Strategic Nitrogen Action Plan Advisor

Team / Directorate: Strategic Projects / Operations 

Starting salary:  £36,246 rising to £39,942 per annum through annual increments being paid each year (pro rata for part time applicants)

Work pattern: Full time, 37 hours a week (Part time, annualised hours, compressed hours or term time working considered - discussions at interview stage welcome)

Post number: 203210 (For office use only: ENV TJN GRJ TTJ)

The role

You will work in NRW’s Strategic Projects Team to develop Strategic Nitrogen Action Plans (SNAPs) for key sites sensitive to atmospheric Nitrogen emissions, using modelled data on local sources of nitrogen pollution. This work aims to address the “Nature Emergency”, reverse biodiversity declines and build ecosystem resilience. The role involves working closely with NRW staff, Welsh Government and landowners.  

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 Chris Lindley at Chris.Lindley@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 work is being taken forward through the Nature Networks capital grants programme – a Welsh Government-funded programme aiming to improve the condition and management of protected sites throughout Wales.  The programme is coordinated through Strategic Projects in Operations, but this role will work closely with the Environment Teams responsible for the protection of the identified key sites.

What you will do

• Work with NRW staff to identify which exemplar site to focus on in each Area.
• Use modelled source attribution data, that will have an element of complexity and be of a technical nature requiring degree level understanding, to identify which activities might be affecting each exemplar site. 
• Meet local farmers and land managers to discuss potential options for N pollution reduction, identified by the officer using their expertise and knowledge, especially those funded by the Sustainable Farm Scheme.
• Produce a Site Nitrogen Action Plan for each exemplar site.
• 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. Experience of nature conservation, biodiversity, protected sites & landscapes in marine or terrestrial environment. 
2. Experience of working with landowners and/or other stakeholders. 
3. Strong and effective self-management and organisational skills. 
4. The ability to influence, negotiate and gain cooperation of others. Experience of dealing successfully with difficult people / situations is important. 
5. Excellent communication and inter-personal skills with a customer focus. 
6. Excellent at building effective working relationship with colleagues and external partners. 
7. Ability to write clear, concise technical reports. 
8. The ability to use specialised IT systems, such as GIS or NRW customised applications. 
9. Able to work well as part of a team. 
10. Hold a current full UK valid licence to drive NRW fleet vehicles.

Welsh language level requirements

• Essential: Level A1 - Entry level (able to use and understand simple, basic phrases and greetings, no conversational Welsh)
• Desirable: Level B2 – Upper intermediate level (able to discuss work matters) 

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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