Vacancy -- Chair - Natural Resources Wales

The natural resources we have in Wales – our trees, seas, hills, fields, water and wildlife - are vital for our future.  Without them we would have no clean air to breathe or water to drink.  They are a major driver in our economy and help sustain the health and wellbeing of our people and attract visitors to Wales.

These resources face increasing demands – from environmental factors such as climate change, and from social and economic factors.  It is therefore essential that we ensure that our environmental resources are managed in the best way possible, to ensure value for money and achieve the best outcomes.  This needs to done in ways which are sustainable, so that Wales’ natural assets are not squandered and are maintained for future generations.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is the first organisation in the world that brings together many of the tools needed to ensure that the natural resources of Wales are sustainably maintained, sustainably enhanced and sustainably used, now and in the future.  NRW was established on 1 April 2013 when the responsibilities, assets and staff from Countryside Council for Wales, Environment Agency Wales and the Forestry Commission Wales were brought together as Natural Resources Wales.

Alongside a wide range of operational and regulatory responsibilities, NRW is the principal adviser to Welsh Government about natural resources.

NRW has made sure that important services and accountability were unaffected by the transition. It has also ensured careful financial management in a difficult economic climate.

NRW’s focus is on moving to integrated natural resource management across all its responsibilities.  This role will be legally reinforced in the forthcoming Environment Bill.

NRW is working to provide joined up services to partners, customers and stakeholders, who benefit from dealing with a single organisation with a single voice.  It has an ambitious change programme to develop ways of working that are better suited to Wales.

Natural Resources Wales as a Welsh Government Sponsored Body, is accountable to the Welsh Ministers through the Sponsorship Minister (currently the Minister for Natural Resources) and subject to scrutiny by the relevant Assembly Committees. The Board has accountability for ensuring NRW exercises its legislative functions appropriately and effectively.  It is also responsible to Welsh Ministers for the ways in which it delivers against the annual remit letter. 

The Board of NRW has a Chair and non-executive members appointed by the Welsh Ministers.  Taking account of its range of functions, currently there are nine members of the Board, including the Chief Executive.

The role of the Board is to provide effective leadership, define and develop strategic direction and set challenging objectives.  The Board promotes high standards of public accountability and upholds the principles of regularity, propriety and value for money.  It ensures that NRW’s activities are conducted efficiently and effectively and monitors performance to ensure that NRW fully meets its aims, objectives and performance targets.

The Board has overarching governance arrangements and delegates its functions to officers through a scheme of delegation covering both financial and non-financial matters.  The Chief Executive acts as the Accounting Officer for NRW.
 

The Welsh Government is seeking a Chair for the Board of Natural Resources Wales (NRW) – could you be the person we are looking for?  Are you someone who cares about Wales - its environment, economy, people, culture and future?  Are you an extraordinary leader?

The natural resources we have in Wales – are a major driver in our economy.  If you believe you possess the passion, drive and ambition to lead an organisation which is responsible for sustainably managing, maintaining and using Wales’ natural resources, then this role might well be for you.

As a leader, you should be able to build relationships and to negotiate, persuade and influence.  You should also be commercially, financially and politically astute.  You should provide evidence of experience of working on a board or within any equivalent, complex organisation - not necessarily from within the environment sector.

The Welsh Government welcomes applications from people within under-represented groups to make sure everyone has an equal chance of applying for this role.  We ensure that no eligible candidate for public office receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, or pregnancy and maternity.  The principles of fair and open competition will apply and appointments will be made on merit.

Experience and skills required for the role of Chair are:

• Experience of working at Board level or within any equivalent, complex organisation.

• Experience of a commercial or regulatory environment.

• Experience of leading the development and implementation of strategies aimed at achieving organisational goals.

• Demonstrable track record of a commitment to the principles of equality and diversity.

• An understanding of the public sector and a commitment to the principles of public life.

• A well developed ability to communicate, including negotiating, persuading and influencing people at all levels, handling the media and wider public audiences.

• The ability to build effective relationships and represent Natural Resources Wales as necessary.

• Welsh language skills are desirable.  However, all candidates will be expected to display an awareness of the linguistic profile of Wales and support compliance with the forthcoming Welsh Language Standards.

Whilst the role of Chair is remunerated at £28k per annum for a time commitment of approximately five days per month, this is not as an employee of NRW or the Welsh Government. 

The remuneration is taxable and it is the responsibility of the Chair to ensure PAYE deductions in respect of income tax and National Insurance have been made, unless instructed to the contrary by the Inland Revenue or the Contribution Agency.  If appropriate, it will be for the Chair to arrange authorisation of the non-application of PAYE or National Insurance.

Travel and subsistence expenses incurred in attending meetings, or on visits, will be reimbursed at the standard rates set by NRW.  In addition, childcare and other dependent expenses may be paid, for additional costs incurred as a direct consequence of duties performed for NRW.

The appointment is not pensionable.