National Peatland Action Programme Team Leader

Team / Directorate: National Peatland Action Programme / Operations

Starting salary:  £45,367 rising to £50,877 per annum through annual increments being paid each year (pro rata for part time applicants)

Contract type: Permanent 

Work pattern: Full time, 37 hours per week (Part time, annualised hours, compressed hours or term time working considered - discussions at interview stage welcome)

Interview date: To be confirmed

Post number: 203785

The role

We are seeking an experienced professional to lead a dedicated team in the restoration and management of peatlands, as part of the National Peatland Action Programme (NPAP) for Wales. 

As the Team Leader, you will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of peatland restoration projects, working with the wider NPAP team, Natural Resources Wales (NRW), and a wide range of external stakeholders.

You will lead your team in utilising a variety of funding mechanisms, including Land Management Agreements, Procurement, and Grants, to effectively restore and manage peatland areas across Wales.

You will ensure delivery of the project objectives and targets and report progress according to agreed milestones.  You will ensure good governance, including strict adherence to NRWs procurement, operational, and health and safety practices as well all the requirements of the NPAP programme.

This role offers the opportunity to play a leading part in the conservation and management of vital peatland ecosystems in Wales. You will be instrumental in shaping the future direction of peatland restoration efforts, contributing significantly to the sustainability of these important habitats.

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 Mannon Lewis Mannon.Lewis@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk 

Interviews will take place through Microsoft Teams 
Vetting checks may be required depending on the role. Appointments are normally made within 4 to 6 weeks of the closing date.

 

What you will do

• Lead the team effectively and manage the staff and budget resource to ensure project objectives and targets are met. 
• Line manage up to 10 staff delivering peatland restoration action.
• Work collaboratively with other NPAP teams to deliver cohesive and strategic action on peatlands in Wales.
• Work collaboratively with other NRW teams.
• Engage and collaborate with relevant stakeholders.
• In collaboration with the NPAP management team develop, maintain and deliver a detailed implementation plan, (incorporating the Area Statement priorities in Place). 
• Monitor progress against the plan and undertake regular reviews to ensure full delivery of the project within the project timeframe.
• Provide strong and effective advocacy for peatland restoration and its societal benefits within the project area. 
• 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 *and that of your staff 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. Knowledge of: Welsh, UK and EU legislation regulatory and permitting mechanisms, policy drivers and practices related to biodiversity, and the management of large-scale groundworks projects.
2. A recognised qualification, degree or equivalent experience.
3. Experience of line management.
4. Project management experience, including budget management, work programming and delivery of groundworks projects.  
5. Knowledge and practical understanding of peatland restoration techniques and their application in specific contexts.
6. Experience and knowledge of the range of peatland habitats in Wales and the causes and symptoms of ecosystem degradation.
7. Proven experience of partnership working and working with landowners and managers.
8. Knowledge of commissioning and managing groundworks projects, including the production of technical specifications, contractor management and the use of CDM regulations. 
9. Understanding of Welsh livestock farming and farming communities 
10. Good team working and communication skills. 
11. Ability to write clear, concise technical reports. 
12. The ability to currently and legally drive a car in the UK. 

 

Welsh language level requirements

• Essential: C1 - Proficiency level (fluent Welsh speaker)

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

If you think you have what it takes to do this role, but don’t necessarily meet every single point on the job description, please still get in touch and we will be happy to discuss the role with you in more detail.

We’re passionate about creating a diverse workforce and positively encourage applications from under-represented communities. We embrace equality of opportunity irrespective of disability, neurodivergence, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, gender expression and gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, culture, or religion.   We put the principles of human rights, equality, fairness, dignity and respect at the heart of our values.

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. 

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