Senior Marine Strategic Compensation Manager

Job summary

The Marine Biodiversity Branch within the Marine and Biodiversity Division are seeking a motivated individual with strong interpersonal skills along with the ability to work autonomously.

Welsh seas are some of richest and most biologically diverse across Europe and are home to many habitats and species of national and international importance.

To protect our species and habitats, Wales has a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPA’s) covering 69% of our inshore waters. The MPA’s also help us to achieve Good Environmental Status in our waters, through the UK Marine Strategy and support delivery of our Global Biodiversity Framework Commitments, particularly the 30x30 target.

To support our response to the climate emergency, commitments to “Net Zero” and First Minister priorities, there is planned expansion off offshore renewable energy across Welsh seas, which is resulting in increasing spatial demands and impacts to the MPA network. There is a need to agree compensatory measures for any impacts/loss of habitats and species from the expansion of offshore renewables, and wider infrastructure, to ensure the coherence and resilience of our MPA’s.

Job description

The main purpose of the role is work with, with Natural Resources Wales (NRW), UK Government departments and WG Marine Planning and Licensing team to speed up the consenting process for infrastructure development. This will include supporting the Offshore Wind Environmental Improvement Package (OWIEP) to expediate the deployment of offshore renewables, in addition to supporting wider derogations for e.g. port/flood defence developments. The post holder will work closely with NRW to identify and take forward potential suitable compensatory measures.

The role will also include evaluating, on a Wales level the effectiveness of compensatory measures proposed and delivered by the Defra operated Library of Strategic Compensation Measures and the Marine Recovery Fund.

The post holder will also support the wider work of the Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystems branch including supporting completion of the MPA network, delivery of Welsh Minister commitments to OSPAR and the UK Marine Strategy and Programme for Government commitments.

The role will also require significant engagement with a range of WG cross policy areas including Energy, Fisheries and Transport (Ports) divisions. Additionally, the role will involve significant interaction with Cabinet Secretaries/Ministers and Special Advisors.

Person specification

Key responsibilities will be:

• Lead strategic engagement with Natural Resources Wales (NRW), JNCC, and UK Government to identify and secure suitable compensation measures that support current and future infrastructure development needs.
• Collaborate across government and industry, working with DEFRA, DESNZ, The Crown Estate, and Welsh Government Marine Planning teams to deliver derogations and compensatory habitat requirements—accelerating offshore wind deployment and wider infrastructure projects.
• Represent Wales at national forums, including offshore renewable energy groups and expert sub-groups such as the Collaboration on Offshore Wind Strategic Compensation (COWSC).
• Provide expert advice and briefings to senior leaders and Welsh Ministers on offshore renewables, derogations, and compensatory habitat strategies.
• Work closely with legal teams to ensure compensatory habitats are designated within the Marine Protected Area (MPA) network.
• Manage day-to-day government business, ensuring timely delivery of priorities and commitments.
• Support wider branch objectives and deputise for the Head of Branch when required.

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Welsh Government, like all other Government Departments use Success Profiles when we recruit. For each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job. It raises performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

The selection process and stages are:

Number of Stages:2 stage processStage 1Application FormStage 2Interview

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : MarineEcosystemsAndBiodiversity@gov.wales
• Email : MarineEcosystemsAndBiodiversity@gov.wales

Recruitment team

• Email : sharedservicehelpdesk@gov.wales

Further information

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition. Please see the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles on the Commission's website.

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and wish to make a complaint please email complaints@gov.wales. Please ensure that you refer to the vacancy reference number.

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Welsh Government, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: info@csc.gov.uk.