Sustainable Water & Nature Manager

Team / Directorate: Natural Resource Management /Evidence, Policy & Permitting

Starting salary: £59,547 rising to £65,004 per annum through annual increments being paid each year (pro rata for part time applicants)

Contract type:  Permanent

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: To be confirmed

Post number: 201313

The role

The role leads and manages the Sustainable Land and Nature Group in the Natural Resources Management Policy Department.

As a member of the Management Team for the Natural Resources Management Policy Department, you will:

• fulfil a key strategic role in the delivery of sustainable management of water and nature
• provide the leadership role for NRW on the development of strategy and policy in relation to the sustainable management of water and nature
• provide high level influence and impact across NRW, WG, UK Government and Agencies, and the Wales public service.

You will manage a Group consisting of four teams:

• Freshwater ecosystems and fisheries management
• Water quality
• Water resources
• Integrated water planning

The post currently has 7 direct reports (the number may change) including the team leaders for the four above teams, and the Principal Advisor Fisheries, Senior Specialist Advisor Water, and Lead Specialist Advisor for Strategic Environmental Policy.  

The Manager reports to the Head of Natural Resource Management Policy.

A key early priority will be integrating freshwater ecosystems and fisheries management with sustainable water in the Group and wider programmes of work. 

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.

To make an informal enquiry about this role, please contact Mary Lewis at mary.lewis@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk

Interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams.

Successful external applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) check. We aim to make offers of appointment within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date.

About us

This post manages the Sustainable Land and Water Group in the Natural Resource Management (NRM) Policy Department, in the Evidence, Policy and Permitting Directorate. 

The NRM Policy Department owns and defines, for NRW, the single-voice environment and people outcomes for each ecosystem, land, water and marine, and cross-cutting areas of NRM policy, in order to facilitate delivery of the Corporate Plan vision of nature and people thriving together. The Sustainable Water and Nature Group delivers this for freshwater ecosystems. 

The post works as part of a management team with other managers of groups in the Department delivering for terrestrial ecosystems, marine ecosystems, and cross-cutting NRM policy such as climate change and biodiversity.

What you will do

• Lead, as strategic manager, the setting and implementing of sustainable water and nature management policy.
• Translate Welsh Government policy into a range of interventions for use across NRW functions to deliver sustainable management of water and nature.
• Lead the Water Programme and Group contribution to the NRM Service Plan, tracking and monitoring performance and funding through the year
• Lead the preparation of evidence programmes for water and nature
• Manage and motivate multiple teams and staff working at a national/international level.
• Be the Business Lead for freshwater ecosystems, freshwater fisheries management, water quality, water resources, integrated water planning and sustainable water and nature management
• Be accountable for the group budget
• Work with and influence key sectors, stakeholders and senior external colleagues, Ministers, politicians and officials (at Wales, UK and international levels) to ensure that NRW fulfils its roles and duties in relation to the sustainable management of water and nature
• Influence the policy and strategy of other organisations, operators and other groups to support the sustainable management of water and nature
• Lead and project manage specific complex issues such as the provision of expert planning, advice, guidance, evidence, corporate targets/plans, legislation change, and technical briefings to staff at all levels
• 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).
• 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.

1.      Knowledge of: Welsh, UK and EU legislation related to Freshwater Ecosystems, Freshwater Fisheries Management, Water Quality, Water Resources, Integrated Water Planning and Sustainable Management of Water and Nature
2. Knowledge of: Welsh & UK Governments policy drivers in Freshwater Ecosystems, Freshwater Fisheries Management, Water Quality, Water Resources, Integrated Water Planning and Sustainable Management of Water and Nature
3. Knowledge and practical understanding of: how to overcome the complex priorities, drivers and barriers faced by NRW, partners and stakeholders involved in delivering for Freshwater Ecosystems, Freshwater Fisheries Management, Water Quality, Water Resources, Integrated Water Planning and Sustainable Management of Water and Nature
4. Knowledge and understanding of: the priorities of partners in the private, public, third sector and opportunities for collaboration
5. Experience of: in-depth understanding of Sustainable Water and Nature Management and the complex range of drivers and barriers to delivery
6. Experience of: working in a programme and project management environment with Project Management experience and/or qualifications
7. Experience of representing the organisation in high profile and contentious issues in the public arena.

Welsh language level requirements

• Desirable:  A1 - Entry level (able to use and understand simple, basic phrases and greetings, no conversational Welsh) previous Level 1

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%
• 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

See full details for all the employee benefits you will receive.

Please keep reading

If you think you have what it takes to do this role, but don’t necessarily meet every single point on the job description, please still get in touch and we will be happy to discuss the role with you in more detail.

We’re passionate about creating a diverse workforce and positively encourage applications from under-represented communities. We embrace equality of opportunity irrespective of disability, neurodivergence, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, gender expression and gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, culture, or religion.   We put the principles of human rights, equality, fairness, dignity and respect at the heart of our values.

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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