Land Management Policy Adviser

Job Description

Post Title: Land Management Policy Adviser

Team: Nature Conservation & Policy Advice

Ref No: 202419

Grade: H (HEO)

Type of appointment: Fixed-term - 2 years

Location: Peterborough or Aberdeen

Salary: £30,573                      

This post will have a base in either Peterborough or Aberdeen.

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 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.

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. 300 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.300 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.

Hours of work:                     Full-time

Normal minimum hours of attendance for the post are 36 hours per week over a 5-day period, Monday to Friday.

Flexi time is available. This post may also be suitable for job share.

Annual Leave:

The annual leave allowance is 25 days per year, rising to 30 days per year after 5 years’ service. There are also 12 days public and privilege leave. Part-time staff will receive this on a pro rata basis.                   

Post background

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 (CNCBs), 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 where JNCC contributes complementary capabilities of evidence and advice. Within JNCC, the NCPA Team works collaboratively across the organisation delivering shared solutions, for example on protected areas, and in developing evidence-based approaches to addressing environmental threats and opportunities.

We are looking for someone with knowledge of nature conservation, environmental issues and particularly how land management is critical to achieving nature recovery across the UK. You will have the ability to rapidly understand, analyse and synthesise information from a range of sources, and help to integrate current evidence and advice into regular engagement with stakeholders. These stakeholders are the governments of the four countries of the UK the CNCBs and other government agencies, and wider stakeholders on the development of new initiatives for nature recovery and the provision of public goods (including the Environmental Land Management Scheme in England and supporting the agricultural transition in Northern Ireland).

You will need to understand the developing policy surrounding agriculture, land management and the wider environment including biodiversity. You will be involved in projects across the team and will lead specific areas, depending on your experience, skills, and interests. Your work will ensure JNCC’s evidence and advice is effectively deployed to deliver the best outcomes for nature recovery.

Post Duties

• Provide policy and technical advice, and expertise on issues relating to land use and biodiversity in the UK.
• Contribute to and support the team’s work in facilitating joint-UK working on biodiversity, protected areas, land use, and natural capital, sharing your knowledge on land management with the wider team where necessary.
• Build effective relationships with key partners and stakeholders from across the UK to deliver best outcomes for nature recovery.
• Gather and interpret developments in relevant policy areas within UK and devolved governments, country nature conservation bodies and other stakeholders particularly those involved in land management across the UK.
• Communicate effectively, for instance through presentations, reports, and scientific papers, managing web content, newsletters, and other media.
• Identify new and emerging evidence and advice needs and work with team members and other partners to develop these ideas towards funding and implementation.
• To contribute to the running of JNCC’s business through taking responsibility for any of:
  • project management support and outcome dissemination, and where necessary act as project manager,
  • convening and running joint UK groups and other project groups,
  • manage contracts, including the drafting of specifications and undertaking of procurement, in line with skills and experience.

Technical

To be a successful candidate you will be/have:

• Good understanding of the relationship between biodiversity, ecosystem services, sustainable development and benefits to society
• Knowledge of the policy and legislative framework for environment and nature conservation in the UK with a focus on farmland conservation and/or agri-environment schemes

Experience (Responsibilities)

To be a successful candidate you will have:

• Excellent evidence synthesis and writing skills, including experience of analysing complex information, graphic presentation and communicating complex concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience of working in interdisciplinary teams, including building and maintaining effective collaborative relationships
• Experience working with land managers on the ground with a high-level understanding of some of the challenges land managers face would be Desirable.

Behaviours

•    Communicating and Influencing
•    Making Effective Decisions
•    Delivering at Pace

In the event that we receive a large volume of applications we reserve the right to conduct the sift based on the Lead Behaviour of Communicating and Influencing

Please see the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/717275/CS_Behaviours_2018.pdf

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 

JNCC do not provide sponsorship.

Closing date and interview date

The closing date for this post is 23:55 on Monday, 27 May 2024

The anticipated interview date is week commencing Monday, 10 June 2024

Please note that candidates invited to interview will be asked to undertake a Test/Presentation assessment on the same day as their interview.

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