Natural Capital Ecologists x 2

Join the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and have a future that matters: Be proud; Be challenged; Be unique.

DIO is passionate about ensuring that we are a top performing organisation and a great place to work. We host a diverse range of talent where everyone feels valued and supported enabling our people to flourish, bring greater creativity and innovation to achieve higher organisational performance. We are committed to be an equal opportunities employer and creating a culture where everyone can bring their whole self to work and individuality is truly appreciated.

The Challenge

These two Natural Capital Ecologists will be part of a new sub-team within DIO Technical Services Ecology and Natural Capital Team, responsible for providing technical advice in the development of natural capital and ecosystem services policy, guidance, processes and tools including raising awareness within and outside the MOD; working with MOD staff and external partners in developing natural capital asset registers and accounts for the rural Defence estate, including a greenhouse gas budget; and supporting development and delivery of woodland creation and natural capital improvement projects across the estate, in support of the MOD’s Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach’.

The natural capital ecologist roles will focus on nature based solutions, including peatland restoration, nutrient management, natural flood management and storage of carbon. The post-holders will operate as part of the Natural Capital Team but will also work closely with the Technical Services Ecology Teams. Regular travel across the DIO delivery area and occasional overnight stays will be required.

The job holders will be instrumental in embedding natural capital and sustainable estate management into projects and estate management. The MOD’s estate is so large and varied, both within the UK and overseas, that it provides fantastic opportunities to apply and develop skills in a number of disciplines.

DIO Technical Services are based across the UK including the South West (Tilshead, Wiltshire - SP3 4RS), Midlands (Lichfield – WS14 9PY) or Catterick (DL9 3LR). We offer a flexible base location for this role and will therefore make one of these locations your duty station where possible. Where this is not possible, we will look to assign an alternative MOD establishment as your duty station, subject to availability and business needs. Discussions to take place at interview or Offer stage.

Main Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• Manage and prioritise a busy workload. Understand how your work contributes to DIO’s aims and objectives and supports defence activities. Plan and undertake appropriate training and development to ensure skills are kept up to date. Promote strong working relationships both within the DIO Ecology Team and with other teams across DIO and MOD

Identify, develop and oversee delivery of natural capital projects

• Provide advice and support in identifying, designing and delivering diverse habitat creation and restoration opportunities

• Understand and communicate funding options and standards

• Engage with MOD site staff, estates surveyors, foresters, ecologists, and heritage teams, as well as external regulators, tenants, contractors and other partners to ensure proactive and collaborative integration of rural land management objectives, and natural capital value.

• Work with partners to support &/or oversee the production and submission of habitat creation and restoration proposals and funding applications

Policy, guidance, advocacy and publicity

• Support the team leader in developing and updating MOD policies, guidance and processes on natural capital and ecosystem services

• Support advocacy of natural capital and ecosystem services within the MOD; and publicity of the MOD’s work to internal and external audiences

Natural capital asset registers and accounts

• Support development of task objectives, standards, formats, research partnerships and commercial contracts

• Support development, maintenance and reporting of natural capital asset registers and accounts for the UK and overseas Defence estate

The post will require outdoor working in remote locations across the UK and potentially overseas.

Full Driving Licence Essential - this role covers a large number of often very remote rural establishments across the UK (and potentially overseas), usually with no public transport and the postholder will need to reach and self-drive around these sites to undertake scoping and assurance surveys of the habitats, species and landscapes.

Associate Membership of CIEEM, or able to demonstrate equivalent combination of relevant specialist qualifications and experience (please see here for further information: https://cieem.net/i-am/membership/membership-grades/) This is a highly specialist technical role and candidates with less than a relevant degree and at least 2 years specialist experience (or equivalent combination) will not be suitable.

License

Essential - Full Driving Licence

Membership

Essential - Associate Membership of CIEEM, or able to demonstrate equivalent combination of relevant specialist qualifications and experience.

Closing date: 11:55 pm on Monday 21st June 2021.

APPLY HERE