Specialist Data & GIS Advisor, NaCE

Lead strategic, high-impact programmes of data analysis, validation, and evidence synthesis—leveraging GIS and other advanced platforms—to drive and deliver NRW’s Nature and Climate Emergencies (NaCE) Programme. Your work will produce robust, quality-assured analytical outputs that shape national reports and key indicators. Collaborating with technical experts across the organisation and partnering with stakeholders and monitoring bodies, you’ll turn complex data into actionable insights that inform decisions for nature and climate resilience.

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.

To make an informal enquiry about this role, please contact Richard Waggett at [email protected]

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.

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: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

What you will do

• Carry out complex data analysis, evidence synthesis, and interpretation using GIS and other platforms to inform and influence a strategic direction for monitoring Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) restoration programmes in Wales, and to provide quality-assured outputs for inclusion in national environmental reports and indicators including NNP specific datasets as well as SoNaRR, WFD and Habitats Directive Article 17.
• Commission and manage complex technical projects across a broad range of environmental themes relevant to the sustainable management of habitats, working with specialists and technical staff from across the organisation, and with external contractors and partners.
• Validate key data sets to ensure that the quality of NRW’s data is fit for its intended use.
• Interact with a range of government, agency and partner bodies working on analytical projects relating to monitoring and environmental reporting at Wales and UK levels.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance on monitoring analysis to staff across the business.
• Contribute to the development of new and innovative monitoring and analytical methods to drive forward efficiency and improvements to NRW’s monitoring and environmental reporting.
• Mentor less experienced colleagues within your team.
• Undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post.
• Be committed to Natural Resources Wales Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy, together with an understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the post.
• Be committed to your own development through the effective use of your personal development plan (known as Sgwrs).
• Any other reasonable duties requested 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.

1. You will have significant experience and knowledge in one or more areas of data analysis, evidence synthesis, and data management, and a sound understanding of statistical methods and use of statistical and spatial analysis applications (including R and ESRI).
2. Significant experience of using Geographical Information Systems.
3. You will have previous experience of leading and managing technical projects.
4. You will be a good communicator.
5. You will have well-developed problem-solving skills, with the ability to extract key information and present this in a clear and concise manner to a range of audiences and in both written and oral forms.

Welsh Language level requirements

• Essential: Level A1 – Entry level

Welsh language levels

Please note if you do not meet the A1 requirement i.e., ability to understand basic phrases and ability to pronounce Welsh names correctly, then NRW offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Benefits

This role will offer a range of benefits, including:

• Civil Service Pension Scheme offering employer contributions of 28.97% (successful internal staff will remain in their current pension scheme)
• 28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days
• generous leave entitlements for all your life needs
• commitment to professional development
• health and wellbeing benefits and support
• weekly wellbeing hour to use as you choose

See full details for all the employee benefits you will receive.

Please keep reading

We’re passionate about creating a diverse workforce and positively encourage applications from under-represented communities. We embrace equality of opportunity irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

We are committed to equal opportunities, and we guarantee interviews for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

We want to attract and retain talented and highly skilled staff, so we make sure that our pay scales remain competitive. We advertise the full pay scale on our job descriptions. Appointed candidates start at the first point of the pay scale and annual increments are paid each year.

We want our staff to grow professionally and personally. From leadership development to access to further and higher education courses, our staff have opportunities to expand their knowledge on variety of topics, stay current in their field and continue to learn as their career progresses.

We are a Bilingual organisation which complies with the Welsh Language Standards. Welsh language skills are considered an asset to NRW, and we encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills.