Specialist Peatland Biodiversity Metric & Reporting Advisor

The role involves shaping how Wales measures the ecological success of peatland restoration. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is seeking a Specialist Advisor for Peatland Biodiversity Metric & Reporting to join the National Peatland Action Programme (NPAP). You will lead the development of biodiversity metrics that capture real restoration outcomes, turning complex ecological data into clear insights that inform reporting, policy, and future action. This role is a fixed term appointment only until 31/03/2028.

Peatlands are vital for biodiversity, carbon storage, and climate resilience. This is your chance to make a measurable impact on Wales’ environment. 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 upon appointment. Any regular face-to-face meetings or training will be planned in advance.

To make an informal enquiry about this role, please contact Esther Clews at esther.clews@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk. Interviews will take place through Microsoft Teams the week commencing 9th February 2026. Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Appointments are normally made within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date.

About us: The Peatland Data Support Team are data scientists who use spatial and statistical analytical tools to develop products that inform, implement, and report on NRW’s National Peatland Action Programme (NPAP). Funded by the Welsh Government, NPAP operates as a strategic project within NRW to coordinate peatland restoration action across Wales. This role is one of three Specialist Advisors who support the team leader and mentor junior staff to deliver workflows and data products that guide restoration planning and report on progress and outcomes. Together, we ensure that Wales’ peatlands are restored for biodiversity, carbon storage, and climate resilience.

What you will do:

• Provide expert technical support to the National Peatland Action Programme Technical Support Team Leader, and specialists across NPAP and NRW.
• Lead on the creation, ongoing development and implementation of metrics which accurately and succinctly reflect the status (condition) of peatland ecosystems and peatland species populations along recovery trajectories.
• Provide specialist expertise and knowledge to support the ongoing development of NPAP’s monitoring methodology to ensure data are statistically robust and fit for analysis using a metric-based approach.
• Analyse data from NPAP’s monitoring and wider evidence programme to assess trends in recovery based on metric variables.
• Generate a range of reports based on ecological metrics to support NPAP’s and NRW’s reporting obligations.
• Engage with internal and external partners to ensure the development of consistent approaches to reporting progress with peatland restoration based on biodiversity variables, and to utilise the best available evidence and new techniques.
• Provide technical advice, support and guidance as lead expert in the organisation and NPAP team for peatland biodiversity metrics and be the principal provider of advanced specialist training to enable the recording and use of relevant biodiversity data.
• 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 and that of your staff through the effective use of your personal development plan (known as Sgwrs).
• Required to take part in incident response activities.
• 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:

• Relevant degree or equivalent experience including experience of recording and analysing data such as biodiversity data.
• Exemplary IT skills and experience of the use, management and analysis of biodiversity data using a range of statistical and modelling software.
• Awareness and ability to evaluate IT and data requirements of business processes that produce and use data.
• Ability to build strong internal and external relationships with a range of partners/stakeholders to influence and gain co-operation of others.
• Able to work independently, demonstrating innovation, initiative and an ability to develop, or be receptive to, new ideas and creative solutions.

Welsh Language level requirements:

Essential: Level A1 - Entry level. 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’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.