Senior Marine Strategic Compensation Manager

Vacancy title

Senior Marine Strategic Compensation Manager

Closing date

11/02/2026, 16:00

Advertising basis

Loan, Secondment

Actual starting salary

Although SEO Pay Scale is £47,675 to £56,445, please see 'Other vacancy related information' for further clarity.

Salary range or pay band

SEO £47,675 to £56,445

Allowances

No

Work pattern

Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)

Duration

2 years

Group

Local Govt, Housing, Climate Change and Rural Affairs

Directorate

Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability

Branch

Marine Ecosystems and Biodiversity

Location (s)

Pan Wales

Purpose of post

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 Comm

itments, 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.

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.

Key tasks

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.
  
  

Development opportunities

• Work in a high-profile policy area that directly supports Programme for Government commitments and delivers Ministerial priorities on biodiversity and climate change.

Gain significant experience in intergovernmental policy development and delivery, collaborating with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including Ministers.

Join a high-performing, friendly, and inclusive team where your contributions will make a real impact.

Benefit from excellent support and access to training, ensuring you have the tools and time to succeed in the role and achieve your personal development goals.

Other vacancy related information

In the event of a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the lead assessment criterion: Experience 3. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

In the event of two or more candidates having the same total score, the following list will be used to determine a merit order/which candidate will be appointed. Weighting the criteria - which candidate had the highest score for Experience Question 3, then 2, then 1.

• These temporary roles are available for a duration of 2 years, on a loan or secondment basis.
• A reserve list may be held for this opportunity. Any candidate who meets the required scoring and are successful in being offered a reserve status, will remain on the reserve list for 12 months and may be considered for comparable roles that may arise within the team.

Successful candidates are expected to return to their substantive appointment at the end of this opportunity.

Candidates should note that this post is being offered as either a secondment or loan opportunity only. Please ensure you have fully consulted the eligibility guidance before you apply.

Eligibility Verification

Applications will be assessed against the below stated criteria. Candidates who do not meet the eligibility requirements will be notified regarding the status of their application.

For Candidates Applying on a Secondment Basis

• You must obtain prior agreement from your employer to be released on secondment before applying. Please ensure you have line management approval.
• During the secondment, you will remain on the terms, conditions, and payroll of your home organisation.
• Inward secondees are not eligible for Welsh Government pay awards or rewards. Please see our candidate guidance for pay arrangements.
  
  

For Candidates Applying on a Loan Basis

• You must be an existing civil servant, appointed through fair and open competition, who has passed probation and been in your substantive post for at least 6 months at the time of application.

This is a temporary post. At the end of the loan, you will return to your substantive grade and pay arrangements in your home organisation.

Prior agreement from your employer to be released on loan must be obtained before applying. Please ensure you have line management approval.

Successful candidates will have their financial position protected in line with Welsh Government pay policy (see candidate guidance for details).

Loanees will move to Welsh Government’s pay scale for the HEO grade, salary will be based on basic pay only.

Candidates should note that this post is being offered as either a secondment or loan opportunity only. Please ensure you have fully consulted the eligibility guidance before you apply.

Eligibility Verification

Applications will be assessed against the below stated criteria. Candidates who do not meet the eligibility requirements will be notified regarding the status of their application.

For Candidates Applying on a Secondment Basis

• You must obtain prior agreement from your employer to be released on secondment before applying. Please ensure you have line management approval.

During the secondment, you will remain on the terms, conditions, and payroll of your home organisation.

Inward secondees are not eligible for Welsh Government pay awards or rewards. Please see our candidate guidance for pay arrangements.

For Candidates Applying on a Loan Basis

• You must be an existing civil servant, appointed through fair and open competition, who has passed probation and been in your substantive post for at least 6 months at the time of application.
• This is a temporary post. At the end of the loan, you will return to your substantive grade and pay arrangements in your home organisation.
• Prior agreement from your employer to be released on loan must be obtained before applying. Please ensure you have line management approval.
• Successful candidates will have their financial position protected in line with Welsh Government pay policy (see candidate guidance for details).
  
  

Loanees will move to Welsh Government’s pay scale for the HEO grade, salary will be based on basic pay only.

