Overview
Closing Date: 4 September 2025
Location: Flexible
Team / Directorate: Habitats and Species / Evidence, Policy and Permitting
Starting salary: £45,367 rising to £50,877 per annum through annual increments (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: (For office use only: M, GGL, ENV, GRJ)
The role
Join us in shaping the future of Wales' peatlands as part of Natural Resources Wales' (NRW) exciting National Peatland Action Programme (NPAP), funded by the Welsh Government. This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in a high-profile, cross-functional team that sits within both NRW's Environment, Planning and Place (EPP) and Strategic Projects directorates.
As our peatland evidence lead, you'll be at the heart of efforts to protect, sustainably manage, and restore one of Wales' most important natural resources. You'll ensure our work is driven by the latest science and research - and that, in turn, our projects help shape the growing evidence base for peatland conservation. In this role, you'll provide expert technical advice and lead on the development, commissioning, and management of evidence-based projects. You'll collaborate with a wide range of partners including universities, research institutions, UK conservation agencies, and Welsh Government officials. Working across NRW's teams, you'll help embed robust, up-to-date peatland evidence into decision-making at every level. If you're passionate about using science to drive real-world environmental impact, this is your chance to make a difference on a national scale.
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.
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
* Contribute to the ongoing development of the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Resilience and NPAP evidence programmes.
* Lead and collaborate with the senior specialist advisor peatlands and others across the organisation on the development and commissioning of work to address NPAP evidence needs.
* Manage NPAPs peatland evidence budget.
* Contribute and in some cases lead Welsh Government (WG) evidence commissions relevant to peatlands.
* Provide advice to WG and other bodies in Wales and the UK as appropriate.
* Lead on developing relationships with external evidence providers.
* Lead and project manage the development of joint projects with external evidence providers.
* Ensure liaison with and adherence to NRW evidence team standards.
* Ensure technical NPAP outputs are reported appropriately (e.g. publication of Evidence Reports).
* Interpret and report on environmental data, turning it into evidence and disseminating complex technical information to a range of audiences.
* Work closely with other NRW specialists in NPAP, terrestrial ecosystem and species specialists, water quality and flood risk evidence, and the Strategic Evidence Group.
* Retain ownership and maintain a detailed working knowledge of peatland evidence areas, identifying implications of legislative and technological advances.
* Contribute to task and finish groups to prepare defined products as required.
* Undertake health and safety duties appropriate to the post.
* Commit to NRW Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy and to your own development through your personal development plan (Sgwrs).
* Any other reasonable duties 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.
* Knowledge of Welsh, UK and EU biodiversity legislation; Welsh and UK Government biodiversity policy drivers; and issues and opportunities in Wales.
* Knowledge and practical understanding of partners and stakeholders involved with biodiversity in Wales. Technical knowledge in habitats, mammals, birds, invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians, higher and lower plants.
* Experience of undertaking or commissioning evidence projects relevant to peatlands or peatland ecosystems.
* In-depth understanding of the relevant technical specialist area and the drivers and barriers to delivery.
* Experience in a programme and project management environment with project management experience or qualifications.
* Membership in a relevant professional institution or working towards membership.
* Ability to represent the organisation in high-profile and contentious public issues.
* Willingness to share knowledge to help solve problems and support Heads of Business in EPP as required.
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