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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead waste policy development and collaborate with government and regulators to drive environmental change.
- Company: Join Natural Resources Wales, the leading body for environmental protection in Wales.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive pay, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability while working in a supportive and innovative team culture.
- Qualifications: Knowledge of environmental legislation and experience in influencing government policies are essential.
- Other info: Welsh language skills are a plus, and we support learning opportunities for all staff.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The role
Are you passionate about environmental protection and keen to influence how Wales manages its waste and resources? In this dynamic position, you will work closely with Welsh and UK government departments and environmental regulators to develop and implement waste policy. This role offers a unique opportunity to build expertise across diverse areas of waste policy, with particular value placed on experience in hazardous waste legislation, waste classification, and/or International Waste Shipment regulations.
We seek a proactive professional with a strong grasp of environmental regulation, excellent communication skills, and the ability to interpret complex legislation and data. You may also be required to work on other waste policy areas outside your specific area of expertise, depending on work priorities. If you\’re ready to drive positive change and collaborate at a national level, this role could be the perfect fit.
As an organisation we support flexible working. You will be contracted to the nearest NRW office to your home 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 via Microsoft Teams 01/10/2025
About us
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is the lead environmental body for Wales, working to protect and enhance our natural resources now and for the future. Our Waste Policy Team plays a key role in shaping evidence-based strategy and providing expert advice to external stakeholders and across all areas of NRW\’s work.
We support the Welsh Government\’s Beyond Recycling and Towards Zero Waste strategies, promoting a circular economy by reducing waste, encouraging reuse and recovery, and ensuring sustainable end uses for materials.
By joining us, you\’ll be part of a dedicated team driving real environmental change and helping deliver Wales\’ ambitious sustainability goals.
What you will do
- Be the principle point of contact with the relevant UK and Welsh Trade Associations, Government Departments and environmental regulators, both UK and European, to 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 NRWs 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 (known as Sgwrs).
- Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.
- Required to take part in incident response activities.
Your qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills
Applications to this role will be assessed based on the following criteria both at shortlisting and interview. In your job application please demonstrate, using the STAR method, how you meet the requirements outlined below.
Welsh Language Level requirements:
- Essential: Level A1 – Entry level
Please note if you do not meet the level 1 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.
Please keep reading
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 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.
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Lead Waste Policy Advisor employer: Natural Resources Wales
Contact Detail:
Natural Resources Wales Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Waste Policy Advisor
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest Welsh, UK, and EU waste legislation. Understanding the nuances of these regulations will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role and its responsibilities.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the environmental sector, especially those involved in waste policy. Engaging with trade associations and attending relevant events can provide insights and connections that may give you an edge in the application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've influenced government departments or regulators in the past. Use the STAR method to structure your responses, focusing on your achievements in environmental policy or related areas.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current trends and challenges in waste management and environmental protection. Being knowledgeable about recent developments will show your passion for the field and your readiness to contribute to NRW's goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Waste Policy Advisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Lead Waste Policy Advisor position. Familiarise yourself with the key areas such as hazardous waste legislation and international waste shipment regulations.
Use the STAR Method: When detailing your experience in the application, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to clearly demonstrate how you meet the criteria outlined in the job description. This structured approach will help you present your qualifications effectively.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasise your experience in influencing government departments and working with stakeholders on environmental issues. Provide specific examples that showcase your ability to interpret complex legislation and your proactive approach to policy development.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since excellent communication skills are crucial for this role, ensure your application reflects your ability to convey complex information clearly. Consider including examples of successful collaborations or presentations you've delivered in previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at Natural Resources Wales
✨Understand the Legislation
Make sure you have a solid grasp of Welsh, UK, and EU legislation related to waste management. Be prepared to discuss how these laws impact the role and how you can contribute to their interpretation and implementation.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As this role involves liaising with various stakeholders, demonstrate your excellent communication skills. Prepare examples of how you've effectively influenced government departments or regulators in the past.
✨Use the STAR Method
When answering questions, utilise the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. This will help you clearly convey your experiences and how they relate to the job requirements.
✨Demonstrate Your Proactivity
Highlight instances where you've taken initiative in previous roles, especially in relation to environmental policy or regulatory changes. Show that you're not just reactive but can drive positive change proactively.