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Title

Biodiversity Data Coordinator 2022-109

Posted
Reference
Sectors Conservation & Ecology
Location England (East Anglia) - UK
Town/City Whilst this role will be contractually based in a JNCC workplace/office and the successful candidates are required to carry out all their duties from a UK location.
Salary Additional Information £28,958
Salary (Minimum)
28958
Salary (Maximum)
28958
Type Fixed Term and Permanent Roles
Status Full Time
Level Mid Level
Deadline 18/10/2022
Company Name Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Contact Name
Joint Nature Conservation Committee logo
Directory Entry : The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) is the public body that advises the UK Government and devolved administrations on UK-wide and international nature conservation. Originally established under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. For Careers with the JNCC visit the Civil Service Career Portal.
Also Listing:
Description
Whilst this role will be contractually based in a JNCC workplace/office (Peterborough). JNCC has adopted a hybrid working approach, allowing colleagues to benefit from time in the office, with the flexibility also to work from home. Employees are expected to work from our office base or at external meetings or events for 1 – 2 days a month as a minimum, this will vary by team and the exact balance will depend on the nature of your role. We can provide more details at the interview and offer stages

Summary

Who are JNCC?

Established in 1991, we’re the UK’s statutory advisor on issues affecting the natural environment across the UK and internationally. Our primary role is advising all four Governments of the UK. We also work with private sector organisations to support decision making on the sustainable use of marine waters and natural resources around the UK. JNCC is led by the Joint Committee, which brings together members from the nature conservation bodies for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and independent members appointed by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under an independent Chair. Support is provided to the Committee by approx. 270 people who bring together scientific and technical expertise, extensive knowledge of policy at global, European and national levels, and skills in working with other organisations. Staff are based in two main offices in Peterborough and Aberdeen.

Why JNCC?

We’re small enough (c.270 staff) that your voice is heard by everyone including the CEO, but big enough that we have all the skills, resources and people you’ll need to get the job done. All our staff are passionate about conservation and making a difference to the world we live in. We have a very flexible, inclusive and welcoming organisational culture. Our Executive Management provides employees with the freedom and tools you will need, and our friendly team will assist you in your role.  
 
JNCC is committed to maintaining employee health and wellbeing, whether it is physically, emotionally, financially or socially, and offers a range of benefits to support employees in this. Such benefits include the option to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme, professional and personal development opportunities as well as an exciting job in a unique environment.  

Post Summary

The Nature Conservation Policy and Advice (NCPA) Team in JNCC plays a key role in nature conservation in the UK, working with partners in the country nature conservation bodies, the UK and devolved governments and the wider nature conservation community.  We maintain an overview of UK nature conservation policy and legislation; facilitate, convene and, where required, co-ordinate joint UK working on key topics; and work with UK countries on areas of priority delivery, and where JNCC contributes complimentary capabilities of evidence and advice.

 JNCC wishes to appoint a biodiversity data coordinator working in the NCPA team. You will play a key role in supporting the work of the team advising on biodiversity issues in the UK and will work on a range of projects across different work areas.

 One of JNCC’s roles is to work with the country nature conservation bodies to provide evidence and advice to inform policy. You will focus on data and how it can be combined with other evidence as well as support the associated activities of gathering, managing and analysing nature conservation data and contributing to working with the Country Nature Conservation Bodies (CNCBs) and eNGOs.

 You will help develop JNCC’s capability to manage and mitigate threats in terrestrial and marine ecosystems, dealing with advice requests, and gathering evidence to inform policy for these areas.

 You will also support JNCC’s duties under the Habitats Regulations (e.g. reporting), biodiversity policies and their relationship where relevant to multi-lateral environmental agreements (e.g. Convention on Biological Diversity and Bern Convention).

 

Job description

You will need to have a good understanding of the importance of the relationship between scientific research, evidence and policy development.  You will be working collaboratively with members of NCPA team, other teams within JNCC as well as with the SNCBs and officials from the UK and devolved governments.  You will need to work with a wide range of specialists and stakeholders to undertake policy analysis and contribute to developing practical advice in a fast-moving policy environment.

A primary task of the role is to help collate, manage, analyse data and report results. A range of species data exists but are often fragmented e.g. JNCC designations spreadsheet, GB Red Lists, National Biodiversity Network (distribution, taxonomy), and species abundances and trends. The species database project collates these data for use within the team and JNCC. 

JNCC chairs the Inter-agency Red List Group. Red list data are stored using the bespoke IUCN red list database, Species Information System (SIS). You will become familiar with the uses of SIS through online training and engagement with the Red List Unit, Cambridge. New red list assessments are managed through contracts with specialists. The postholder will initiate and manage these contracts as well as assess and assure the quality of completed red list contracts according to the IUCN specifications. The postholder will be expected to complete the online Red List training which explains the criteria used to categorise species. 

