Senior Biodiversity Adviser (Peterborough or Aberdeen)

Why JNCC?

We’re small enough (c.270 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.  

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.  The environment is a devolved function of the four countries of the UK, and the NCPA team operates both bilaterally with individual countries and at UK level in several ways. We maintain an overview of UK nature conservation policy and legislation; facilitate, convene and, where required, co-ordinate joint working on key topics; and work with UK countries on areas of priority delivery, and where JNCC contributes complimentary capabilities of evidence and advice.

The Senior Biodiversity Adviser will play a key role in supporting the work of the team advising on biodiversity issues in the UK and will work on a range of projects across different work areas. You will focus on engagement with the four countries in the UK on matters relating to protected species, protected areas and reporting at a UK level.

One of JNCC’s roles is to work with the CNCBs to provide evidence and advice to inform policy, as conservation outcomes need to be underpinned by good evidence. You will manage a series of projects and a small team gathering, managing and analysing nature conservation data in order to form advice to governments. You will project manage JNCC’s work under the Habitats Regulations environmental governance (e.g. reporting) and work on threatened species at a GB level, in collaboration with key NGOs.

The range of work which is covered in the Nature Conservation Policy and Advice Team is broad.  We are looking for someone who has the skills to perform the duties listed below, but there is room in this role to develop your own capabilities alongside your experienced colleagues and through training and professional development. You will carry out a range of functions involved in joint UK work; working with the four UK countries to deliver nature conservation evidence.

 You will need to have a good understanding of the importance of the relationship between scientific research, evidence and policy development.  You will be working collaboratively with members of NCPA team, other teams within JNCC as well as with the CNCBs and officials from the UK and devolved governments.  You will need to work with a wide range of specialists and stakeholders to undertake policy analysis and contribute to developing practical advice in a fast-moving policy environment.

 A primary task of the role is to project manage JNCCs work in relation to UK reporting obligations under the Habitats Regulations and our working at a GB level on threatened species. You will also work closely with a cross - CNCB Red List Group. You will oversee the development of new red lists, and become familiar with the red lists assessment process, including the use of the IUCN’s Species Information System (SIS) and manage associated data/evidence.

Communication is an essential part of this job and requires an ability to work with a range of people and discuss nature conservation science options. You should have the ability to analyse new government policy and help advise on conservation data implications.

Post Duties

•    Project manage the delivery of UK reports relating to the conservation status of habitats and species in relation to the Habitats Regulations 2017, working with CNCBs and key stakeholders;

•    Manage the development of GB level red lists including the use of the IUCN red list criteria for assessing the threat of extinction of species;

•    Enhance and disseminate information on the status of all GB species, including threatened status and existing conservation designations;

•    Lead periodic work on the review of UK legislation including Schedules 5, 8 (QQR) and 9 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act (1981).

•    Manage a small team to deliver work relating to the above tasks, including formal line management;

•    Support the NCPA team and wider JNCC by gathering and interpreting intelligence in relevant policy areas within UK government, devolved administrations, country nature conservation bodies and other stakeholders; and

•    Provide policy and technical advice and expertise on species and protected areas issues relating to biodiversity in the UK.

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service

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

• Educated to degree level or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject and/or relevant recent practical work experience that provides the following knowledge, experience and behaviours
• Good knowledge of ecology and environmental issues in the UK, with in-depth knowledge in at least one topic (e.g. plant/animal ecology, a species or habitat specialism; protected sites; farmland conservation/agri-environment);
• Experience in critically reviewing scientific information, appraise and effectively communicate uncertainty and provide high quality, risk- based, impartial advice
• Good knowledge of existing and emerging UK and international environmental legislation and policies
• Broad understanding of the roles and functions of UK Government, the devolved administrations, the regulatory bodies, and the country statutory nature conservation bodies.

Job contact :

• Name :Recruitment Team
• Email :recruitment@jncc.gov.uk

Recruitment team :

• Email :recruitment@jncc.gov.uk