge and practical understanding of how to overcome the complex priorities, drivers and barriers faced by NRW, partners and stakeholders involved in delivering sustainable water and nature outcomes in Wales. 
3. Experience of: Working at a national, UK and international level managing a portfolio of work projects and programmes related to sustainable water and nature.
4. In-depth understanding of the governance, policy and legislative frameworks relating to designated landscapes and the complex range of drivers and barriers to delivery.
5. Working in a programme and project management environment with Programme and Project Management experience and/or qualifications. 
6. You will preferably be a member of an environmental professional body and/or managerial institution and/or working towards membership.
7. Representing the organisation in high profile and contentious issues in the public arena.
8. 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. 

Apply for this role

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