Lead Specialist Advisor, Regulatory Approaches

Lead Specialist Advisor, Regulatory Approaches

Full-Time 39300 - 44500 Β£ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the development of water quality charging schemes and ensure compliance with government policies.
  • Company: Join Natural Resources Wales, a key player in environmental regulation and sustainability.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, a generous pension scheme, and 28-33 days of annual leave.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on water quality management while growing your career in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: Knowledge of relevant legislation and experience in regulatory roles are essential.
  • Other info: Welsh language skills are a plus, with support available for learning.

The predicted salary is between 39300 - 44500 Β£ per year.

Join to apply for the Lead Specialist Advisor, Regulatory Approaches role at Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru / Natural Resources Wales.

Team / Directorate: Water Quality Regulatory Approaches Team/ Evidence, Policy and Permitting

Starting salary: Β£45,367 rising to Β£50,877 per annum through annual increments being paid each year (pro rata for part time applicants)

Contract type: Fixed Term appointment for 3 years from appointment date

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

Interview Date: 23 July 2025

The role:

  • Be the lead organisational expert on matters relating to our current or future charging schemes for water quality.
  • Provide the expert lead for delivering the strategic review of charges (annual subsistence) for water quality.
  • Work with others to manage the preparation of relevant water quality, NRW policy, charging schemes, programmes, plans, strategies and guidance.
  • Ensure that we are raising the appropriate level of income from water quality charges to deliver sustainable management of water quality and expected service standards.
  • Ensure that our water quality charging schemes comply with relevant government policy, accountancy standards and internal governance, policy and procedures.
  • Work with the Regulatory Business Management Team, Operations and EPP and officials from WG and sector representatives.

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 Eleanor Ellick at eleanor.ellick@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk.

Interviews will take place through 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:

This Water Quality Lead Specialist Advisor role sits within NRW's Water Quality Regulatory Approaches Team in Evidence, Permitting and Planning. The purpose of the team is to make policy ambition a reality by developing the required processes, tools, guidance and training. The team supports the effective and proportionate regulation of the water quality sector in Wales. This new role will support our work through the development of appropriate fees and charges.

What you will do:

  • Be the principal point of contact with environmental regulators, both UK and European, to share information and work together on the regulatory approach, technical advice and guidance for all relevant sectors.
  • Share information and work together on the development of operational policy and new legislation, interpretation of relevant legislation, advice and guidance for the specific sector(s) and areas of responsibility.
  • 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).
  • Support the development and training of staff across NRW by applying technical, legislative and regulatory knowledge and experience.
  • Lead and project manage specific and complex issues to enable consistent and appropriate understanding and application by staff that enables effective regulatory service provision.
  • Contribute to the delivery of the team's business plan, the directorate delivery plan and NRW's corporate plan.
  • Support the mentoring and coaching of Advisors within the team to ensure that the team has sufficient technical and legislative resilience for your assigned area of work.
  • Advise on evidence needs and opportunities, commission evidence & project manage evidence projects, in line with the agreed evidence programme.
  • Design monitoring and evaluation frameworks of regulation interventions to inform assessment of the need for improvements in regulation and permitting processes by NRW.
  • 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.
  • Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.

Your Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge And Skills:

  • Knowledge of Welsh, UK and EU legislation related to your specific sector(s); Welsh, UK government Policy drivers in your specific sector(s).
  • Experience in informing and influencing government departments/regulators, preferably on environmental issues.
  • Extensive experience in forming and maintaining close links with internal and external partners/stakeholders to deliver the outcomes of both a specific function/project/team and the wider organisation.
  • Experience of understanding and applying regulatory activities.
  • Be able to work at pace and have a track record of delivery.
  • Being innovative and demonstrating drive to achieve target.
  • You will be expected to keep up to date with changing regulatory policy and proposed changes to legislation via membership of a relevant professional body or other equivalent means.

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, 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’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 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.

Lead Specialist Advisor, Regulatory Approaches employer: Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru / Natural Resources Wales

Natural Resources Wales is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional development. With flexible working arrangements, a generous leave policy, and a commitment to equality and diversity, employees are empowered to grow both personally and professionally while contributing to the sustainable management of Wales' natural resources.
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Contact Detail:

Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru / Natural Resources Wales Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🀫

We think this is how you could land Lead Specialist Advisor, Regulatory Approaches

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest Welsh, UK, and EU legislation related to water quality. Understanding these regulations will not only help you in the role but also demonstrate your commitment and expertise during discussions.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the environmental sector, especially those involved in regulatory approaches. Building relationships can provide insights into the role and may even lead to referrals or recommendations.

✨Tip Number 3

Stay updated on current trends and changes in water quality management. This knowledge will be crucial for discussions during interviews and will show that you are proactive and engaged in your field.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare to discuss your experience in influencing government departments or regulators. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully navigated complex regulatory environments in the past.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Specialist Advisor, Regulatory Approaches

Knowledge of Welsh, UK and EU legislation related to water quality
Understanding of Welsh and UK government policy drivers
Experience in influencing government departments and regulators
Ability to form and maintain relationships with stakeholders
Experience in regulatory activities and compliance
Project management skills for complex issues
Strong analytical skills for evaluating regulatory interventions
Excellent communication skills for sharing technical advice
Ability to work at pace and deliver results
Commitment to professional development and continuous learning
Welsh language proficiency at Level A1 or willingness to learn
Mentoring and coaching skills for team development
Adaptability to changing regulatory policies

Some tips for your application 🫑

Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Lead Specialist Advisor role. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the specific duties mentioned in the job description.

Use the STAR Method: When detailing your experience, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. This will help you clearly demonstrate your qualifications and how you've successfully handled relevant situations in the past.

Highlight Relevant Legislation Knowledge: Emphasise your knowledge of Welsh, UK, and EU legislation related to water quality. Provide specific examples of how you've applied this knowledge in previous roles or projects to show your expertise in the field.

Showcase Stakeholder Engagement: Illustrate your experience in forming and maintaining relationships with internal and external partners. Highlight any successful collaborations that led to positive outcomes, as this is crucial for the role's responsibilities.

How to prepare for a job interview at Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru / Natural Resources Wales

✨Understand the Regulatory Landscape

Familiarise yourself with Welsh, UK, and EU legislation relevant to water quality. Be prepared to discuss how these regulations impact the role and the organisation's objectives.

✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Engagement Skills

Showcase your experience in building relationships with internal and external partners. Prepare examples of how you've influenced government departments or regulators on environmental issues.

✨Use the STAR Method

When answering questions, structure your responses using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). This will help you clearly articulate your experiences and achievements.

✨Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect questions that assess your technical knowledge and problem-solving abilities. Brush up on recent changes in regulatory policies and be ready to discuss how you would apply this knowledge in practice.

Lead Specialist Advisor, Regulatory Approaches
Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru / Natural Resources Wales
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