Communication is an essential part of this job and requires an ability to work with a range of people and discuss nature conservation science options. You should have the ability to analyse new government policy and help advise on conservation data implications. The postholder will cover research topics for the team, undertake literature reviews and write up reports and briefings.

The range of work which is covered in the NCPA Team is broad.  We are looking for someone who has the skills to perform the listed duties, but there is room in this role to develop your own capabilities alongside your experienced colleagues and through training and professional development. You will carry out a range of functions involved in joint UK work; working with the four UK countries to deliver nature conservation evidence. A summary of the post is:

•    collate, manage and quality-assure data and related databases, including identifying new and emerging evidence and advice needs on key areas of delivery;
•    become familiar with the use of the IUCN red list criteria for assessing the threat of extinction of species and lead on this work; 
•    engage with governments, devolved administrations and the Country Nature Conservation Bodies (through inter-agency groups) and eNGOs on the development of new funding regimes for nature recovery and the provision of public goods (including Environmental Land Management in England), ensuring JNCC’s evidence and policy advice is effectively deployed;
•    facilitate joint-UK work on protected areas, JNCC’s duties under the Habitats Regulations, environmental governance (e.g. reporting), biodiversity policies; and their relationship where relevant to multi-lateral environmental agreements (e.g. Convention on Biological Diversity and Bern Convention);
•    build knowledge of the evolving legislation and policy landscape across UK countries and identify opportunities to consolidate or enhance JNCC’s work at UK or country levels;
•    support periodic work on the review of UK legislation including Schedules 5, 8 (QQR) and 9.
•    provide project management and secretariat support, and where necessary act as project manager, in line with skills and experience; 
•    communicate effectively, for instance through presentations, reports and scientific papers, managing web content, newsletters and other media;  
•    gather and interpret intelligence in relevant policy areas within UK government, devolved administrations, country nature conservation bodies and other stakeholders; and
•    provide policy and technical advice and expertise on issues relating to biodiversity in the UK.

Responsibilities

Please demonstrate in your statement of suitability your reasons for applying. You will then be asked later in this application to provide a short statement against how you meet each of the technical and experience requirements

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

  • Working Together
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Changing and Improving

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

  • To be a successful candidate you will be expected to have a relevant degree or equivalent qualification or demonstrate that you are capable of fulfilling the post requirements. Recent relevant work experience will be an advantage
  • Knowledge of ecology and nature conservation in the UK, with in-depth knowledge in at least one topic (e.g. plant/animal ecology, a species or habitat specialism; protected sites; farmland conservation/agri-environment);
  • Good understanding of data analysis with competence in data manipulation and management. A key requirement is accuracy and precision;
  • A reasonable general knowledge of the policy and legislative framework for environment and nature conservation in the UK and at country-level;
  • An understanding of monitoring in UK nature conservation and the use of different techniques to gather data. Knowledge of survey principles is required and knowledge of remote survey methods will be an advantage;
Equality and diversity

JNCC is committed to creating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected and see this as a good place to work. JNCC has a responsibility to ensure that we have an inclusive culture where discrimination, harassment, bullying and prejudice will not be tolerated. Our selection process is determined on fair and open competition and regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership.

Continuous professional development (CPD)

Employees are encouraged to keep developing skills and professional knowledge.
JNCC has made available, and encourages employees to use, on average, five working days per annum for CPD activities with access to related funding

Leave entitlement

JNCC annual leave allowance is 25 days per annum. After five years’ service, leave entitlement increases to 30 days per annum.
In addition to annual leave, JNCC offers 12 public and privilege days per annum, three of which are explicitly reserved for office closure between Christmas and New Year.

Work/life balance

JNCC supports flexible working hours and practices to help employees strike a good balance between work life and personal life.

Our policies are family-friendly and include flexi-time, flexible working patterns, compressed hours and dispersed working. JNCC also offers paid maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave, over and above the minimum statutory entitlements. Some work/life balance benefits are available following a minimum length of service.

Any move from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

Civil Service Pension

Employees will have the opportunity to join Civil Service pension arrangements, which include a valuable range of benefits. JNCC makes a significant contribution to the cost of employee pensions.

Employee Assistance Programme

JNCC provides employees with a free and confidential support service which gives unlimited access to information, advice and emotional support to help employees prepare for and manage all of life's ups and downs, events and challenges.

Trade Union

JNCC has entered into a partnership agreement with its recognised Trade Unions: Prospect and PCS, which employees are able to join and be involved with.

Salary sacrifice schemes

Employee Discount Scheme

Civil Service Sports Club

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a statement of suitability. In your statement, show how you’re suitable for the role. Make your statement no longer than 1000 words.

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

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
  • relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
  • certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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.
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.
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
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 :Recruitment Team
  • Email :recruitment@jncc.gov.uk

Recruitment team :

  • Email :recruitment@jncc.gov.uk

Further information

Selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles, our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of appointment on the basis of merit by fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact recruitment@jncc.gov.uk in the first instance.
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