Marine Water Quality Lead Specialist

Team / Directorate: Water and Nature Projects / Evidence, Policy & Permitting

Starting salary:  £45,367 rising to £50,877 per annum through annual increments being paid each year (pro rata for part time applicants)

Contract type: Fixed Term appointment until 31/03/2026 There may be the potential for this appointment to be extended or become a permanent position at a later date, however this cannot be guaranteed

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: 24 & 25 July 2025

Post number: 203970

The role

You will lead the development and delivery of a project to progress the Marine Water Quality elements of the Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) nutrients programme, reporting to the Programme Board. This will include ensuring consistency of approach with the Rivers and Lakes elements of the SAC nutrients programme, and that NRW’s legal duties in respect of both Habitats and Water Framework Directive Directives are not compromised.

You will provide the expert lead in development, coordination and delivery of a Marine Water Quality workstream as part of a wider Special Area of Conservation water quality programme. This role will build on the work carried out the SAC Rivers Nutrient Project to assess the requirements associated with dissolved inorganic nitrogen impacting on marine SACs. You will manage the preparation of NRW policy, strategies and guidance associated with nutrients in marine SAC.  You will work with other programme workstream leads, water quality and marine staff, WG and sector representatives.  The role is part of the Water and Nature Projects team in the Sustainable Water and Nature Group.

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.

There may be the potential for this appointment to be extended or become a permanent position at a later date, however this cannot be guaranteed.

To make an informal enquiry about this role, please contact Rhian Thomas at rhian.thomas@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk

Interviews will take place through Microsoft Teams 

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.

About us

You will work within the new Water and Nature Projects Team within the Natural Resources Management Department in the Evidence Policy and Permitting Directorate. This is a new team intended to deliver new strategies relating to water quality issues in protected areas.

What you will do

• Lead and project manage specific and complex issues that require development of NRW tools, policies, strategies, plans and programmes, related to marine water quality improvements aimed at the delivery of nutrient neutrality in impacted marine SACs including in the river catchments above.
• Provide statutory advice to WG and other local and national bodies in Wales on water quality solutions including interventions such as compensatory measures and nutrient calculators, and in-turn review and advise on the produced policy, plans and strategies.
• Retain ownership and oversight of marine protected area water quality management to ensure integrity of NRW approaches with Welsh Government, Central Government and EU Policy intent.
• Advise on evidence needs and opportunities, commission evidence & project manage evidence projects, in line with the agreed evidence programme.
• Maintain a detailed working knowledge of marine protected area water quality management (with a focus on nutrients) 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 Programme and Business Boards, to prepare defined products as required.
• Steer the overview and ownership of engagement with Welsh Government on the specific policy areas related to marine protected area nutrient management.
• Collaborate with the Team Leader to develop and deliver an agreed Sgwrs.
• 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.

1. Knowledge of: Welsh, UK and EU legislation related to water quality (particularly nutrients) planning, assessment and management, including Special Areas of Conservation; Welsh & UK Governments & EU policy drivers in marine protected areas and water quality (particularly nutrients) planning, assessment and management, ; and the issues and opportunities in Wales. 
2. Knowledge and practical understanding of how to overcome the complex priorities, drivers and barriers faced by NRW, partners and stakeholders involved in delivering marine protected areas water quality improvements, including regulation, management, and development planning. 
3. Good technical knowledge and experience in water quality restoration principles and interventions that will deliver marine water quality improvements as well as wider multiple benefits for biodiversity and marine protected areas.
4. Experience of: In-depth understanding of marine protected areas water quality nutrient issues, and the complex range of drivers and barriers to delivery.
5. Working in a programme and project management environment with Project Management experience and/or qualifications. 
6. You will be a member of a relevant professional institution and/or working towards membership.
7. Representing the organisation in high profile and contentious issues in the public arena and at a national level.
8. Proven experience of successful partnership working across a variety of sectors including, for example, water companies, local authorities, environmental NGOS, planners and developers.
9. Share your knowledge and expertise to help solve problems, supporting all Heads of Business in EPP as required.

Welsh language level requirements

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

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

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

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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