Lead Specialist Advisor, Waste Regulatory Reform

Team / Directorate: Waste Regulatory Reform Programme Team / Evidence, Policy & Permitting Directorate

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 March 2026

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: 203763

The role

Welsh Government’s ‘Beyond Recycling Strategy’ is a plan to make the circular economy in Wales a reality, and highlights that our pathway towards a zero waste, low carbon economy has never been more important. So, it’s an exciting time for waste regulation!

Specifically, you will be responsible for leading and co-ordinating NRW’s input into reforming producer responsibility for Waste from Electrical and Electronic equipment (WEEE) and Batteries Regulations.  The WEEE and Batteries reforms will be UK wide and led by DEFRA. The aim will be to embed an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model that focuses on the responsibility of the producer for the impacts of their products. You will also support the development of longer term EPR schemes such as textiles. The role will provide an excellent opportunity to work with WG and DEFRA to reflect the needs of Wales and embed any new regulatory duties within NRW. 

You will  lead and direct the wider business through provision of professional specialist expertise advice and knowledge to shape/inform Government Policy, organisational approach for Wales and stakeholder agendas for their assigned sector(s)/ work area. Be responsible, lead on and provide technical expertise to the one or more of the following:

• Site based regulation (Environment Permitting Regulations including waste operations & installations, exemptions, Material Facilities Recycling, Mining Waste).
• Non-site based regulation (Definition of Waste/End of waste)
• Producer Responsibility regimes (Packaging, Batteries, WEEE).
• Hazardous Waste.
• Circular economy - working with others to promote sustainable management of natural resources.
• A Sector (Biowaste Treatment and use, Non-hazardous and inert, hazardous waste treatment and regulation, landfill, secondary metals and energy from waste).
• Landfill Allowance Scheme/Local authority recovery targets
• Policy approach and strategy for tackling waste crime
• Strategic approach to waste data evidence and analysis.

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 Helen Jenkins at Helen.Jenkins@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk

Interviews will take place through 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

The role sits within the Waste Regulatory Reform programme team which has been set up to support Welsh Government’s programme of legislative waste reforms and design and implement regulatory delivery models to ensure we are able to fulfil our new statutory duties. We work closely with the Waste Policy team and we sit within EPP’s Regulatory Policy and Approach group. 

What you will do

• Be the principal point of contact with the relevant UK and Welsh Trade Associations, Government Departments and environmental regulators, both UK and European, to share information and work together on the development of operational policy and new legislation, interpretation of relevant legislation, advice and guidance for the specific sector(s) and areas of responsibility.
• Maintain a detailed working knowledge of the assigned sector(s) / areas of responsibility identifying the implications of legislative, technology and market changes for Natural Resources Wales and the sector(s).
• Support the development of staff across NRW by applying technical, legislative and regulatory knowledge and experience.
• Contribute to the delivery of the team’s business plan, the directorate delivery plan and NRWs corporate plan.
• Ensure that continuous improvement methods are applied to work areas the team undertake.
• Develop, review and improve technical documentation, to enable consistent and appropriate understanding and application by staff in the business that enables effective service provision.
• Support on the mentoring and coaching of Advisors within the team to ensure that the team has sufficient technical and legislative resilience for your assigned area of work.
• 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.
• Required to take part in incident response activities.

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. You will have extensive experience of regulation and the strategic policy in the context of Wales for your assigned sector(s), preferably gained through substantial working knowledge.
2. Knowledge of Welsh, UK and EU legislation related to your specific sector(s); Welsh, UK government Policy drivers in your specific sector(s).
3. Experience in informing and influencing government departments/regulators, preferably on environmental issues.
4. Extensive experience in forming and maintaining close links with internal and external partners/stakeholders to deliver the outcomes of both a specific function/project/team and the wider organisation.
5. Experience of understanding and applying regulatory activities.
6. Be able to work at pace and have a track record of delivery.
7. Being innovative and demonstrating drive to achieve targets.
8. You will be expected to keep up to date with changing regulatory policy and proposed changes to legislation via membership of a relevant professional body or other equivalent means.
9. You will have a recognised professional/technical qualification or equivalent relevant experience

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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