Lead Uplands and Heathlands Specialist

Team / Directorate: Terrestrial Ecosystems Team / Evidence, Policy and Permitting

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: Permanent

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: 15 September 2025

Post number: 204016 (For office use only: M, GGL, ENV, GRJ)

The role

Take the lead in shaping the future of Wales’ upland and heathland landscapes. As NRW’s expert on upland and heathland ecosystems, you’ll spearhead the development of policy, strategic programmes, plans and guidance, to turn national ambitions into real-world impact. Your work will help translate Welsh and UK Government policy into ecologically robust, practical, on-the-ground approaches for nature recovery. Your expert ecological knowledge will make a critical contribution across areas including habitat management, site assessments, casework, and statutory reporting, for Wales’ uplands and heathlands.  

You’ll collaborate with colleagues across NRW’s Evidence, Policy and Permitting (EPP) and Operations teams, build strong relationships with Welsh Government officials, and work closely with partners and stakeholders across the sector. This is your chance to connect big-picture policy with real delivery—ensuring that Wales’s uplands and heathlands are protected, restored and resilient for generations to come.

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 Dr James Latham - james.latham@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk

Interviews will take place via 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

• Lead and project manage specific and complex issues that require development of NRW policies, strategies, plans, programmes, including casework that is novel, contentious or of high public interest.
• Provide advice to WG and other bodies in Wales and the UK as appropriate, and in-turn review and advise on the produced policy, plans and strategies.
• Retain ownership and oversight of the upland and heathland ecosystems policy area to ensure integrity of NRW approaches with Welsh Government, Central Government and EU Policy intent.
• Advise on evidence needs and opportunities, commission evidence and project manage agreed evidence projects, in line with the agreed evidence programme.
• Maintain a detailed working knowledge of the technical specialist areas identifying the implications of legislative, technology and market changes for Natural Resources Wales and the sector(s).
• 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 upland and heathland ecosystems.
• 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 biodiversity; Welsh, UK Government policy drivers in biodiversity; and the issues and opportunities in Wales.
2. Knowledge and practical understanding of the range of partners and stakeholders involved with biodiversity in Wales. 
3. Specialist technical knowledge related to upland and heathland ecosystems.
4. Experience of: In-depth understanding of the relevant technical specialist area and the complex range of drivers and barriers to delivery.
5. Working in a programme and project management environment with Project Management experience and/or qualifications. 
6. You will be a member of a relevant professional institution and/or working towards membership.
7. Representing the organisation in high profile and contentious issues in the public arena.
8. 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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