Lead Water Resources 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 for 12 months with the possibility of extension or permanency

Work pattern:  Full time, 37 hours per week (Part time, annualised hours, compressed hours or term time working considered - discussions at interview stage welcome)

Post number: 203934

The role

Make a lasting impact on the way Wales manages its most vital natural resource.

We’re looking for an experienced and motivated professional to take on the pivotal role of Water Resources Lead Specialist Advisor within Natural Resources Wales’ (NRW) Water Resources Regulatory Approaches Team, part of the Evidence, Policy and Permitting (EPP) directorate.

In this strategic role, you'll be at the forefront of shaping how we fund sustainable water resources management across Wales. You’ll use your expertise to:

• Advise on charging schemes: Provide expert advice on the development and operation of current and future charging schemes for water resources.
• Drive change: Act as the technical lead for delivering the strategic review of charges (annual subsistence) for water resources, ensuring our approach is robust, fair, and future-ready.
• Turn policy into action: Collaborate across teams to develop and implement NRW policy, charging schemes, strategies, and guidance—bringing Welsh and UK Government policies to life in practical and effective ways.
• Support sustainable funding: Help ensure that our water resources charging schemes raise the right level of income to support sustainable water management and meet service expectations.
• Ensure compliance and integrity: Make sure our water resources charges schemes align with the relevant government policies, water resources legislation, accountancy standards, and NRW's governance procedures.
• Engage and influence: Work closely with colleagues across NRW, the Regulatory Business Management Team, Welsh Government officials, and sector representatives.

If you're ready to play a key role in protecting Wales’ water for future generations while influencing policy and regulatory design at the highest levels—this could be the role for you.

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 & Caroline Harris caroline.harris@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk

Interviews will be held on 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

As a Water Resources Lead Specialist Advisor, you'll be part of Natural Resources Wales’ (NRW) Water Resources Regulatory Approaches Team—at the heart of our Evidence, Policy and Permitting function.

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. Knowledge sharing and problem solving skills to support Heads of Business

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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