Location
Central London (with flexible and hybrid working arrangements; contracted to the nearest NRW office to your home)

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£45,367 per annum

About the Role
Are you passionate about protecting our most precious natural environments? This is a unique opportunity to lead transformative work improving water quality across Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in Wales. As the Lead Advisor for Water Quality Improvements, you will play a central role in delivering the SAC Nutrients Project. Working closely with the Project Manager and fellow workstream leads, you will help shape and implement innovative solutions to tackle nutrient pollution and drive forward nature-based interventions.

Your work will span nutrient neutrality and catchment-based approaches, coordination of Nutrient Management Boards, and the design and delivery of mitigation measures to enhance water quality in both riverine and marine SACs. You will ensure alignment with the Rivers and Marine components of the SAC Nutrients Programme, safeguarding NRW’s legal responsibilities under the Habitats Directive and the Water Framework Directive.

In this expert advisor role, you will develop and steer the Water Quality Improvements workstream, build on the foundations laid by the SAC Rivers Project to identify and implement effective interventions, and lead the creation of NRW’s policy, strategy, and guidance on nutrient management and water quality in SAC-designated sites.

This is a chance to make a lasting impact on Wales’ most ecologically valuable waters, working at the forefront of environmental protection and restoration. NRW supports flexible working, with suitable hybrid working patterns agreed upon appointment. Regular face-to-face meetings or training will be planned in advance.

This post is fixed term until 31 December 2026, with potential for extension or permanency, though this cannot be guaranteed. Interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams. Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

About Us
This role sits within the Water and Nature Projects Team in the Sustainable Water and Nature Group. You will collaborate with colleagues across NRW, Welsh Government, and other cross-sector partners at Welsh and UK levels to deliver this complex and high-profile programme. This new team is focused on delivering strategies addressing water quality issues in protected areas.

Experience
- Extensive technical knowledge and experience in river restoration principles and interventions that deliver water quality improvements and wider biodiversity benefits.
- Proven experience as a water quality expert operating at a national level.
- Successful partnership working across diverse sectors including water companies, landowners, recreation users, householders, local authorities, environmental NGOs, planners, and developers.
- Proven project management experience including contract and budget management and work programming.
- Experience with data management and Geographical Information Systems (desirable).

About You
- Excellent communicator with the ability to disseminate complex technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Strong interpersonal skills and a committed team worker.
- Ability to lead and develop advice and guidance for Nutrient Management Boards ensuring NRW’s legal duties under the Habitats and Water Framework Directives are met.
- Committed to health and safety responsibilities and equal opportunities and diversity policies.
- Willingness to engage in personal development and continuous learning.

Qualifications
- Welsh Language: Essential Level A1 (Entry level) Welsh language skills, with NRW providing support and learning opportunities to meet this requirement during employment.
- Relevant qualifications or demonstrable experience in water quality, environmental science, or related fields are expected.

Additional Information
- Commitment to Natural Resources Wales’ Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy.
- Ability to undertake any other reasonable duties commensurate with the role.
- Successful candidates will be subject to a satisfactory DBS check.