Specialist Energy Advisor

As a key member of our Planning, Landscape and Energy Team, you’ll be providing expert advice to the Welsh and UK Governments on their policies, strategies, and plans for decarbonising the energy sector. This will involve developing and managing strategic relationships with Welsh Government and other key stakeholders within the sector.

Working with a range of expert colleagues across our regulatory, advisory, and environmental specialist teams, you’ll be developing priority NRW policies, strategies, and guidance to support environmentally informed decision-making in the deployment of energy infrastructure.

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.

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.

This role meets the criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. Natural Resources Wales welcomes applications from non-UK citizens who are eligible to apply under this route, subject to confirmation by the Home Office.

Please note that while we may be able to support the Certificate of Sponsorship required for a visa application, the organisation does not cover the cost of the visa itself, including any associated fees for dependants. The applicant must still meet the UK Skilled Worker Visa Eligibility and Requirement.

About us: Our Planning, Landscape and Energy Team sits within the Evidence Policy and Permitting Directorate of NRW. We are responsible for providing strategic direction for the wider organisation in matters relating to development planning, landscape, and energy. Our role supports Wales’s resilience to climate change, nature’s recovery, and efforts to minimise pollution.

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, NESO, EA, SEPA, OFGEM, Natural England, National Grid, sector bodies such as Renewables UK Cymru UK and British Hydropower Association, 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.
• 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.

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.