Marine Energy Policy Lead Advisor

Closing Date: 15 June 2025 | Salary: Grade 7: £45,367 - £50,877 per annum | Location: Flexible

Team / Directorate: Marine & Coastal Policy & Planning 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: 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)

Post number: 201434

The role

Are you passionate about the marine environment and committed to supporting Wales’ transition to a low-carbon future? We’re looking for a strategic and experienced marine energy advisor to help shape the future of offshore wind and other marine renewables in Wales. 

As Lead Specialist Advisor for Marine Energy, you’ll play a central role in providing expert, high-level policy advice on marine energy developments – with a strong focus on offshore wind. You’ll lead Natural Resources Wales’ (NRW) strategic input into government policy, sector planning, and national marine energy initiatives. 

Working as part of our Marine & Coastal Policy & Planning team, you’ll develop guidance, tools, and evidence that inform environmentally responsible marine energy growth. You’ll work across NRW and with external stakeholders including Welsh and UK Governments, The Crown Estate, and the wider offshore energy sector to ensure sustainable outcomes for nature, climate and communities. 

Key responsibilities include: 

  • Leading the development of NRW’s marine energy policy and strategic advice, particularly in relation to offshore wind. 

  • Monitoring and influencing policy, strategies and plans that shape the marine energy landscape in Wales and the UK. 

  • Planning and prioritising NRW’s marine energy work and collaborating across teams to align on delivery. 

  • Representing NRW at strategic forums and stakeholder groups to promote evidence-based, nature-positive marine energy deployment. 

  • Mentoring team members and helping to build internal expertise in marine industries and offshore renewables. 

  • Supporting NRW governance with briefings, strategic papers, and expert representation at key decision points. 

This is a high-impact opportunity to be part of Wales’ response to the climate and nature emergencies, working at the forefront of marine energy strategy. Join our dedicated team and help shape a cleaner, greener future for Wales. 

To make an informal enquiry about this role, please contact Helen Bloomfield at Helen.Bloomfield@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk.   

Interviews will be confirmed at a later date.

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.

What you will do

  • Lead and project manage specific and complex issues that require development of NRW policies, strategies, plans, programmes including support on casework that is novel, contentious or of high public interest. 
  • Provide statutory advice to WG and other bodies in Wales as well as UK government departments with reserved marine responsibilities, and in-turn review and advise on the produced policy, plans and strategies. 
  • Retain ownership and oversight of the marine industry and energy policy area 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 the marine industry and energy sectors 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. 
  • Steer the overview and ownership of engagement with Welsh Government on the specific policy areas related to marine industry and energy. 
  • Collaborate with the Team Leader to develop and deliver an agreed Personal Development Plan. 
  • 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 the planning, management and regulation of the marine environment; Welsh, UK Government policy drivers in the planning and management of marine industry and energy sectors; 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 industry and energy sectors outcomes in Wales.  
  3. Experience of: In-depth understanding of the planning, management and regulation of marine industries and energy sectors and the complex range of drivers and barriers to delivery. 
  4. Working in a programme and project management environment with Project Management experience and/or qualifications.  
  5. You will be a member of a relevant professional institution and/or working towards membership. 
  6. Representing the organisation in high profile and contentious issues in the public arena. 
  7. 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

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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