Climate Risk and Adaptation Specialist Advisor

Closing date: 27 February 2023 | Salary: £37,308 - £40,806 (Grade 6) | Location: Flexible

Contract type: Permanent

Work pattern: Full time, 37 hours per week

Post number: 202940

As an organisation we support flexible working. This role allows hybrid working (a mix of home and office working) and a working pattern suitable for you can be discussed on appointment if you are successful.

You will be contracted to the nearest NRW office to your home, of which you will be required to attend for regular meetings, training and for one-to-one meetings with your manager. These will be planned in advance.

Job description

To lead on the provision of Climate Risk and Adaptation technical support and advice in relation to delivery of NRW’s response in relation to the Wales Adaptation Plan.  This technical/specialist advice will inform the development of NRW policy, programmes, plans, strategies and guidance.  You will work with colleagues from other teams in Evidence, Policy & Permitting (EPP) and Operations, officials from Welsh Government (WG) and sector representatives.

Responsibilities

Your responsibilities include:

  • Preparing technical assessments, drawing on a range of complex information and data sources.
  • Managing 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.
  • Liaising 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 gaps and project manage agreed evidence projects, in line with the agreed evidence programme.
  • Maintaining knowledge of Climate Risk and Adaptation identifying the implications of legislative, technology and market changes for Natural Resources Wales.
  • Contributing to task and finish groups, commissioned through the Business Boards, to prepare defined products as required.
  • Collaborating with the Team Leader to develop and deliver an agreed Personal Development Plan.

Qualifications, experience and knowledge

Knowledge and experience of the following:

  1. Knowledge of: Welsh, UK and EU legislation related to climate change, climate risk and adaptation; Welsh, UK Government policy drivers in Planning, Landscape, Energy, and Decarbonisation as set out in EU, UK and WG Policy and legislative/Directive drivers; and the issues and opportunities in Wales.
  2. Experience of: technical analysis and interpretation of a range of complex environmental information and data sources; analysing large data sets.
  3. Working with/in WG, across the climate risk and adaptation agenda and other governmental, land management, industrial and environment organisations.
  4. Working knowledge of climate change science and policy. (Desirable)
  5. Working in a programme and project management environment with Project Management experience and/or qualifications.
  6. You will be a member of a relevant professional institution and/or working towards membership.
  7. Share your knowledge and expertise to help solve problems, supporting all Heads of Business in EPP as required.

Welsh language requirements

Essential: Level 1 – Able to pronounce Welsh and use basic phrases

Please note if you do not meet the level 1 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.

Competencies

Please note - Applications to this role will be assessed based on the following competencies, both at shortlisting and interview. Please give examples of how you demonstrate these competencies when completing your application form.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

  • Able to undertake practical/technical tasks or work, requiring specialist knowledge/expertise. 
  • Able to provide objective advice to others on related issues, based on their knowledge and experience and keeps up to date with changes within their specialist field.
  • Demonstrates relevant substantial experience gained from working in number of different organisations, or roles/functions within a single organisation.
  • Ability to lead and project manage specific areas of work, which may include the implementation of plans.
  • Has mentoring skills and the ability to share skills and knowledge with others within the function and/or across the organisation.
  • Possibly an expert in a range of subjects relating to their profession. 

Evaluation of Information

  • Ability to analyse and interpret a range of complex information of a technical nature, relating to a specific area of specialism, contributing to the development of strategy and policies.
  • Able to extract key points and communicate them to individuals at all levels.
  • Able to interpret relevant delivery plans and understand their context in the wider national and NRW strategy and policies.

Impact

  • Demonstrates an appreciation of how their decisions and actions will influence others both internally and externally.
  • Must have an awareness of the consequences of their decision making, which will have a moderate level of impact and influence and be medium term in nature.

Communication and Relationships with Others

  • Ability to interact and link with others across the business, engaging the organisation in delivering polices and work plans in the most efficient way.
  • Communications will be both with internal colleagues and external stakeholders which may include specialist input and influence in relation to policy and strategy or implementation.
  • Some interactions may be emotionally challenging where individuals are angry or upset, requiring the need for tact, patience and the ability to remain calm to try and resolve the issue.
  • The work will involve written and verbal communications and/or leading projects, requiring good communication and persuasive skills.
  • Ability to facilitate and/or present at internal or external meetings, giving advice and input as required. 
  • Able to foster and maintain good relationships and networks.
  • Ability to produce documents, reports, accounts, contracts, etc., with some complexity, containing elements of advice, guidance or opinion which the recipient will act upon or use, and which would have detrimental consequences if incorrect or poorly drafted.
  • Ability to source data and content from multiple locations, entailing some external research and professional judgment in how such research should be interpreted.
  • The impact of such documentation is likely to be generally medium term in nature.

Benefits of working for us

This role will offer a range of benefits, including:

  • Agile and flexible working 
  • Civil Service Pension Scheme offering employer contributions of 26.6% to 30.3%
  • 28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days
  • Generous leave entitlements for all your life needs
  • Health and wellbeing benefits and support
  • Weekly well-being hour to use at your choice

See full details for all the employee benefits you will receive.

How to apply

Please send a completed Application form to Applications@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk using the post number as the email reference

Before completing your application, please read our Guidance on completing a job application form

Application closing date 27 February 2023

Interviews will take place on 14 March 2023 through Microsoft Teams.

If you have any queries about the role, please contact Gabrielle Torkington at gabrielle.torkington@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk or 07815977530.

Natural Resources Wales embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunity. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition.

We welcome and encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented, including women, black and ethnic minority groups and people with a disability. We have a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

We put the principles of human rights, equality, fairness, dignity and respect at the heart of our values.

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