Overview

To lead on the provision of Marine Ecological technical and specialist advice and knowledge to shape and inform the outputs of the Assessing Welsh Aquaculture Activities Project. You will work with colleagues from other teams in EPP and Operations, officials from Welsh Government and sector representatives.

The post holder will:

• Critically appraise technical assessments, drawing on a range of complex information and data in relation to aquaculture impacts on marine and coastal species and habitats.
• Manage the preparation of material to inform the development of Assessing Welsh Aquaculture Activities Project assessment outputs. Manage the development of procedures, tools and guidance and lead the delivery of new ways of working.
• Liaise with external stakeholders such as Welsh Government, sector representatives and partners to ensure the timely and effective delivery of project, policy or strategy obligations.
• Advise on evidence gaps and project manage agreed evidence projects, in line with the agreed evidence programme.
• Support engagement with sectors, partners, WG, JNCC and other Environment bodies in the UK; and be the lead point of contact for customer queries.
• Maintain knowledge of Marine Ecology and aquaculture sector, identifying the implications of policy, legislative, technology and market changes for the Project, Natural Resources Wales and the sector.
• Collaborate with the Team Leader to develop and deliver an agreed Personal Development Plan.

Key Job Qualifications or Knowledge:

• Specialist technical knowledge related to assessing the sensitivity of different marine and coastal habitats and species to anthropogenic pressures and activities.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation related to marine and coastal ecosystems and the aquaculture sector; Welsh, UK Government policy drivers in marine and coastal ecosystems and the aquaculture sector and the issues and opportunities in Wales.
• Experience of: technical analysis and interpretation of a range of complex environmental information and marine and coastal ecosystems data sources; analysing large data sets; using GIS and other data analysis software.
• Working with Welsh Government, statutory nature conservation bodies, eNGOs, public bodies and marine sector representative bodies.
• Working in a programme and project management environment.
• Share your knowledge and expertise to help solve problems, supporting all Heads of Business in EPP as required.

The AWAA Project contract will be delivered by ABPmer Ltd. on behalf of NRW. This part-time marine ecologist post, funded by EMFF, will quality assure the contractors outputs.

The AWAA Project started in December 2021 and will complete all tasks by June 2023.

We are looking for an experienced and knowledgeable marine ecologist, capable of quality assuring a variety of Project outputs including habitats (at biotope level) and mobile species impact assessments, and their corresponding sensitivity assessments and supporting GIS maps. A knowledge of aquaculture techniques and nature conservation legislation would be desirable. Experience of using GIS software (preferably ArcGIS) will be essential