Vetting level

Basic

Number of posts

1

Contact point for further information regarding the post

MarineEcosystemsAndBiodiversity@gov.wales

Welsh language requirements

3 - Welsh language skills are not essential for this post, they are however desirable and will be considered if two or more candidates receive the same score at the application or interview stage.

Understanding by reading

0 - No skills

Speaking and being understood

0 - No skills

Understanding by listening

0 - No skills

Writing and being understood

0 - No skills

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

Evidence to provide

Experience questions

Experience 1

Ability to analyse complex data and information and provide clear, evidence-based recommendations to senior managers.

Experience 2

Ability to develop and deliver policy or evidence-based work.

Experience 3

Knowledge of marine protected areas and strategic compensation measures

Experience 4

Ability to work to challenging and competing deadlines

You will be asked about your nationality and if you are legally allowed to work in the United Kingdom. This is to find out if you are eligible to apply for this vacancy. This is a requirement for working within the Civil Service. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

If you do not meet the eligibility criteria your application will not progress. If it becomes clear at a later stage in the process that you are not eligible to apply, your application may be withdrawn, or the offer retracted.

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)

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

Secondments

Secondments are fixed term options for no more than two years, open to individuals not employed as a Civil Servant (this includes those employed by Non-Departmental Government Bodies). Sometimes posts are advertised as a secondment opportunity. If this is the case it will state it above. Secondees have different terms and conditions, please refer to the guidance pack before applying. Secondees are not entitled to the benefits listed below including those relating to Social Partnership.

All Welsh Government staff are members of the Civil Service, and as a result are eligible for:

• Civil Service Pension Scheme

31 days annual leave (pro-rated for part time)

training and development opportunities

Cycle2Work Scheme

Smart Working flexible working arrangement

Green Car Scheme (subject to availability)

If you are an active Civil Service Pension member you can continue your membership throughout your employment with us.

If you are an active Civil Service Pension member you can continue your membership throughout your employment with us.

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.

How To Apply

All applications for this vacancy must be made using our online application system.

Unless stated otherwise in the 'Other vacancy-related information for advert', the Welsh Government cannot offer Visa sponsorship. Welsh Government holds a Visa sponsorship licence, but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.

Applications are welcomed from people with a diverse range of lived and professional experiences. We are actively committed to becoming an increasingly diverse organisation which represents the diverse communities we serve. There are a number of Diversity networks that staff can participate in, which include the Disability Awareness and Support Staff Network; Minority Ethnic Staff Network; Mind Matters (Mental health and well-being); PRISM (LGBTI+), Women Together and the Neurodivergence Network.

If you have an impairment which prevents you from applying online, please email our recruitment team. You can:

• request an application pack in an alternative format

request a recruitment adjustment to help you submit your application

Use the 'Apply' button to submit your application. You will be asked to register if you don't have an account or sign in if you do. Registration takes a few minutes and you will need an email address.

You should check your Application Centre regularly for updates to your application. Please also check your spam/junk folder in case any communication regarding your application and/or assessment details finds its way there.

Once you've registered for an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the online application form. You must complete this and submit it before the deadline on the closing date. We will not consider an incomplete application form.

If you would like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the Change Language link on this page. We welcome applications in Welsh, and applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than applications submitted in English.

Please see the candidate guidance for more information on the recruitment process.

For information on Civil Service Success Profiles please click here .

For TS to G6 recruitment schemes:

When presenting your evidence, you may find it useful to consider the expectations of the grade as set out in the Grade Description as well as the main responsibilities that are essential for the role.

Use the 'Apply' button to submit your application. You will be asked to register if you don't have an account or sign in if you do. Registration takes a few minutes and you will need an email address.

You should check your Application Centre regularly for updates to your application. Please also check your spam/junk folder in case any communication regarding your application and/or assessment details finds its way there.

Once you've registered for an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the online application form. You must complete this and submit it before the deadline on the closing date. We will not consider an incomplete application form.

If you would like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the Change Language link on this page. We welcome applications in Welsh, and applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than applications submitted in English.

Please see the candidate guidance for more information on the recruitment process.

For information on Civil Service Success Profiles please click here .

For TS to G6 recruitment schemes:

When presenting your evidence, you may find it useful to consider the expectations of the grade as set out in the Grade Description as well as the main responsibilities that are essential for the role.