Specialist Monitoring Analysis and Data Improvement Advisor

The role

Are you passionate about improving data quality and driving smarter insights? We are looking for a motivated and skilled individual to join our team and contribute to a range of data improvement initiatives that enhance both the depth and accessibility of our water quality data.

In this role, you will play a key part in expanding our data capabilities by introducing new data types through reproducible and automated processes, improving existing datasets, and streamlining workflows by reducing manual handling wherever possible. You will collaborate closely with colleagues across our Swansea and Cardiff teams in a flexible hybrid working environment.

Reporting to the Team Lead for Monitoring Analysis, this full-time position offers an excellent opportunity to develop your skills and gain valuable experience. While prior experience with water quality data would be advantageous, it is not essential. What matters most is your enthusiasm for data and continuous improvement.

This post is fixed term until 31/03/2027 with the possibility of extension or permanency.

As an organisation we support flexible working. You will be contracted to an NRW office within the place base / location above 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 Jenny Hoyle at jenny.hoyle@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk  

Interviews will take place through Microsoft Teams.

About us

The Monitoring Analysis team at Natural Resources Wales brings together a diverse group of data analysts, data scientists, database administrators and remote sensing specialists. We work collaboratively to solve complex data challenges and provide expert insight across the organisation.

Our work spans advising on monitoring strategies and ensuring the statistical robustness of environmental monitoring, as well as providing expertise in remote sensing. We partner closely with colleagues and specialists throughout Natural Resources Wales to support statutory reporting and deliver bespoke data-driven projects.

A key part of our work is the management and ongoing development of the all-Wales water quality and water body ecology database, ensuring it remains a trusted, high-quality resource for decision-making and environmental stewardship.

What you will do

• Carry out complex data analysis and implement automated, reproducible analytical workflows to quality assure and analyse data from NRW's environmental monitoring programmes.
• Develop new and innovative analytical and monitoring methods to increase the efficiency, data quality and evidence value of NRW's monitoring and environmental reporting.
• Undertake technical research and evaluation activities to identify emerging methodologies, tools and best practice, producing evidence-based recommendations, guidance and technical documentation to support organisational decision making.
• Manage complex technical projects across a broad range of environmental themes, working with specialists and technical staff from across the organisation, and with external contractors and partners, ensuring delivery to agreed timescales, quality standards and budget requirements.
• Contribute specialist evidence, analysis and technical expertise to the development and implementation of organisational strategy, policy and guidance relating to environmental monitoring, data quality and analytical workflows. 
• Interact with a range of government, agency and partner bodies working on analytical projects and best practice relating to monitoring and environmental reporting at Wales and UK levels.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance on monitoring analysis to staff across the organisation and contribute to strategy, policy and guidance documents relevant to reproducible analytical pipelines.
• Support the procurement and management of specialist services, software, data products and contracts, reviewing technical specifications and documentation to ensure value for money and compliance with organisational requirements.
• Mentor less experienced colleagues within your team and support the development of analytical capability across the organisation.
• 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, statistical modelling, and data validation, and a sound understanding of reproducible analytical pipelines and relevant software applications (such as R, Python, Git, AzureDevOps, GitHub, MSFabric, FME Flow).
2. You will have previous experience of leading and managing technical projects.
3. You will be a good communicator, with the ability to tailor the presentation of both technical and strategic aspects effectively to audiences with different levels of technical knowledge.
4. 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.

Additional Information

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.

Natural Resources Wales is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. Although we hold a Skilled Worker visa sponsorship licence, it applies only to specific roles that meet both the eligibility criteria and salary requirements set out by the UK Government under the Skilled Worker visa route. 

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.