Team / Directorate: Planning, Landscape and Energy Team/Evidence, Policy & 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: To be confirmed

Post number: 203906

The role

Are you ready to influence the future of energy and decarbonisation in Wales? We're looking for an experienced and forward-thinking professional to take a leading role in shaping how Natural Resources Wales (NRW) supports the transition to a low-carbon energy system.

As our Lead Energy & Decarbonisation Advisor , you'll provide expert advice to the Welsh and UK Governments on energy policies, strategies, and plans. You'll lead the development and delivery of NRW's energy work programme - translating national ambitions into practical, environmentally informed guidance and strategic action.

You'll collaborate closely with internal teams across regulation, policy, and operations, and play a key role in maintaining strong relationships with government, regulators, and the wider energy sector. Your work will ensure that the development of Wales' energy infrastructure supports decarbonisation while protecting our natural resources.

Key Responsibilities Include

Providing strategic advice on energy and decarbonisation policy to government and stakeholders.
Leading the design and delivery of NRW's energy-related programmes, policies and guidance.
Translating national energy policy into operational tools and strategic direction for NRW.
Engaging with senior officials and industry to influence energy decision-making.
Supporting cross-functional collaboration within NRW to align regulatory and advisory functions.

This is a fantastic opportunity to lead the environmental voice in Wales' energy transition and contribute to national action on climate change. If you're motivated by big-picture impact, collaborative working, and meaningful policy influence - this role is for you.

To make an informal enquiry about this role, please contact Adrian James at Adrian.james@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk .

Interviews will be confirmed at a later date.

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.

What you will do

Lead and project manage specific and complex issues that require development of NRW policies, strategies, plans, programmes including support on casework that is novel, contentious or of high public interest.
Lead the development of Guidance for NRW staff and for sectors/partners.
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 ofthe Energy and Decarbonisation policy area to ensure integrity of NRW approaches with Welsh Government, Central Government and EU Policy intent.
Prepare compelling cases for change to NRW policy and role of alternative interventions.
Advise on evidence needs and opportunities, commission evidence & project manage evidence projects, in line with the agreed evidence programme.
Commission engagement plans and training to support roll out of outputs to NRW staff and partners/sectors.
Commission monitoring and evaluation of interventions to inform assessment of the need for change in approach by NRW and/or WG.
Maintain a detailed working knowledge of the assigned sector(s) 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 Energy, decarbonisation and climate change.
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 .

In-depth knowledge of Welsh, UK and EU policy and legislation relating to energy, decarbonisation and climate change. This includes familiarity with relevant Welsh and UK Government strategies and an understanding of how these can be integrated into broader plans, strategies and delivery frameworks within Wales.
Strong understanding of the key partners and stakeholders involved in the energy sector in Wales, with the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments.
Demonstrable experience and expertise in one or more of the following areas: renewable energy, energy minerals (oil, gas and coal), unconventional oil and gas, national grid and distributed generation, and decarbonisation and climate change. This should include awareness of the associated drivers and barriers to delivery.
Proven experience working in a programme and project management environment, with project management qualifications and/or formal training considered an advantage.
Membership of a relevant professional institution, or actively working towards professional accreditation.
Experience representing an organisation on high-profile and potentially contentious issues in public or stakeholder forums, with confidence in managing challenging discussions.
Ability and willingness to share knowledge and expertise to support problem solving across the organisation, contributing to the wider objectives of EPP and supporting Heads of Business 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

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.

Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru / Natural Resources Wales

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