Specialist Marine Management Officer

Team / Directorate: Marine Projects / Operations

Starting salary:  £41,132 rising to £44,988 per annum through annual increments being paid each year (pro rata for part time applicants)

Contract type:  Fixed Term appointment until 31/03/2026 with possibility of extension

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: 203884

The role

We are looking for someone who wants to make a difference to marine protected areas through specific projects aimed at improving the condition of our sites. Initially this role will work on a project to improve the condition of the North Gower saltmarsh and water quality in the Burry Inlet catchment. It will involve working with graziers and other stakeholders to implement measures which will lead to improved condition on the saltmarsh, which is currently in unfavourable condition due to overgrazing. The role will also look at measures to improve water quality in the wider catchment area, working with farmers and other landowners to implement solutions such as fencing and tree planting to reduce the amount of nutrients reaching the estuary. The project is currently planned for five years and funding has been secured for the first year. Following the completion of this project project, this role may continue as a similar project or may change into a different marine management project role, depending on new priorities to protect the marine environment.

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 Lily Pauls at lily.pauls@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

Natural Resources Wales has been putting in place an exciting new programme of marine work with support from Welsh Government’s Nature Networks Programme. The aim of the programme is to deliver projects that build resilient ecological networks across Wales, focussing on improving the condition of protected sites. NRW will deliver a suite of projects focussed on Welsh coasts and seas.. In addition, we will be undertaking feasibility and evidence work that will help us to put in place better management for our coasts and seas in the future.
In this role, you will sit within the Marine Projects Team and work closely with a range of technical specialists in NRW, and partners and stakeholders across Wales.

What you will do

• Lead on the provision of specialist advice on marine management issues in specific geographic areas of Wales.
• Lead on the preparation of material to inform the development of NRW, WG and other Partners policy, statutory advice and guidance documents.  Lead on the development of procedures, tools and guidance and lead the delivery of new ways of working.
• Quality assure, interpret and advise on external and internal reports/assessments.
• Advise on evidence gaps and project manage agreed 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.
• Maintain knowledge of Marine Ecology and assigned sector(s) identifying the implications of policy, legislative, technology and market changes for Welsh Government, Natural Resources Wales and the sector
• Develop and maintain effective stakeholder relationships and engagement, including liaison and partnership working, including with Welsh Government. 
• Influence and contribute to the development and delivery of NRW Marine Service Plan and Marine Programme, and other relevant NRW policy, strategy and process, working collaboratively with EPP colleagues.
• Provide expert technical and operational advice to the development of corporate standards/process and guidance.
• Cooperation with and provision of advice to local teams on designated sites with coastal fringe.
• Work collaboratively with the marine All-Wales Advice Team and Marine Monitoring, Assessment and Reporting Team, delivering some aspects of monitoring, analysis and reporting activities relevant to geographic areas/sites.
• Mentor and coach other members of the team and colleagues as required.
• 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.    Substantial marine or other relevant technical skills and experience.
2.    Significant knowledge of marine legislative requirements particularly marine conservation.
3.    Good knowledge and experience of marine or other relevant monitoring and analysis methods.
4.    Experience of technical analysis and interpreting a range of environmental information and data.
5.    Good evidence analysis and interpretation skills, report critiquing and writing skills.
6.    Good understanding of the marine and coastal development sector.
7.    Strong Influencing skills and ability to communicate, negotiate and collaborate effectively both internally         and externally at senior levels.
8.    Project management/project coordination skills.
9.    Marine management experience
10.  Experience of contract management

Welsh language level requirements

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