Specialist Advisor, Energy

Team / Directorate: Planning, Landscape and Energy / Evidence, Policy & Permitting

Starting salary: £41,132 rising to £44,988 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)

The role involves leading on the provision of Energy and Decarbonisation technical assessments and advice to inform the development of NRW policy, programmes, plans, strategies and guidance. This includes working with colleagues from other teams in EPP and Operations to optimise environmental benefits from the deployment of renewable energy and associated infrastructure. You will also work with and advise officials from WG and sector representatives in the development of their plans, policies and strategies for the energy sector.

The post will report to the Planning, Landscape and Energy Team Leader, which sits within Natural Resources Management Policy. It does not involve any line-management responsibilities.

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.

Interviews will take place through Microsoft Teams. Vetting checks may be required depending on the role. Appointments are normally made within 4 to 6 weeks of the closing date.

What you will do:

• 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, 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 needs and opportunities and project manage agreed evidence projects, in line with the agreed evidence programme.
• Support engagement with sectors, partners, WG, UK Government Departments, EA, SEPA, OFGEM, Natural England, National Grid, sector bodies such as RUK and BHA, professional bodies and academia; and be the lead point of contact for customer queries.
• 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.
• 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 legislation related to energy.
• Welsh, UK Government policy drivers and strategies in energy, decarbonisation and climate change and the issues and opportunities in Wales.
• Experience of technical analysis and interpretation of a range of complex energy generation, distribution and storage, decarbonisation and climate change information and data sources; analysing large data sets using spreadsheets and relevant models.
• Working with WG, UK Government, regulators, sectors and professional bodies, and academia.
• 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: 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.

We are 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 a 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.