mNCEA Programme Manager 202409

This is an exciting opportunity to work on the Defra-led Marine Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (mNCEA) programme, that looks to accelerate nature recovery, growth, and delivery of nature’s benefits by transforming marine monitoring, evidence and decision making. 

You will work with a range of experts, such as analysts, ecologists, mappers, and environmental economists, to successfully deliver JNCC’s mNCEA projects on time and to budget. You will manage existing and new plans, tracking progress, budgets, and risks, whilst keeping the team’s focus on benefits and outcomes, as well as milestones. You will provide regular reporting and communication (internally and to our partners and customers) and help to plan the ongoing work of the programme. 

This is an opportunity for someone who has already built up project management experience to manage an ambitious and pioneering programme of work, alongside highly skilled and supportive colleagues across JNCC and our Partner organisations.

The three-year Marine Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (mNCEA) programme looks to lead the way in integrating natural capital approaches into decision making for the marine environment. Following on from the first two years of the programme, (alongside a successful pilot year in 2021-22) we are now working towards completion of year three of the programme and exploring opportunities to continue the work and embed the approach into JNCC’s wider portfolio. 

The programme supports Government ambitions to incorporate nature into national accounts and decision-making processes. 

Vision: A thriving marine environment where nature is at the heart of decision-making. 

Mission: To accelerate nature recovery and the growth of nature’s benefits by transforming evidence and decision making.
This post is dedicated to ensuring the success of JNCC’s mNCEA projects, which are currently funded to March 2025.  JNCC is in the process of improving its project and programme management excellence; if our mNCEA portfolio does not continue, or changes, after then, we have other opportunities at the same grade, of similar levels of importance and interest, which we expect to be available.

Post Duties

The Project Manager is responsible for coordinating and supporting multidisciplinary teams to successfully deliver JNCC’s mNCEA projects on time and to budget across their lifecycle, from inception to close. The post-holder will have responsibility for managing these projects through day-to-day team and customer engagement to ensure they deliver quality outcomes. They will be the key contact for managing plans, risks, issues and associated controls, while providing regular reporting and communication using tailored project management tools and approaches.

•    Manage end-to-end delivery, working closely with project managers to ensure successful delivery across multiple disciplines and teams.

•    Ensure flexible, scalable approaches are employed throughout project delivery, setting up proportionate governance, drafting project assurance documentation, and managing the planning and delivery of outputs in accordance with best practice, and JNCC and customer requirements.

•    Track and manage project progress and budget, providing helpful and accurate reporting.

•    Work collaboratively with team members, customers, and stakeholders, to ensure projects are appropriately controlled and managed, ensuring delivery to quality, time, and cost.

•    Manage plans, risks, issues, and dependencies with effective escalation where necessary, ensuring proactive ownership to resolution. 

•    Maintain the quality and momentum of projects, ensuring that all change is benefits-led and strategically aligned.

•    Build and manage relationships with project stakeholders across all layers within customer organisations.

•    Develop a broad understanding of relevant government policy, and coordinate JNCC’s input to support impactful decision-making.

•    Oversee project development, ensuring effective collaboration with all colleagues and teams.

•    Manage team dynamics, encouraging collaboration and shared ownership throughout the team. Deal with conflict and help establish a positive team culture.