Location
Central London (with flexible and hybrid working arrangements)

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£41,132 per annum

About the Role
As a Specialist Advisor for Terrestrial Species, you will lead the development of guidance, tools, and best practices for terrestrial protected species planning casework. You will support Natural Resources Wales’ (NRW) Protected Species Team by providing expert advice on terrestrial protected species related to planning applications, including Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. This role focuses on mammals, reptiles, and amphibians and involves close collaboration with NRW’s terrestrial mammals and herptile specialists to advise on evidence needs and promote species conservation across Wales.

You will engage with internal teams and external stakeholders to deliver clear, practical advice that supports decision-making. The role sits within the Terrestrial Species Team, a multi-disciplinary group providing strategic and operational advice to protect and enhance biodiversity in Wales. You will contribute to shaping NRW’s environmental policy and strategy, developing technical guidance, and working closely with teams across NRW and external partners.

NRW supports flexible working, and you will be contracted to the nearest NRW office to your home with an agreed hybrid working pattern. Regular face-to-face meetings or training will be planned in advance.

Key responsibilities include managing the development of guidance and tools to support NRW’s planning service, providing terrestrial protected species advice on planning applications, preparing material to inform policy and statutory advice, liaising with Welsh Government and other partners, advising on evidence needs and managing evidence projects, and maintaining up-to-date knowledge of legislative and sector changes. You will also contribute to task and finish groups, support personal development planning, undertake health and safety duties, and participate in incident response activities.

Experience
- Detailed knowledge of Welsh, UK, and EU legislation related to terrestrial protected species and development planning.
- Understanding of Welsh and UK Government biodiversity policy drivers and relevant issues in Wales.
- Proven experience in ecology and conservation of Welsh protected species, especially mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
- Experience in mitigation and compensation approaches for development planning.
- Ability to analyse and interpret complex environmental data and large datasets.
- Experience working with statutory nature conservation bodies, local authorities, environmental NGOs, and public bodies.
- Strong communication and negotiation skills with stakeholders at all levels.
- Experience preparing technical guidance for diverse audiences and sectors.

About you
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to represent technical and strategic aspects of protected species work clearly and effectively to non-specialists.
- Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams and with external partners.
- Commitment to equal opportunities and diversity.
- Willingness to engage in personal development and continuous learning.
- Ability to participate in incident response activities.
- Welsh language skills at A1 entry level are desirable; NRW supports staff in developing Welsh language proficiency.

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