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Protected Sites Programme Advisor- Specialist

Closing date: 19 February 2023 | Salary: £37,308 - £40,806 (Grade 6) | Location: Flexible

Contract type: Fixed Term appointment until 31 March 2024

Work pattern: Full time, 37 hours per week.

Post number: 203480

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

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Biodiversity Policy and Strategy Team to use your skills and knowledge to support the development and delivery of strategies, guidance, plans and programmes for Protected Sites in Wales, principally Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas and Ramsar sites. We are currently working at the forefront of protecting and restoring habitats and wildlife in response to the joint Nature and Climate Emergencies. This post will work alongside our existing team and wider biodiversity specialists to help address these twin crises focussing strategic direction and policy for the effective management of Wales’s protected sites.

Responsibilities

Your responsibilities include:

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 gaps and project manage agreed evidence projects, in line with the agreed evidence programme.
Support engagement with sectors, partners, WG, Environmental NGO's and other Environment bodies in the UK; and be the lead point of contact for customer queries.
Maintain knowledge of the assigned Biodiversity and Ecosystems agendas identifying the implications of legislative, technology and market changes for Natural Resources Wales and the affected sectors.
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 Sgwrs priorities and annual work plan.

Qualifications, experience and knowledge

Knowledge and experience of the following:
Knowledge of: Welsh, UK legislation and international conventions and legislation related to protected sites. Welsh & UK Governments’ & global policy drivers in biodiversity and protected sites; and the issues and opportunities in Wales.
Experience of technical analysis, interpretation of a range of complex environmental information and data sources, analysing large data sets.
Knowledge and practical understanding of the range of partners and stakeholders involved in protected sites in Wales.
Working with Welsh Government, across the Biodiversity and Ecosystems sectors and other land management and environment organisations.
Working in a programme and project management environment with Project Management experience and qualifications.
You will be a member of a relevant professional institution and/or working towards membership.

Welsh language requirements

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

Desirable Level 4 – Fluent in spoken Welsh

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

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.
Decision Making and Autonomy Requirements	Ability to decide how to achieve results applying some degree of judgment or creativity, whilst responding to conflicting demands, by altering priorities. Able to make independent decisions on a broad range to matters, considering the options available and potential implications for the business. Decisions will require input from line management and peers and an understanding of NRW policy, the impact of which is likely to be wider than the immediate function or department and medium term in nature. Has an appreciation of the consequences of making wrong decisions and the adverse effect they may have on the organisation in relation to external stakeholders, such as partner organisations, lenders, service users etc. Able to contribute to the setting of strategic direction for themselves, their area and others. Ability to develop organisation strategy and policies with some autonomy in the implementation of organisational policy. Can adapt and respond to decisions made which lead to changes in established procedure/practice for dealing with issues within the post holder’s area of work, which may not be immediately clear or apparent. Some decisions may need to be taken without reference to others.
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.
Responsibility for Resources	Post holders will have a delegated budget and/or will have responsibility for checking the validity of forms and documents as part of a process and/or the procurement of goods and services. The level of financial responsibility, is likely to be a delegated part of a much larger budget, managed by a senior member of staff.

Benefits of Working for Us

This role will offer a range of benefits, including:

Agile and Flexible Working (role dependent)
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 19 February 2023

Interviews will take place at a date to be confirmed through Microsoft Teams

If you have any queries about the role, please contact Neil Parker at Neil.Parker@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk

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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