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Title

Chief Officer Strategy & Impact 202372

Posted
Reference   (Please mention Stopdodo/Environment Jobs in your application)
Sectors Terrestrial / Aquatic Ecology & Conservation
Location Scotland (Central) - UK, England (East Anglia) - UK
Salary Additional Information £75,000 - £117,800
Salary (Minimum)
75000
Salary (Maximum)
117800
Type Fixed Term and Permanent Roles
Status Full Time
Level Senior Level
Deadline 17/09/2023
Company Name JNCC
Contact Name
JNCC logo
Also Listing:
Description

A very warm welcome to you and thank you for considering applying for the role of Chief Officer Strategy & Impact at the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC).

We are only at the beginning of the most profound change to nature seen in our lifetimes. Biodiversity is the variety of all life on Earth, including diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems. It is essential to humanity. And it is in crisis around the world. Caused by changes in land and sea use, overexploitation, climate change, pollution, and invasive species, species and habitats are declining rapidly leading to damaged and dysfunctional ecosystem processes. In turn, ecological collapse is having significant and inequitable impacts on people’s security, prosperity and wellbeing. There is an urgent need to understand the changes we are seeing and to use this knowledge to conserve and recover nature. JNCC played a key scientific advisory role at the Convention on Biological Diversity Conference of Parties 15 (CBD COP15). The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework is the ‘Paris moment for nature’, guiding our work not only to 2030 but for generations to come. This gives us cause for hope about the future. JNCC knows nature and we are committed to using that knowledge to decolonise the future and become a good ancestor. 

Together for Nature builds on our strong heritage of expertise, knowledge and networks with a new vision: Thriving nature for a sustainable future. Our ambition to bend the curve on biodiversity loss is high. Our integrated approach to nature conservation and recovery is through investing in our people and our partnerships. Our intent is to maximise the impact of our evidence and advice on complex ecological, social and economic systems to conserve and recover nature. The post holder will be critical to the inclusive, collaborative and innovative delivery of our mission: turning science into action for nature, people and the planet. This is a new role designed to develop our culture, deliver our strategic priorities and drive progress towards our vision. If nature inspires you, this may be the leadership role for you. I would love to hear about the values, experience, skills and qualities you can bring to our mission and vision for nature. 

We have a strong heritage and ambitious future

Our story began over three decades ago and our scientific and technical endeavour has produced some of the most important evidence and advice on the state and change of nature, both domestically and internationally. JNCC is a Non-Departmental Public Body. Originally established under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to handle science-based GB and UK international issues, JNCC was later reconstituted by the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (NERC) 2006, as the forum through which the country nature conservation bodies (CNCBs) in England (Natural England), Northern Ireland (Council for Nature Conservation and 
the Countryside), Scotland (NatureScot) and Wales (Natural Resources Wales), discharge their statutory responsibilities across the UK and internationally. Uniquely amongst the environmental public sector, and given the devolved status of environmental policy, our statutory duties are at multiple scales of the four countries of the UK, the UK, our Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, and internationally. We provide impartial, interdisciplinary scientific evidence and advice, fostering collaboration and building connected communities for nature conservation and recovery. 

JNCC’s statutory duties and functions are to:

• Advise on the development and implementation of policies on nature conservation matters which arise a) throughout the UK, b) in one or more of the four countries and affect the UK as a whole, or c) outside the UK.

• Establish common standards throughout the UK for monitoring, research and information analysis relating to nature conservation

• Commission or support research relating to the above JNCC also has responsibilities and duties under the following legislation:

• The Offshore Marine Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 2007 (as amended)

• The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009

• The Planning Act 2008

• The Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009; the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017.

• The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Under the Environment (Wales) Act 2016, JNCC is required to seek to maintain and enhance biodiversity in the exercise of functions in relation to Wales and, in so doing, promote the resilience of ecosystems, so far as consistent with the proper exercise of those functions.

The Chief Officer Strategy & Impact post is critical to lead the organisation, collectively and efficiently, through the implementation needed to deliver JNCC’s vision.

The Chief Officer Strategy & Impact will be an authentic, visible and inclusive leader, able to articulate clearly JNCC’s vision – our mission, strategic priorities and values – to ensure the delivery of our outcomes and impact on nature recovery. 

If nature inspires you, this may be the leadership role for you. We would love to hear about the values, experience, skills and qualities you can bring to our mission and vision for nature.

Job description

Organisational leadership

As a member of the Executive Leadership Team and working with our Joint Committee, you will help ensure the effective, efficient, resilient and sustainable running of the organisation in line with the NERC Act 2006 and other relevant legislation, Nolan Principles, our Framework Document, Together for Nature, and our core values of inclusion, collaboration and innovation. You will help us develop our culture to ensure effective delivery of our strategic priorities. You will deputise for the Chief Executive as required.

People leadership

You will build supportive and trusting relationships with the UK, Marine and International Programme Directors and their teams, ensuring visible, inclusive leadership, prioritised learning and development, effective performance management and career development. You will be a role model for our values and our bold commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) through sponsoring delivery of our EDI Action Plan.

Partnership and delivery leadership

Leading the UK Coordination, Marine and International science programmes, and our Digital and Data Solutions team, you will be accountable for c.200 FTE strong team, a budget of c. £22m and delivery of our annual business plan targets and strategic priorities. You will establish a new Portfolio Management Office to drive business delivery across JNCC, rationalise processes, consolidate internal and external reporting, enhance stakeholder engagement, create strategic thinking and development time for Programme Directors and Team Leaders, and optimise our impact. You will enhance and create relationships with senior officials, ministers and stakeholders across the four countries of the UK, the UK Government, the Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.

