Join Us in Protecting Communities and Shaping Resilient Futures

As a technical expert within the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Branch, you’ll play a vital role in reducing the flood risk to communities across Wales.

The FCERM Branch sits at the heart of the Coal Tips, Water and Flood Division, driving innovative solutions to manage flood and coastal risks. A cornerstone of our work is delivering the £77 million annual FCERM Programme—a transformative investment that strengthens infrastructure, enhances resilience, and supports sustainable communities.

This is your opportunity to:

• Make a real difference by contributing to projects that protect people and ecosystems.
• Work on high-profile initiatives with significant national impact.
• Collaborate with experts across engineering, environmental science, and policy.
• Shape the future of flood risk management through technical leadership and innovation.

The post holder will be responsible for:

• Leading on the appraisal of local authority engineering proposals seeking FCERM funding.
• Providing technical advice to Ministers and senior officials concerning complex FCERM issues.
• Assisting with Government Business concerning complex flooding issues or contentious schemes.
• Assisting in the assessment of the impact of policy options (Wales and UK), developing and maintaining impact assessments for the full range of policy impacts.
• Assist in the continual monitoring and evaluation of technical guidance and FCERM policy, developing recommendations for change where necessary.
• Work with programme management colleagues to ensure the annual £77m FCERM Programme is achievable and affordable.
• Assist on specific elements of larger budgetary considerations in your policy area
• Assist in the continual monitoring and evaluation of policy and develop recommendations for change.
• Provide advice, where required, to the Flood and Coastal Erosion Committee if required.
• There may be additional tasks associated with a flood event, including emergency briefing, site visits and a need to assess and appraise urgent repairs to FCERM assets.
• Contributing advice and expertise to broader strategy and policy discussions to help achieve Divisional, Directorate and WG-level objectives.

Flood Branch is a friendly, inclusive, and high-performing team. The successful candidate will be well supported and given access and time to complete any training that they may need to complete the role effectively.

• Opportunity to work with a range of external stakeholders.
• Contribute to government business and corporate activities, including ministerial advice.
• Internal and external training opportunities.
• Chartership fees
• Travel pan-Wales to FCERM scheme locations.

Opportunity to work with wider policy areas across WG including central Finance, Welsh Treasury and National Security and Resilience Division.

A reserve list may be held for this opportunity. Any candidate who is successful in being offered a reserve status, will remain on the reserve list for 12 months.

A presentation/ test on experience 1 will be required at interview. More information will be provided in the invitations to that stage.

Do you hold a degree in Civil Engineering, Geography, or Environmental Management; or another qualification (such as HNC or HND) with experience working in the FCERM sector (e.g., for an engineering consultancy, Risk Management Authority like a Local Authority or NRW, or another relevant organisation)?

In the event of a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the lead assessment criterion: Technical 1. 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, this list will determine a merit order/which candidate will be appointed.

Weighting the criteria: Technical 1, experience 1 and then behaviour 1 and behaviour 2.