Conservation & Research Officer

About Sussex IFCA

The Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) is one of ten regional IFCA’s in England, responsible for managing sea fisheries resources and Marine Protected Areas out to six nautical miles. Our district covers the entire Sussex Coast, including the estuaries.

Our vision is to lead, champion and manage a sustainable marine environment and inshore fisheries, by successfully securing the right balance between social, environmental and economic benefits to ensure healthy seas, sustainable fisheries and a viable industry.

The IFCA is a committee of local government, and we are funded by East Sussex County Council, West Sussex County Council and Brighton and Hove City Council.

About the role

We are looking for a motivated and capable individual to undertake the role of Conservation and Research Officer. In this full-time (18-month contract) role, you will assist Sussex IFCA with the management of inshore fisheries and Marine Protected Areas along the Sussex coast, working to ensure we meet our statutory obligations.  

You will join a small team of motivated professionals based at our Shoreham-by-Sea office (flexible/remote working options considered), where you will support our conservation and research function to ensure the Authority is able to make appropriate, evidence-based decisions. You will be required to collate and analyse fisheries and marine environmental data, assist in the preparation of reports, respond to consultations and engage and communicate with stakeholders.

The successful applicant will be expected to crew Sussex IFCA’s vessels during survey work and occasional sea patrols. They will be responsible for following survey methodologies as well as carrying out data recording and analysis in the field. On occasion, they would be expected to carry out Fishery Officer enforcement duties, both on land and at sea.

About you

You should be enthusiastic and passionate about the marine environment, with knowledge of marine conservation and management issues, and the fishing industry. You will have a degree in a relevant discipline, and you will need excellent communication skills – written and oral, combined with an organised approach and an aptitude for teamwork and collaboration. You will work as part of a team and be confident working alone when required.

Significant experience in fisheries or marine research and/or management is desirable, and you will have knowledge of Sussex IFCA’s work.  You will also be able to demonstrate experience using GIS, using analytical software packages and be able to evidence a good understanding of marine environmental legislation.

You must be prepared to work some additional hours and unsocial hours (e.g. weekends and at night), for which the post attracts a 10% uplift on basic salary. On occasion, you will also be required to tackle physically demanding duties in a challenging marine environment and as such, we’ll expect you to meet the standard required to obtain a Seafarers Medical Certificate (ENG1) to be able to inspect fishing vessels both when in port and when working at sea. Officers involved in both enforcement and conservation and research activities may be required to work a minimum of 20 weekend days per year and a maximum of 28 weekend days. Staff shall work on average a minimum of 37 hours per week.

For further information please contact the IFCA office on 01273 454407 or email admin@sussex-ifca.gov.uk or visit our website at www.sussex-ifca.gov.uk

For informal advice on the recruitment process please ask for George Balchin, Conservation & Research Manager.

Interviews will be held in the week commencing 2^nd September 2024 in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex. If you are selected for interview, you will be expected to prepare and deliver a 5-10 minute presentation and complete a GIS task prior to interview and present maps for discussion. 

Application forms are to be returned to admin@sussex-ifca.gov.uk and a.purcell@sussex-ifca.gov.uk