Lead Biodiversity Policy Advisor

Team / Directorate: Biodiversity Policy & Strategy, 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: Permanent
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: 203907
The role
Are you ready to lead national efforts to deliver real biodiversity gains through planning and policy? We\’re looking for a strategic, technically skilled professional to drive the development and implementation of Net Benefit for Biodiversity across Wales.
As Lead Specialist Advisor, Net Benefit for Biodiversity, you\’ll spearhead Natural Resources Wales\’ (NRW) work in embedding net benefit for biodiversity into planning, regulation and decision-making. You\’ll lead the creation of policies, technical guidance and practical approaches that translate national legislation and policy into effective on-the-ground outcomes.
Working closely with teams across NRW and with external partners including Welsh Government, UK agencies and sector stakeholders, you\’ll shape how biodiversity enhancement is delivered through the town and country planning system and other frameworks. You\’ll also act as a central source of expert advice on applying biodiversity net benefit principles in practice.
Key responsibilities include:

• Leading NRW\’s policy development and guidance on net benefit for biodiversity.

• Translating legal and policy frameworks into actionable solutions.

• Advising internal teams and external stakeholders on implementing biodiversity enhancements.

• Supporting cross-functional working across planning, species, and regulatory teams.

• Driving continuous improvement in NRW\’s internal processes related to biodiversity net gain.

This is a pivotal opportunity to shape the future of biodiversity enhancement in Wales. If you\’re an expert in policy, planning and ecological outcomes – and ready to lead from the front – we\’d love to hear from you.
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.
Interviews will be confirmed at a later date.
Successful external applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) check. We aim to make offers of appointment within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date.
What you will do

• 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 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 ofthe legal and policy framework for biodiversity to ensure integrity of NRW approaches with Welsh and UK Government and EU Policy intent and international obligations.
• Advise on evidence needs and opportunities, commission evidence & project manage evidence projects, in line with the agreed evidence programme.
• Maintain a detailed working knowledge of biodiversity policy and legislation identifying the implications of legislative, technology and market changes and seeking to influence opportunities for legislative and policy change.
• 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 and other UK bodies on the specific policy areas related to biodiversity, protected sites and species.
• 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 .

• Knowledge of: Welsh, UK and EU/International legislation related to biodiversity, protected sites and species.; Welsh & UK Governments & EU policy drivers in biodiversity and protected sites and species.
• Knowledge and practical understanding of the range of partners and stakeholders involved in biodiversity, protected sites and species in Wales.
• Experience of: Working at a national, UK and international level managing a portfolio of work programmes related to biodiversity, protected sites and species.
• Working in a programme and project management environment with Project Management experience and/or qualifications.
• You will be a member of a relevant professional institution and/or working towards membership.
• Representing the organisation in high profile and contentious issues in the public arena.
• 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
If you think you have what it takes to do this role, but don\’t necessarily meet every single point on the job description, please still get in touch and we will be happy to discuss the role with you in more detail.
We\’re passionate about creating a diverse workforce and positively encourage applications from under-represented communities. We embrace equality of opportunity irrespective of disability, neurodivergence, ethnic origin,colour, nationality, gender expression and gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation,culture,or religion. We put the principles of human rights, equality, fairness, dignity and respect at the heart of our values .
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.

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Job Overview

ID:

1575579

Date Posted:

Posted 2 weeks ago

Expiration Date:

19/07/2025

Location:

Competitive

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