Sustainable Land Management Team Leader

Team / Directorate: - Sustainable Land / Evidence, Policy & Permitting

Starting salary: £52,268

Contract type: Permanent

Work pattern: Full time, 37 hours per week

Post number: 201462

The role

As the Sustainable Land Management Team Leader, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and leading a dynamic team in alignment with Natural Resources Wales’ core values. You will have the opportunity to spearhead a wide array of strategic and environmental initiatives focused on the Sustainable Management of Land, encompassing key areas such as Forestry, Agriculture, and Soils.

In this senior leadership position, you will take on the responsibility of being the technical lead for your area of expertise, offering authoritative guidance and in-depth knowledge to both the Welsh and UK Governments. Your insights will influence and inform legislative change, government policies, and stakeholder agendas within your specialist domain.

Additionally, you will play a critical role in translating complex legislation, Welsh Government policies, and NRW’s organisational strategy into actionable, practical solutions for frontline delivery within a regulatory and operational framework.

This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic thinker with a passion for sustainability to make a lasting impact on environmental policies and the management of Wales’ natural resources.

As an organisation we support flexible working.  You will be contracted to an NRW office within the place base / location above 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 Michelle Griffiths.

michelle.griffiths@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.

What you will do

• Lead a large team of professional specialist advisors and, as well as being a recognised specialist in their own field, lead and project manage specific and complex issues that require development of NRW policies, strategies, plans, programmes.
• Lead and project manage specific and complex issues, such as Guidance preparation, that require development of policies, strategies, plans, programmes for NRW and relevant sectors/partners.
• Provide statutory advice to WG and other bodies and sectors in Wales.
• Retain ownership and oversight of Land Use Management policy area to ensure integrity of NRW approaches with Welsh Government, Central Government and EU Policy intent.
• Commission evidence & project manage evidence projects, in line with the agreed evidence programme.
• 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 Sustainable Land Management.
• Collaborate with the Manager 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 *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 Sustainable Land Management and Use; Welsh & UK Governments & EU policy drivers related to Sustainable Land Management and Use; and the issues and opportunities in Wales; 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 Sustainable Land Management and Land Use outcomes in Wales. 

3. Experience of: Working at a national, UK and international level managing a portfolio of work programmes related to Sustainable Land Management.

4. You will be a member of a relevant professional institution and/or working towards membership.

5. Representing the organisation in high profile and contentious issues in the public arena.

6. Share your knowledge and expertise to help solve problems, supporting all Heads of Business in EPP as required.

Welsh language level requirements

• Essential: 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%
• 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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