Location
Central London

Hours
Full Time (hours not specified)

Salary
£41,132 per annum

About the Role
As a Specialist Advisor Terrestrial Ornithologist, you will provide expert advice on terrestrial birds to Natural Resources Wales’ (NRW) Development Planning Advice Service regarding planning casework. You will lead the development of guidance, tools, and best practices for terrestrial bird planning casework and engage with internal teams and external customers to deliver clear, practical advice to support decision making. Working within the Terrestrial Species Team alongside other technical specialists, you will advise on evidence needs and opportunities to promote bird conservation in Wales. This role supports NRW’s responses to development planning, including Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, and involves preparing technical guidance for diverse audiences and sectors.

The role supports flexible working with a hybrid pattern agreed upon appointment. Regular face-to-face meetings or training will be planned in advance. Interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams. Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

The Terrestrial Species Team is a multi-disciplinary group providing strategic and operational advice to protect and enhance biodiversity across Wales. The team shapes NRW’s environmental policy and strategy, focusing on terrestrial ecosystems, sustainable land, forestry, and woodland management. You will contribute to the development of technical guidance, policy positions, and strategic outcomes, working closely with teams across NRW to deliver impactful environmental action.

Key Responsibilities
- Provide terrestrial ornithological advice on planning applications, including complex and high-risk casework.
- Manage development of guidance, procedures, and tools to support NRW’s planning service.
- Prepare material to inform NRW, Welsh Government, and partner policies and statutory advice.
- Liaise with external stakeholders to ensure timely delivery of projects, policies, or strategies.
- Advise on evidence needs and project manage evidence projects.
- Lead customer engagement and act as the main point of contact.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, technology, and market changes affecting NRW and the sector.
- Contribute to task and finish groups and support team development.
- Undertake health and safety duties appropriate to the role.
- Participate in incident response activities.
- Commit to NRW’s Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy and personal development plans.

Experience
- Detailed knowledge of Welsh, UK, and EU legislation related to terrestrial ornithology and development planning.
- Strong understanding of Welsh, UK Government biodiversity policy drivers and related issues.
- Excellent knowledge and experience of Welsh terrestrial bird ecology, conservation, and mitigation/compensation approaches.
- Experience in technical analysis and interpretation of complex environmental data sets.
- Proven ability to communicate and negotiate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
- Experience working with statutory nature conservation bodies, local authorities, eNGOs, and public bodies.
- Good written and verbal communication skills, able to represent technical and strategic aspects to non-specialists.
- Experience preparing technical guidance for diverse audiences and sectors.

About You
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage and influence internal and external stakeholders.
- Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Ability to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team.
- Willingness to participate in incident response activities.
- Committed to ongoing professional development and personal growth.
- Welsh language skills at A1 entry level are desirable; NRW supports language learning during employment.

Qualifications
- A recognised qualification, degree, or equivalent experience relevant to biological or environmental science.
- Membership or working towards membership of a relevant professional institution.