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| Title | International Advice Team Co-Leader (Peterborough or Aberdeen) |
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| Description |
The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) is the statutory adviser to Government on UK and international nature conservation working at the science-policy interface.
The International Advice Team in JNCC provides scientific advice on international issues in relation to nature conservation. This includes advising on multi-lateral environmental agreements (MEAs) to which the UK is Party and meeting UK reporting obligations under these. The United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union (EU) has provided an unprecedented opportunity to transform policy affecting the environment in the UK and internationally. Equally, this is seen as a vitally important decade to address the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change. The UK has pioneered the ‘Leaders’ Pledge for Nature’ (LPN), which sets the scene for ambitious action on climate and nature. The four countries of the UK have been developing their approaches to these issues with the 25 year Environment Plan and the Environment Act 2021 in England, The Scottish Environment Strategy and Scottish biodiversity strategy post-2020: statement of intent, Nature Recovery Action Plan in Wales and the Northern Ireland Climate Change Adaptation Programme 2019-2024. A revised UK Biodiversity Framework, setting out how the countries might work collectively to achieve the UK’s international obligations, is also under development through the Four Countries Biodiversity Group Negotiations are underway to agree under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) an ambitious post-2020 global biodiversity framework (to replace the existing CBD Aichi targets). An important aspect of the delivery of the global framework will be adjusting UK policies which directly affect the natural environment, including on climate change, the investment of overseas development assistance and on trade. In addition, The Economics of biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review, highlights overall sustainability of human use of the planet and the need to ensure that biodiversity considerations are fully mainstreamed (integrated and embedded) in the more prominent climate change, social and economics agendas. Meeting ambitious targets for biodiversity conservation will be an essential element of the future global biodiversity framework. This will require that biodiversity considerations are fully mainstreamed (integrated and embedded) in other sectors so that policies on climate change, poverty alleviation, and social and economic development do not have unintended consequences for biodiversity (and that biodiversity conservation contributes to these agendas). This post will lead JNCC’s work on several of the key Multi-lateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) relating to biodiversity, will oversee JNCC’s contribution to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and also aim to improve the integration of the natural environment into the UK’s international policies. The work is likely to require engagement in a wider range of agreements than hitherto in JNCC and, as a result of EU exit, is likely to require greater investment in the development of UK positions for MEA meetings than beforehand. You will develop relationships with stakeholders across core government departments and work to improve the evidence base and advice to these to improve outcomes. The focus will be developing a broad understanding of the priorities of and opportunities for stakeholders and identifying how these can be shaped to take better consideration of the natural environment. Key stakeholders include officials in the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), where the focus is the natural environment, and where appropriate with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO),and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), with emphasis on societal, economic and climate change issues. You will also work, where appropriate, across the UK with the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and contribute to supporting the work of the Four Countries Biodiversity Group. You will have a good understanding of the importance of the relationship between scientific research, evidence and policy development. You will work with specialists from across JNCC to assess and improve the existing evidence base. You will also work with your co-team leader to undertake management responsibilities and development of the International Advice team. There will be opportunity for international travel associated with this post.
Job descriptionPost Duties
• Lead and/or oversee JNCC’s work in advising governments on key biodiversity MEAs including Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and its relevant subsidiary agreements, the Ramsar Convention on wetlands, the Bern Convention and other international mechanisms such as IPBES (Inter-governmental Platform on Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services) and IUCN (the International union for the Conservation of Nature). • Increase JNCC’s contribution to addressing the related climate crisis through input to UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) 27th Conference of the Parties (CoP27) in late 2022 and positioning JNCC to provide more integrated advice on biodiversity-climate links in future • Work to integrate consideration of the natural environment into the UKs international activities • Lead on JNCC engagement with HMG and Devolved Administrations International Strategies through provision of evidence-based advice to assist government with international policy development and to assess the effectiveness of policy outcomes, and oversee work on biodiversity indicators relating to international agreements • Position JNCC as an evidence-provider / adviser on the integration of ecosystem services with social, economic and climate considerations and advise on how these can be balanced, and investment adjusted to improve biodiversity gain whilst still achieving wider societal benefits • Develop and maintain effective relationships with key international policy customers and identify priority areas for advice provision • Maintain good engagement and relationships with JNCC’s key customers and co-manage and direct the team’s capacity and skills to meet customer needs within available resources. • Jointly lead the International Advice Team (24 staff in total), manage staff and financial resources, develop individuals and ensure manageable outcome-focused delivery plans, which support the overall goals of the team. • Ensure that the team operates within JNCC’s standard corporate policies and procedures including surfacing any significant issues through corporate risks
ResponsibilitiesPlease demonstrate in your statement of suitability your reasons for applying and any other information you feel may be relevant to your application.
BehavioursWe'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Technical skillsWe'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
Benefits
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
Things you need to know
SecuritySuccessful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.
Selection process detailsThis 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, refer to the responsibilities and experience section of this advert to 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
Working for the Civil ServiceThe 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.
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