Principal Adviser, Wildlife Licensing and HS2 Casework Manager (Ref:2742)

The majority of this role (75%) is to provide technical leadership and oversight to the wider Natural England Wildlife Licensing Service, focussing on complex licensing matters. The post holder will provide high level technical input into casework management ensuring consistency whilst also encouraging the adoption of novel approaches where these are clearly justified.

Approximately 25% of the work of this role is to oversee the delivery of the licensing needs of HS2, including the agreement of organisational, class and project licences. This will include working on complex and high profile cases. The post holder will ensure that up-to-date licensing policies are applied to the HS2 scheme that innovative approaches are adopted where relevant and are managed appropriately. The post holder will work closely with wildlife advisers within NEs dedicated HS2 advice team.

All inputs to the HS2 scheme will be funded from NE’s Service Level Agreement with HS2.

Key tasks/principal accountabilities

• Oversee and where appropriate lead on key infrastructure projects and bespoke licensing approaches
• Be the leading source of expertise and advice on protected species licensing for key infrastructure projects, complex high profile cases and bespoke licensing approaches.
• Lead on high profile complex casework including taking these through the high risk casework panel process
• QA and sign off for high profile, complex NEWLS licensing
• Development and sign off of new licensing guidance
• Input into chargeable work with a particular focus on developing and growing our offer in NEWLS
• Ensuring disease risk assessment (bTB) is considered and applied consistently in all badger licensing
• Mentoring and coaching senior advisers and lead advisers in the NEWLS Species Team
• Specialist input into Species Networks
• Working with NE’s dedicated HS2 licensing staff, oversee the planning and delivery of HS2’s licensing needs, including:
• Contribute to regular HS2 team planning sessions, to ensure HS2 licensing work runs smoothly; that decisions are robust; and that our approach draws on the latest policies and most effective techniques.
• Take responsibility for the quality assurance and sign off of HS2 licenses including
-Licence QA and sign off (Organisational and Class Licences)
-Licence Technical Assessment QA and sign off
-Consultation when advising / licensing novel mitigation measures (e.g. Sheephouse Wood Bat Mitigation Structure)
-Consultation when assessing Favourable Conservation Status at different spatial scales
• Ensure our approach to licensing of HS2 works is consistent with, and draws on, our approach to other licensing work, including latest reforms
• Help build and maintain strong working relationship with HS2, its contractors and other key stakeholders

Skills and knowledge

• A minimum of a degree (BSc) in an Ecology or Environmental subject.
• An expert knowledge of the licensing system and licensing types.
• Excellent project management skills with experience of prioritising and working under high pressure.
• In depth ecological knowledge and expertise across a range of the following species is essential; bats, great crested newts, badgers, dormouse, water vole, birds (including raptors, wildfowl and piscivorous).
• Expert knowledge of the Wildlife & Countryside Act, Protection of Badgers Act and the Habitats Regulations as well as Natural England’s wildlife licensing duties.
• An in depth understanding of wildlife licensing processes and workflow management.
• Experience in providing high level technical advice on protected species matters to developers, ecological consultants, local planning authorities or landowners is essential.
• Ability to build and maintain lasting relationships with a range of diverse stakeholders, employees, customers and professional organisations.
• Experience of taking a case through Public Inquiry or Judicial Review is desirable.
• A very high level of commercial and financial awareness.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to provide excellent customer service both internally and externally.
• Ability to innovate and suggest new ways of working.

Other information:

Location: Flexible with regular meeting in London and Bristol. This will sometimes require overnight stays.

Competencies

Competence 1
Professional competency
Communicating effectively - Expert

Description
• Use clear and appropriate language, communication styles and techniques that engage your audience
• Communicate complex or difficult messages clearly and effectively

Competence 2
Professional competency
Creating Resilient Landscapes and Seas - Expert

Description
• Apply knowledge of designated site legislation in wildlife licensing work
• Apply knowledge of the planning system in wildlife licensing work
• Apply the concept of net gain to wildlife issues
• Assess environmental impacts and identify appropriate avoidance, mitigation and/or compensation methods
• Identify opportunities to use the new licensing policies to reduce regulatory burdens and achieve better outcomes for wildlife
• Interpret and apply to your work the policies, legislation, and guidance on wildlife protection and management
• Apply technical knowledge to your work
• Carry out and contribute to relevant monitoring work

Competence 3
Professional competency
Putting people at the heart of the environment - Expert

Description
• Make sure customers’ problems are resolved whilst managing customer expectations
• Develop an understanding of the objectives and needs of our partners and customers
• Collaborate, influence and build trusting relationships to achieve pragmatic outcomes
• Understand and explain the outcomes that we seek in your local patch and how these fit in with local and national issues
• Proactively engage with businesses and communities to resolve human/wildlife conflicts

Competence 4
Professional competency
Work Delivery - Expert

Description
• Consider the financial implications of your work and seek income from our products and services
• Handle data responsibly, understand your role in good governance, and comply with delegations, policies and procedures
• Manage and deliver your work to meet agreed targets and deadlines
• See the big picture and organisational strategy so you can set your team’s work within the context of the wider organisation and beyond, and help team members to understand how their work relates and supports this
• Provide advice and guidance to colleagues
• Understand and apply relevant legislation and scheme rules to your work

Competence 5
Professional competency
Personal Effectiveness - Expert

Description
• Progress your personal development and take responsibility for keeping your knowledge and expertise current
• Identify, suggest and adopt ways to make improvements in your team and Natural England
• Be decisive, combine your professional judgement with evidence to inform your decision-making
• Apply new technology to improve the way you work
• Act positively to support the diverse needs of other people in everything you do
• Address challenging issues and manage conflict
• Share your knowledge and expertise with people in your networks (both internal and external) to help develop their capability and to improve outcomes

Competence 6
Professional competency
Skills and knowledge

Description
• A minimum of a degree (BSc) in an Ecology or Environmental subject.
• An expert knowledge of the licensing system and licensing types.
• Excellent project management skills with experience of prioritising and working under high pressure.
• In depth ecological knowledge and expertise across a range of the following species is essential; bats, great crested newts, badgers, dormouse, water vole, birds (including raptors, wildfowl and piscivorous).
• Expert knowledge of the Wildlife & Countryside Act, Protection of Badgers Act and the Habitats Regulations as well as Natural England’s wildlife licensing duties.
• An in depth understanding of wildlife licensing processes and workflow management.
• Experience in providing high level technical advice on protected species matters to developers, ecological consultants, local planning authorities or landowners is essential.
• Ability to build and maintain lasting relationships with a range of diverse stakeholders, employees, customers and professional organisations.
• Experience of taking a case through Public Inquiry or Judicial Review is desirable.
• A very high level of commercial and financial awareness.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to provide excellent customer service both internally and externally.
• Ability to innovate and suggest new ways of working.

Responsibilities

Please refer to Job Description

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension