Water Planning Advisor

Team / Directorate: Integrated Water Planning / Evidence, Policy & Permitting

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

Contract type: Fixed Term appointment until 31/03/2027

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: Week commencing 25 August 2025

Post number: 203980 (For office use only: M, GGL, ENV, GRJ)

The role

Do you have a passion for sustainable water management and influencing environmental policy? We’re looking for a motivated and knowledgeable individual to join our team as a Water Planning Advisor.

You will be part of a team of 12 across Wales focussed an a diverse range of work including Water Framework Directive Regulations (WFDR) River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs), the National Environment Programme (NEP) part of Ofwat’s Price Review (PR) process, Nature and Climate Emergency (NACE) fund, chemicals and hydromorphology. 

The role is focussed on supporting work to implement changes from legislative reviews including the Upper Costa Beck and Independent Water Commission to bring together planning for water across Wales and then actions to address impacts. There will also be opportunities to contribute to the team’s other work areas, giving you an opportunity to diversify your knowledge and experience. You will lead the preparation of technical assessments and provide expert advice on water planning. Your work will play a key role in shaping policies, programmes, plans, strategies, and guidance developed by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and the Welsh Government on water-related issues.

This is an exciting time in this work area with focus on continued delivery of major projects including cycle 4 RBMPs and PR29, plus understanding and implementing the changes required by new Policy and legislation. 

About us

Sitting in Environment, Policy and Permitting this post is part of the Water and Nature Group. You’ll collaborate with colleagues across the Sustainable Water and Nature teams, liaise with operational staff, and engage directly with stakeholders to ensure water planning is evidence-based, forward-looking, and effectively delivered.

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.

There may be the potential for this appointment to be extended or become a permanent position at a later date, however this cannot be guaranteed.

To make an informal enquiry about this role, please contact Ruth Johnston at ruth.johnston@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk

Interviews will take place through Microsoft Teams 

Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) check. Appointments are normally made within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date. 

What you will do

• Prepare technical assessments, drawing on a range of information and data sources.
• Support the preparation of material to inform the development of NRW, WG and other Partners policy, statutory advice and guidance documents;  Prepare the development of procedures, tools and guidance and lead the delivery of new ways of working.
• Provide regular accurate information to managers on progress, to adapt and ensure delivery of work to time and cost.
• Liaise with relevant NRW staff regarding interactions between Water Resources and other functions to ensure the timely and effective delivery of project, policy or strategy obligations.
• Project manage small evidence projects, in line with the agreed evidence programme;
• Support engagement with sectors, partners, WG, Ofwat and other Water Environment bodies in Wales and the UK; and be a primary point of contact for customer queries.
• Contribute to task and finish groups, commissioned through the Business Boards, to prepare defined products 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. Knowledge of: Welsh, UK and EU legislation related to Water Resources; Welsh, UK Government policy drivers in in the WG Water Strategy; and the issues and opportunities in Wales.
2. Experience of technical analysis and interpreting a range of environmental information and data; analysing large data sets using spreadsheet based tools.
3. Competence in a range of IT software, specifically Geographic Information Systems and the suite of industry/business standard software.
4. Working with/in water companies, water focussed bodies and industries, local authorities, eNGOs, National Parks.
5. Working in a programme and project management environment with Project Management experience and/or qualifications. 
6. You will be a member of CIWEM or another relevant professional institution and/or working towards membership.
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

We’re passionate about creating a diverse workforce and positively encourage applications from under-represented communities. We embrace equality of opportunity irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.  

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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