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Title

Pollution Project Support Adviser - 2021-55

Posted
Reference
Sectors Including Mitigation, Science & Management
Location Scotland (East) - UK
Town/City Aberdeen, Scotland, AB11 9QA : Peterborough, East of England (region), PE1 1JY
Salary Additional Information £24,250
Salary (Minimum)
24250
Salary (Maximum)
24250
Type Fixed Term and Permanent Roles
Status Full Time
Level Mid Level
Deadline 02/02/2022
Company Name Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Contact Name
Telephone 01733 562626
Joint Nature Conservation Committee logo
Directory Entry : The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) is the public body that advises the UK Government and devolved administrations on UK-wide and international nature conservation. Originally established under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. For Careers with the JNCC visit the Civil Service Career Portal.
Also Listing:
Description
JNCC have adopted a more flexible approach to working and, once we are able to return to working in our office locations, our people will have more flexibility about where they choose to work. The expectation is that we will work from our office base for 1 – 2 days a month as a minimum. 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 almost 200 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.

The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) is the statutory adviser to Government on UK and international nature conservation working at the science-policy interface.

Pollution is recognised globally as one of the top 5 drivers of biodiversity loss and its effects on people and nature are raising in profile. All UK countries have or are developing strategies to tackle chemical pollution and specifically mention the need to address interactions with biodiversity loss, ecosystem function and global issues such as land use and climate change. Now is an opportune time for someone with scientific knowledge in chemical use, pollution and ecosystems to help us deliver advice and evidence projects in the UK and internationally.

Within the Nature Conservation Policy and Advice team, JNCC leads and co-ordinates joint-working with the UK Country Nature Conservation Bodies (CNCBs), devolved administrations, research institutions and non-governmental organisations. This role will provide project and evidence support for addressing pollution effects on ecosystems over a range of scales, from local assessment to national reporting, and is driven by national and international policy.

Job description

The main focus of the post will be to provide project support to JNCC’s pollution advice programme. This includes contributions to JNCC’s advice to Defra on the 25 Year Environment Plan goals for chemicals in the environment and evidence for pollution-related targets negotiated at international level. The role will also assist with delivery of the Reducing Pollution through Partnership Official Development Assistance programme scoping project. The ODA project will scope a 3-4 year programme to support Low to Medium Income Countries to improve resilience of ecosystems through increased capacity to manage and reduce pollution. Dependent on resource, the role could continue into delivery of the programme in the low to medium income countries identified during the scoping stage.

• Coordinating evidence and advice from across JNCC teams to contribute to the Reducing Pollution through Partnership Official Development Assistance project scoping;

• Contributing to assessment, evidence and reporting on impacts from pollution;

• Contributing to advice to Government e.g. on research and evidence requirements, links between biodiversity and chemical regulation or policy;

• Collating, providing and sharing information and best practice;

• Networking with other organisations and countries.

The main focus of the post will be to provide project support to JNCC’s pollution advice programme. This includes contributions to JNCC’s advice to Defra on the 25 Year Environment Plan goals for chemicals in the environment and evidence for pollution-related targets negotiated at international level. The role will also assist with delivery of the Reducing Pollution through Partnership Official Development Assistance programme scoping project. The ODA project will scope a 3-4 year programme to support Low to Medium Income Countries to improve resilience of ecosystems through increased capacity to manage and reduce pollution. Dependent on resource, the role could continue into delivery of the programme in the low to medium income countries identified during the scoping stage.

The post holder will work closely with others including other project support advisers, the Senior Pollution Adviser and the Senior Pollution Project manager in JNCC. This post can assist on a range of projects, evidence gathering and advice requests concerning the effects of pollution on ecosystems and the targeting of measures to mitigate effects to inform policy for these areas. This will be achieved through a combination of government, CNCB and environmental NGO engagement, commissioned research and analysis of monitoring data and modelling results.

JNCC recognise that candidates may have a wide range of skills. The focus of this work is on project support and pollution impacts and solutions. Pollution and chemical effects related expertise or other technical skills such as environmental modelling, data analysis, statistical analysis and data interpretation are highly desirable. Also important are report writing skills, the ability to work with a range of stakeholders and to translate scientific outputs into policy relevant advice. The post holder will carry out the functions listed below:

• Provide meeting organisation and note taking support to the Reducing Pollution through Partnership project and other JNCC work related to pollution.

• Support the overall project through data gathering, analysis and briefings to inform key aspects of the project

• Work closely with Defra and JNCC colleagues to support delivery of workshops.

• Support development and implementation of the Reducing Pollution through Partnership communication plan. This will include design and dissemination of communication materials (e.g. social
media, non-technical reports, infographics, short videos) or commissioning this work; and

• Support the project, Defra, JNCC and local countries using technical skills (e.g. data analysis, mapping, statistical analysis data interpretation for use in policy) as needed and dependent on candidate
skill set.

In addition, and depending on experience, the post holder will:

• Assist with required data analysis, assessment and reporting on pollution impacts, economic analyses, or habitat mapping;

• Assist with communication of JNCC's pollution work through presentations, report and scientific paper publishing, websites, newsletters and other fora;

• Provide a secretariat role for internal and external working groups;

• Organise events such as meetings, workshops and webinars for internal or external participants; includes planning, logistics, facilitation, notes and reporting.

• Support to the programme and team as needed, including planning, administration, project and task management, reporting, development of funding proposals and activities to further team
cohesion.

Responsibilities

Please demonstrate in your statement of suitability your reasons for applying. You will then be asked later in this application to provide a short statement against how you meet each of the technical and experience requirements

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

  • Delivering at Pace
  • Working Together
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

  • Degree or equivalent qualification and/or relevant recent practical work experience that provides the knowledge and experience described below.
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to communicate technical information to an audience of varying levels of technical understanding and ability;
  • Ability to use standard MS Office 365 software, including Excel, databases and/or Geographic Information Systems (GIS); and
  • Understanding of statistical programmes, databases, and/or GIS to analyse, interpret and recognise patterns and trends in data to draw key conclusions and display different types of data.

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

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

This 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 CV and 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 1250 words.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

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
Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The 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.

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :
Name :   Recruitment Team
Email :   recruitment@jncc.gov.uk
 
Recruitment team :
Email :   recruitment@jncc.gov.uk

Further information

Selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles, our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of appointment on the basis of merit by fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact recruitment@jncc.gov.uk in the first instance.

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