Lead Water Resources Specialist

Lead Water Resources Specialist

Role :

Location: Flexible

Grade/Salary range: 7: £47,055 - £52,770

Working pattern: Full time

Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment (FTA)

Contract end date: 31/03/2027

Closing date: 08/03/2026

The role

Do you have knowledge and experience in water resources? Do you enjoy project work and engaging with various technical specialists across teams and with stakeholders? If so, we have the job for you!

As a Lead Specialist Advisor, you will be the lead Senior User on the Water resources availability model ICT project. This model will enable us to assess water availability for the environment and abstractors now and in the future to improve our evidence base for water resources. The model will enable us to make evidence-based decisions to sustainably manage and regulate water abstraction and impoundments.

You will co-ordinate and work with the other Senior Users on the project to represent the interests of users across the organisation who will use the model or benefit from the project's products and deliverables. You will engage with technical specialists to agree requirements and ensure those requirements are met. The role will also be responsible for testing the product and lead the production of appropriate guidance and training, so that staff can use the model easily and effectively from the point of implementation.

The role will involve working closely with the ICT project team and the consultants providing support to the project and will liaise between the project team and the users. The role will also work with regulators including the Environment Agency to agree arrangements for the cross border river catchments and with external stakeholders including water companies who will also make use of the model outputs.

The post will need to contribute to identifying project risks and actions to mitigate those risks.

We are looking for a person with good knowledge and experience in water resources, in particular in water resources availability assessments.

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.

This is a fixed term role until 31 March 2027 with the possibility of extension.

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.

This role meets the criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. Natural Resources Wales welcomes applications from non-UK citizens who are eligible to apply under this route, subject to confirmation by the Home Office.

Please note that while we may be able to support the Certificate of Sponsorship required for a visa application, the organisation does not cover the cost of the visa itself, including any associated fees for dependants.

The applicant must still meet the UK Skilled Worker Visa Eligibility and Requirement. For further information, please visit: .

About us

This role is part of the Water Resources Team in the Strategy, Policy and Evidence Directorate. This team leads on NRW policy for the regulation of water abstractions and impounding water, water company water resources planning, drought planning and wider water resources management. We work with a range of external stakeholders, including regulators and water companies and are advisors to the Welsh Government on water resources matters.

We are looking for a team member to help us make a positive difference to sustainably managing water resources.

What you will do

• Lead and project manage specific and complex issues that require development of NRW policies, strategies, plans, programmes including support on casework that is novel, contentious or of high public interest.
• Provide statutory advice to WG and other bodies in Wales and the UK as appropriate, and in-turn review and advise on the produced policy, plans and strategies.
• Retain ownership and oversight of Water Resources policy area to ensure integrity of NRW approaches with Welsh Government,…