Vacancy title
Marine Ecosystems and Biodiversity Policy Officer – Secondment or Loan
Closing date
20/03/2026, 16:00
Advertising basis
Loan, Secondment
Actual starting salary
HEO Pay Scale £37,111 to £45,378. For further clarity see 'Other vacancy related information'.
Salary range / pay band
HEO £37,111 to £45,378
Allowances
No
Work pattern
Full time (applications welcome from part time, job share or full time).
Duration
2 years
Group
Local Gov, Housing, Climate Change and Rural Affairs
Directorate
Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability
Branch
Marine Ecosystems and Biodiversity
Location(s)
Pan Wales
Purpose of post
The Marine Ecosystems and Biodiversity Branch within the Marine and Biodiversity Division are seeking a motivated individual with strong interpersonal skills along with the ability to work autonomously. Our Welsh seas are some of richest and most biologically diverse across Europe and are home to many habitats and species of national and international importance. To protect our species and habitats, Wales has a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPA’s) covering 69% of our inshore waters. The MPA’s also help us to achieve Good Environmental Status in our waters, through the UK Marine Strategy and support delivery of our Global Biodiversity Framework Commitments, particularly the 30x30 target. To support our response to the climate emergency, commitments to “Net Zero” and First Minister priorities, there is planned expansion off offshore renewable energy across Welsh seas, which is resulting in increasing spatial demands and impacts to the MPA network. There is a need to agree compensatory measures for any impacts/loss of habitats and species from the expansion of offshore renewables, and wider infrastructure, to ensure the coherence and resilience of our MPA’s. The main purpose of the role is work with, with Natural Resources Wales (NRW), UK Government departments and WG Marine Planning and Licensing team to speed up the consenting process for infrastructure development. This will include supporting the Offshore Wind Environmental Improvement Package (OWIEP) to expediate the deployment of offshore renewables, in addition to supporting wider derogations for e.g. port/flood defence developments. The post holder will work closely with NRW to identify and take forward potential suitable compensatory measures. The post holder will also support the wider work of the Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystems branch including supporting completion of the MPA network, delivery of Welsh Minister commitments to OSPAR and the UK Marine Strategy and Programme for Government commitments. The role will also require significant engagement with a range of WG cross policy areas including Energy, Fisheries and Transport (Ports) divisions. Additionally, the role will involve significant interaction with Cabinet Secretaries/Ministers and Special Advisors. The post holder will be supporting an SEO post and wider colleagues within the branch.
Key responsibilities
* Support strategic engagement with Natural Resources Wales (NRW), JNCC, and UK Government to identify and secure suitable compensation measures that support current and future infrastructure development needs.
* Collaborate across government and industry, working with DEFRA, DESNZ, The Crown Estate, and Welsh Government Marine Planning teams to deliver derogations and compensatory habitat requirements—accelerating offshore wind deployment and wider infrastructure projects.
* Lead on other priorities within the branch, working closely with colleagues across the division and wider including fisheries, water, flood and environmental policy.
* Manage day-to-day government business, ensuring timely delivery of priorities and commitments.
Development opportunities
* Work in a high-profile policy area that directly supports Programme for Government commitments and delivers Ministerial priorities on biodiversity and climate change.
* Gain significant experience in intergovernmental policy development and delivery, collaborating with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including Ministers.
* Join a high-performing, friendly, and inclusive team where your contributions will make a real impact.
* Benefit from excellent support and access to training, ensuring you have the tools and time to succeed in the role and achieve your personal development goals.
Other vacancy related information
In the event of a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the lead assessment criterion: Experience 1. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview.
In the event of two or more candidates having the same total score, the following list will be used to determine a merit order/which candidate will be appointed. Weighting the criteria - which candidate had the highest score for Experience Question 3, then 2, then 1.
* These temporary roles are available for a duration of 2 years, on a loan or secondment basis.
* A reserve list may be held for this opportunity. Any candidate who meets the required scoring and are successful in being offered a reserve status, will remain on the reserve list for 12 months and may be considered for comparable roles that may arise within the team.
