Overview

Are you an experienced, marine specialist ready to champion the environment in Wales? Do you know your sponges from your bryozoans? Then we’ve got the job for you!

As one of NRW’s benthic ecology specialist advisors, you’ll be responsible for providing expert advice on potential impacts and management of the marine environment.

You will contribute to NRW’s organisation-wide Offshore Renewable Energy Programme, making a difference to providing clean energy for Wales.

We are looking for an experienced, enthusiastic and energetic professional to be part of a Wales wide team of marine experts.

If this sounds like you – apply now!

Job Title Specialist Advisor: Benthic Ecology
Post number 202443
Grade 6 – £34,427 rising to £37,656 over three years
Location Flexible
Directorate Evidence, Policy & Permitting
Team Marine and Coastal Ecosystems
Reports to Marine and Coastal Ecosystems Team Leader
Direct reports none
Welsh language requirements Essential level 1, able to pronounce Welsh and use basic phrases

Please note: If you do not meet the Welsh Language Requirements specified 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.
Contract type  FTA for 3 years to March 2023
Work pattern 37 hours

Applying for this post:

The following categories will be used to assess the quality of applications both at sift and interview. Please read the whole of the Role Description to ascertain at what level this information needs to be presented.

·         Managing Resources (non-financial and/or financial)

·         Forward Thinking

·         Analysing and Judgement

·         Collaborating with others

·         Advising and Influencing

·         Customer Focus

·         Qualifications and Skills

Role description

Job Purpose: To lead on the provision of marine benthic ecology technical and specialist advice relating to marine developments, including offshore renewable energy.  This advice will shape and inform Government and NRW decisions, programmes, plans, guidance and strategies.  You will work with colleagues from other teams in NRW, officials from Welsh Government and sector representatives.
Key Job Accountabilities: The post holder will:

Prepare technical assessments, drawing on a range of complex information and data in relation to marine benthic ecology.

Provide specialist technical advice internally to directly inform NRW’s external casework responses, and also internal casework determination where NRW is the regulator, (for example, marine licenses). Internal advice will also directly inform NRW’s marine and coastal management functions.

Provide specialist technical advice externally to (a) developers and regulators at a local, regional and national level, (b) regional and national stakeholder fora and (c) expert witness role at inquiries as appropriate.

Lead development of relevant casework guidance.

Develop procedures, tools and guidance and lead the delivery of new ways of working. Inform the development of NRW, Welsh Government and other Partners policy, statutory advice and guidance documents.

Liaise with external stakeholders such as sector representatives, Welsh Government, partners, JNCC and other Environment Bodies in the UK 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.

Contribute to task and finish groups, commissioned through the Business Boards, to prepare defined products as required;.
Key Job Qualifications or Knowledge: Knowledge of: Welsh, UK and EU legislation related to marine and coastal ecosystems and assigned sector(s); Welsh, UK Government policy drivers in marine and coastal ecosystems and assigned sector(s) and the issues and opportunities in Wales.

Substantial experience in provision of specialist technical marine advice, at a regional or all-Wales level, in marine benthic ecology.

Experience of:  technical analysis and interpreting a range of environmental information and data; analysing large data sets.

Specialist technical knowledge related to marine benthic ecology.

Working with/in Welsh Government, statutory nature conservation bodies, eNGOs, public bodies and marine sector representative bodies.

Good project management, work planning and prioritisation skills.

What you will do

You will provide specialist advice and input to your team and function that supports the development and implementation of strategy and plans.

You will undertake practical and technical tasks requiring specialist knowledge and expertise on a range of matters relating to your profession.

You will analyse and interpret a range of complex information relevant to your specialist area and communicate this to others, contributing to the development of strategy and policy.

You will be responsible for leading and managing specific areas of work which may include the implementation of plans.

You will undertake research as required and produce documents that provide advice, guidance or opinion which others will use and act upon.

You will be involved in the development of organisational strategy and policy and will have some autonomy in relation to implementation of organisational policy.

You will influence the work of others through your actions and decision making, the impact of which will be both internal and external.

You will be responsible for a budget, which will be a delegated part of a larger budget managed by a more senior employee.

You will review the validity of documentation relating to the procurement of good and services.

Who you will be working with

You will collaborate with people across the organisation engaging with key stakeholders for the efficient delivery of policy and work plans.

You will be build relationships with both internal and external stakeholders and provide specialist input and influence on the implementation of policy and strategy.

You will facilitate and deliver presentations for internal and external meetings, providing advice, as required.

You will work with other specialist/technical staff and will lead them through specialist/ technical programmes of work, through a matrix management approach.

You may work in situations where individuals become angry and upset and which are challenging emotionally, requiring you to stay calm under pressure when resolving the issues presented.

You will mentor less experienced colleagues.

Where you will be working

Your role will be primarily office based but may entail travel between different NRW locations, as well as working at partner organisations and other premises.

What knowledge and skills you need

You will have a recognised qualification, degree or equivalent experience.

You will have substantial experience working in the field relevant to your role with experience across a range of roles or in different roles within an organisation.

You will have specialist/technical knowledge in a range of subjects within your field.

You will have proven involvement of working in a variety of functions and remain up to date with developments in your technical or specialist field.

You will have good inter-personal skills and able to develop and maintain good relationships and networks.

You will have analytical skills enabling you to analyse and interpret a range of complex information in relation to your specific area of specialism.

You will have the skills to manage your workload and prioritise tasks in relation to conflicting objectives and targets.

What other information is relevant to your job

You will realise your contribution by applying the principles of Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (SMNR) to your work; in how you think, plan and deliver activities.

You will be expected to work with teams and individuals from across NRW, sharing your expertise and insight to solve complex problems. You will support collaborative working with partners and sector organisations, focussing on shared priorities.

You are responsible for complying with the policies, procedures and processes that relate to your role.

You are responsible for ensuring that all financial transactions undertaken by yourself represent value for money and meet the requirements of the organisation.

NRW is a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act (2004), and this means we have a duty to work with partners to prepare for and respond to emergencies and incidents covered by the Act.  All staff may be required to undertake activities, at a level commensurate with the skills and experience required by their role, to assist in ensuring this duty is undertaken.

This role description sets out a broad indication of the role, where it sits within the overall NRW structure and indicative expectations of the post holder. It is not intended to provide a detailed description of all tasks and activities. This document should be read in conjunction with the job specific Personal Development Plan which sets out the specific activities and projects to be delivered during the year.

Before applying for this role please read the candidate guidance

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 and we have a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

We are an employer of choice because we put the principles of human rights, equality, fairness, dignity and respect at the heart of our values.