Lead Marine Fish Advisor

Lead Marine Fish Advisor

Closing Date: 27/08/2025

Salary: Grade 7: £45,367 - £50,877

Location: Flexible

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: 9&10/09/2025

Post number: 204011

The role

As Lead Specialist Advisor - Marine Species (Fish) you will be a skilled and motivated specialist, able to provide expert, evidence-based advice on marine, estuarine and diadromous fish. Providing expert advice to colleagues across Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and to external partners, covering a varied range of topics, including fish biodiversity and the potential impacts of marine energy developments.

You will ensure that our advice is evidence based, look for ways to improve our evidence base and manage evidence projects. You will also write and contribute to guidance for staff and developers. Crucially, you'll help shape the strategic direction of NRW's work in this field, playing a key role in protecting Wales' aquatic environments.

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.

What you will do

• Lead and project manage specific and complex issues that require development of NRW policies, strategies, plans, programmes and guidance including support on casework that is novel, contentious or of high public interest.
• Provide statutory advice to WG and other bodies in Wales as well as UK government departments with reserved marine responsibilities, and in-turn review and advise on the produced policy, plans and strategies.
• Retain ownership and oversight of assigned marine species policy area to ensure integrity of NRW approaches with Welsh Government, UK Government and International Policy intent.
• Advise on evidence needs and opportunities, commission evidence and project manage evidence projects, in line with the agreed evidence programme.
• Create and advise on guidance for NRW staff and external stakeholders.
• Maintain a detailed working knowledge of assigned marine species (marine, estuarine and diadromous fish) identifying the implications of legislative, technology and market changes for Natural Resources Wales and the sector(s).
• Provide specialist advice to relevant NRW Programme Boards and contribute to the delivery of NRW's Marine Programme.
• Steer the overview and ownership of engagement with Welsh Government on the specific policy areas related to assigned marine species.
• 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).

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 other legislation related to Marine Species; Welsh & UK Governments & other policy drivers on marine issues; and the issues and opportunities in Wales.
2. Specialist technical knowledge and experience related to marine, estuarine and diadromous fish.
3. Knowledge and practical understanding of how to overcome the complex priorities, drivers and barriers faced by NRW, partners and stakeholders involved in delivering marine and coastal ecosystems outcomes in Wales, with particular reference to marine, estuarine and diadromous fish.
4. Experience of delivering evidence and guidance projects or programmes relevant to marine, estuarine and diadromous fish.
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.