Personal development

You will actively seek personal growth and development through the role and will instil a culture of continuing professional development to support us becoming a learning organisation.

Person specification

It is important that, through your CV and Statement of Suitability, you provide evidence and examples of proven experience for each of the selection criteria listed.

Essential Criteria

• An excellent track record of senior leadership of people in fast-paced, changing and uncertain circumstances, through developing a high performing culture whilst maintaining good work-life balance for teams and supporting wellbeing, delivering through others and role-modelling collaboration, innovation and inclusion, including a demonstrable impact on diversity and equity.

• An excellent track record in using and communicating interdisciplinary scientific evidence to improve decision-making at different geographical and political scales – domestically and internationally – and a strong understanding of the priorities of the four countries of the UK, the UK Government, the Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, as they affect nature conservation and recovery.

• A confident, politically astute, and credible relationship builder, with highly developed interpersonal and influencing skills, able to influence decision-making at all levels, and across functional and organisational boundaries, with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. 

• A creative and strategic thinker, able to translate multiple competing objectives and programmes of work into a coherent, prioritised portfolio of measurable deliverables, including securing and managing annual budgets, managing significant risks, developing efficient reporting and creating key performance indicators, to drive delivery and impact.

Behaviours

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

  • Leadership
  • Seeing the Big Picture
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Making Effective Decisions
Alongside your salary of £75,000, Joint Nature Conservation Committee contributes £20,250 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

 

• You will automatically be enrolled into the Civil Service Alpha pension scheme from the start of your employment with an average employer contribution of 27%.

However we can offer you a choice of two types of pension scheme: 

    • Alpha - This is an occupational pension scheme based on your career average earnings. 
    • Partnership - This is a stakeholder pension with a contribution from us, how much we pay is based on your age and the amount you chose to contribute.

 
For more information visit: www.civilservice.gov.uk/pensions

Annual leave

• The annual leave allowance is 25 days per year, rising to 30 days per year after five years’ service. There are also 12 days public and privilege leave. 

Flexible working 

• We offer a working environment that aims to give people greater flexibility to work in a way that suits them (with an appropriate blend of office and home-based working) while also meeting JNCC’s business needs. 

• Our policies are family-friendly and include flexi-time, flexible working patterns, compressed hours and hybrid working.

Employee benefits and discounts

• Childcare vouchers – we support the Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) scheme to help parents paying for registered childcare.

• Employee Discount Scheme - our Staff Benefits provider offers a wide range of employee retail discounts.

Learning and development

JNCC is committed to becoming a learning organisation and investing in our staff. We offers a range of work-based training and continuous professional development opportunities with a guaranteed five days of specified learning a year. 

Staff wellbeing

• JNCC offers paid maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave, over and above the minimum statutory entitlements.

• Employee Assistance Programme - a free and confidential 24/7 telephone advice service.

• Healthcare – we provide access to online advice to support physical, mental and emotional wellbeing along with the opportunity to contribute to a healthcare plan to make savings on everyday healthcare costs

 

 

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Ability and Experience.

The application process

To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process no later than 23.55 on Sunday 17 September 2023.

You will be asked to submit the following:

1. Some basic, personal information.

2. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.

3. A Statement of Suitability explaining how you consider your personal values, experience, skills and qualities provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification. As part of the online application process, you will be asked a number of diversity-related questions. If you do not wish to provide a declaration on any of the particular characteristics, you have the option to select ‘prefer not to say’. The information you provide when submitting your application will help us monitor our progress towards becoming an inclusive employer and a great place to work. If you are unable to apply online or have any issues with the online application process, please contact:Recruitment@jncc.gov.uk 

Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel only has limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the Person Specification.

How we decide whom to invite for interview

The panel will assess your application to select those demonstrating the best fit with the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the essential criteria set out in the Person Specification section. Please note you will be assessed against the four behaviours above if you are selected for interview. The panel will be chaired by Dr Gemma Harper OBE, Chief Executive, and be supported by Charlie Banner KC, Chair of Joint Committee, Cath Denholm, Deputy Chair of Joint Committee and Chair of our ARAC and People Committee, Sara McGuckin, Head of Natural Science, Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).

Candidates applying under the Disability Confident Scheme who meet the minimum selection criteria in the job specification are guaranteed an interview. Please complete the relevant parts in the application system if applying under this scheme.

Assessment

If you are shortlisted, you will be asked to take part in the following additional assessment:

Staff Engagement Exercise (SEE) – an online presentation and Q&A with a representative staff group from JNCC. 

Informal discussions

Shortlisted candidates will have the opportunity to speak to Dr Gemma Harper OBE, Chief Executive. This is an informal discussion to learn more about the role and is not part of the assessment process.

Formal Interview

If you are selected, you will be asked to attend a face to face panel interview at Quay House in Peterborough for an in-depth discussion of your experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification and the Civil Service Success Profiles. An accessible version can be found here. You may be asked to deliver a presentation at interview. You will be assessed on the four JNCC behaviours listed above at interview. Full details will be provided to candidates selected to attend the full interview.

Timetable

Please note that this timetable is indicative at this stage and could be subject to change. The anticipated timetable is as follows:

Closing Date: 23:55pm Sunday 17 September 2023

Shortlisting outcomes: w/c 25 September 2023

Staff Engagement Exercise: w/c 2 October 2023

Panel Interviews: Friday 20 October 2023

Interview arrangements will be confirmed to shortlisted candidates and are expected to be in person in Quay House, Peterborough. 

Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process as it may not be possible to offer any alternative dates for assessments or interviews.


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 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) (opens in a new window)
  • 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 (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.

 

 

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 :JNCC recruitment
  • 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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