Lead Specialist Advisor, Waste Policy

The role

Are you passionate about protecting the environment and shaping how Wales manages its waste and resources? Do you enjoy turning policy into action and influencing positive change?

In this role, you will work at the forefront of waste policy, collaborating with Welsh Government, other UK government departments, and environmental regulators. You will play a key role in shaping and delivering hazardous waste policy, while also supporting frontline operational teams who regulate hazardous waste across Wales.

This role offers a rewarding mix of strategic influence and practical delivery. Your expertise will have a direct impact on protecting Wales’ environment and improving how waste and resources are managed now and in the future.

We are looking for someone who has:

• A background in chemistry or relevant knowledge of waste classification (essential)
• A good working knowledge or clear awareness of hazardous waste legislation relevant to Wales and the UK (essential)
• A demonstrable understanding of environmental regulation (desirable).

If you are proactive, collaborative, and motivated to make a meaningful environmental impact, this could be the ideal opportunity for you.

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.

Candidates are encouraged to contact Louise Peel on louise.peel@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk before submitting an application. 

The assessment process for this role will consist of two interview stages, both of which will be conducted via Microsoft Teams.

• Stage one will be an experience-based interview taking place on week commencing 13th May 2026, focusing on your professional experience.
• Stage two will be a competency-based interview taking place on week commencing 20th May 2026, assessing your knowledge, skills and behaviours for the role.

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

About us

The role of the Waste Policy Team within Natural Resources Wales is to lead evidence-based strategy and advice for waste and resources across all directorates and regulatory activities within NRW. We advise the Welsh Government and work with others to promote a move towards circular economy by minimising waste produced, maximising reuse and recovery, and ensuring that there is a sustainable and appropriate end uses for this material. We support the implementation of Welsh Government's Beyond Recycling and Towards Zero Waste strategies and contribute towards NRW's corporate well-being objectives.

What you will do

• Be the principle point of contact with the relevant UK and Welsh Trade Associations, Government Departments and environmental regulators, both UK and European, to share information and work together on the development of operational policy and new legislation, interpretation of relevant legislation, advice and guidance for the specific sector(s) and areas of responsibility.
• Maintain a detailed working knowledge of the assigned sector(s) identifying the implications of legislative, technology and market changes for Natural Resources Wales and the sector(s).
• Support the development and training of staff across NRW by applying technical, legislative and regulatory knowledge and experience.
• Lead and project manage specific and complex issues inc. commissions by RBB) to enable consistent and appropriate understanding and application by staff that enables effective regulatory service provision.
• Contribute to the delivery of the team’s business plan, the directorate delivery plan and NRWs corporate plan.
• Support the mentoring and coaching of Advisors within the team to ensure that the team has sufficient technical and legislative resilience for your assigned area of work.
• Advise on evidence needs and opportunities, commission evidence & project manage evidence projects, in line with the agreed evidence programme.                                               
• Design monitoring and evaluation frameworks of regulation interventions to inform assessment of the need for improvements in regulation and permitting processes by NRW.
• 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).
• Required to take part in incident response activities.
• 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 related to your specific sector(s) Welsh, UK government Policy drivers in your specific sector(s).
2. Experience in informing and influencing government departments/regulators, preferably on environmental issues.
3. Extensive experience in forming and maintaining close links with internal and external partners/stakeholders to deliver the outcomes of both a specific function/project/team and the wider organisation.
4. Experience of understanding and applying regulatory activities, in line with our regulatory principles.
5. Be able to work at pace and have a track record of delivery.
6. Being innovative and demonstrating drive to achieve targets.
7. You will be expected to keep up to date with changing regulatory policy and proposed changes to legislation via membership of a relevant professional body or other equivalent means.

Welsh Language level requirements 

• Essential: 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.