Senior Strategic Environmental Policy Specialist in Aberystwyth

Role ID: 203146

Directorate: Evidence, Policy and Permitting

Team: Integrated Approaches for Nature, Climate and People

Location: Aberystwyth

Grade/Salary range 8: £52,268 - £57,726

Working pattern: Full time

Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment (FTA)

Closing date: 16/12/2025

The role involves developing and managing a new, cross-cutting programme of policy and advice that supports the sustainable management of natural resources (SMNR) as part of NRW's Natural Resource Management Service. The programme encourages integration of nature, climate, and people across NRW's work and covers various policy areas including climate change, biodiversity, SMNR, wellbeing, access to and enjoyment of nature and the outdoors, environmental assessment, land use planning, landscape, and energy.

You will provide strategic environmental policy advice within NRW and to Welsh and UK Government, acting as senior specialist advisor for the Natural Resource Management Service on collaborative work areas with other Services in NRW, such as sustainable finance. You will also manage a range of strategic external relationships and act as the primary point of contact with the Office of Environmental Governance for Wales.

This opportunity is offered as a Fixed Term Appointment (FTA) until 29 May 2026 with the possibility of being made permanent. The organisation supports flexible working, and you will be contracted to the nearest NRW office to your home with a suitable hybrid working pattern agreed upon appointment.

Interviews will take place through Microsoft Teams. Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS). Appointments are normally made within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date. This role meets the criteria for sponsorship under the UK 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.

The post is part of the Natural Resource Management Policy Department and reports to the Manager of the Integrated Approaches for Nature, Climate, and People. The Department includes three further Groups focused on strategic environmental advice on the three ecosystems - land, water, and marine. The post will require travel to NRW and other offices in Wales and occasionally elsewhere in the UK.

What you will do:

• Be the principal point of contact with the Office of Environmental Governance for Wales to share information and collaborate on environmental governance and strategic project work.
• Develop policies, strategies, plans, and programmes for a wide portfolio of disciplines related to Integrated Approaches across nature, climate, and people, ensuring collaboration and integration with relevant areas of policy.
• Identify and manage organisational and reputational risks related to the Integrated Approaches Programme.
• Lead on mentoring and coaching Advisors within the Integrated Approaches for Nature, Climate and People Group.
• Provide advice to Welsh Government and other bodies in Wales and the UK as appropriate.
• Review and oversee evidence needs and opportunities, commission evidence, and project manage complex evidence projects.
• Contribute to task and finish groups related to environmental governance and strategic project work.
• Undertake health and safety duties appropriate to the post.
• Commit to Natural Resources Wales Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy.
• Commit to personal development through the effective use of your personal development plan.
• Perform any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.

Your qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills:

• Extensive knowledge of Welsh, UK, and EU legislation and policy drivers related to environmental governance and regulation.
• Experience in informing and influencing government departments/regulators on environmental issues.
• Knowledge of how to overcome complex priorities and barriers faced by NRW and stakeholders.
• Experience of working at a national level, managing a portfolio of work programmes related to environmental policy.
• In-depth understanding of environmental governance and the complex range of drivers and barriers to delivery.
• Ability to work at pace with a track record of delivery.
• Experience in a programme and project management environment.

Welsh Language level requirements:

Essential: Level A1 - Entry level. NRW offers learning options and staff support to help meet these minimal requirements during employment.

Benefits:

• Civil Service Pension Scheme offering employer contributions of 28.97%.
• 28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days.
• Generous leave entitlements for all 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 guarantee interviews for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

We want to attract and retain talented and highly skilled staff, ensuring competitive pay scales. We advertise the full pay scale on our job descriptions. Appointed candidates start at the first point of the pay scale with annual increments paid each year.

Natural Resources Wales is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position unless stated otherwise. We want our staff to grow professionally and personally, providing opportunities for leadership development and access to further education courses.

We are a bilingual organisation complying with the Welsh Language Standards. Welsh language skills are considered an asset, and we encourage staff to learn and develop their Welsh language skills.

Applications are welcome from individuals who work part-time, as part of a job share, or who work full-time.