* Successful candidates are expected to return to their substantive appointment at the end of this opportunity.
Eligibility Verification
Applicants will be assessed against the criteria below. Candidates who do not meet the eligibility requirements will be notified regarding the status of their application.
For Candidates Applying on a Secondment Basis
* You must obtain prior agreement from your employer to be released on secondment before applying. Please ensure you have line management approval.
* During the secondment, you will remain on the terms, conditions, and payroll of your home organisation.
* Inward secondees are not eligible for Welsh Government pay awards or rewards. Please see our candidate guidance for pay arrangements.
For Candidates Applying on a Loan Basis
* You must be an existing civil servant, appointed through fair and open competition, who has passed probation and been in your substantive post for at least 6 months at the time of application.
* This is a temporary post. At the end of the loan, you will return to your substantive grade and pay arrangements in your home organisation.
* Prior agreement from your employer to be released on loan must be obtained before applying. Please ensure you have line management approval.
* Successful candidates will have their financial position protected in line with Welsh Government pay policy (see candidate guidance for details).
* Loanees will move to Welsh Government’s pay scale for the HEO grade, salary will be based on basic pay only.
Vetting level
Basic
Number of posts
1
Contact point for further information regarding the post
MarineEcosystemsAndBiodiversity@gov.wales
Welsh language requirements
* Welsh language skills are not essential for this post, they are however desirable and will be considered if two or more candidates receive the same score at the application or interview stage.
* Understanding by reading: 0 - No skills
* Speaking and being understood: 0 - No skills
* Understanding by listening: 0 - No skills
* Writing and being understood: 0 - No skills
Selection Process And Stages Are
Evidence to provide: Experience questions.
Experience 1
Ability to analyse complex data and information and provide clear, evidence-based recommendations to senior managers.
Experience 2
Knowledge of marine protected areas and strategic compensation measures.
Experience 3
Ability to develop and deliver policy or evidence-based work.
Experience 4
Ability to work to challenging and competing deadlines.
Nationality Requirements
* UK nationals
* Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
* Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
* Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
* Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Secondments
Secondments are fixed term options for no more than two years, open to individuals not employed as a Civil Servant (this includes those employed by Non-Departmental Government Bodies). Sometimes posts are advertised as a secondment opportunity. If this is the case it will state it above. Secondees have different terms and conditions, please refer to the guidance pack before applying. Secondees are not entitled to the benefits listed below including those relating to Social Partnership.
Benefits and Pension
* Civil Service Pension Scheme
* 31 days annual leave (pro-rated for part time)
* Training and development opportunities
* Cycle2Work Scheme
* Smart Working flexible working arrangement
* Green Car Scheme (subject to availability)
Apply
All applications for this vacancy must be made using our online application system. Unless stated otherwise in the 'Other vacancy-related information for advert', the Welsh Government cannot offer Visa sponsorship. Welsh Government holds a Visa sponsorship licence, but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify. Applications are welcomed from people with a diverse range of lived and professional experiences. We are actively committed to becoming an increasingly diverse organisation which represents the diverse communities we serve. There are a number of Diversity networks that staff can participate in, which include the Disability Awareness and Support Staff Network; Minority Ethnic Staff Network; Mind Matters (Mental health and well-being); PRISM (LGBTI+), Women Together and the Neurodivergence Network. If you have an impairment which prevents you from applying online, please email our recruitment team. You can request an application pack in an alternative format or request a recruitment adjustment to help you submit your application.
Additional Information
Use the 'Apply' button to submit your application. You will be asked to register if you don't have an account or sign in if you do. Registration takes a few minutes and you will need an email address. You should check your Application Centre regularly for updates to your application. Please also check your spam/junk folder in case any communication regarding your application and/or assessment details finds its way there. Once you've registered for an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the online application form. You must complete this and submit it before the deadline on the closing date. We will not consider an incomplete application form. If you would like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the Change Language link on this page. We welcome applications in Welsh, and applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than applications submitted in English. Please see the candidate guidance for more information on the recruitment process. For information on Civil Service Success Profiles please click here.
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