This post will have a base in either Peterborough or Aberdeen

Under current circumstances we can be flexible around remote working options until such time that we are able to return to office locations.

The successful candidate would then be expected to be able to work from one of these locations for the first six months of their employment. Flexible and remote working options can then be considered after this period.

Hours of work: Full-time

Normal minimum hours of attendance for the post are 36 hours per week over a 5-day period, Monday to Friday.

Flexi time is available. This post may also be suitable for job share. 

Annual Leave:

The annual leave allowance is 25 days per year, rising to 30 days per year after 5 years service.  There are also 12 days public and privilege leave.  Part-time staff will receive this on a pro rata basis.The annual leave allowance is 25 days per year, rising to 30 days per year after 5 years’ service. There are also 12 days public and privilege leave. Part-time staff will receive this on a pro rata basis.                  

Post Background

The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) is the statutory adviser to Government on UK and international nature conservation. One of JNCC’s key roles is the provision of biodiversity related evidence. JNCC has a vision “To be a world-leading provider of innovative solutions, placing nature at the heart of sustainable wealth and wellbeing.”

The Technical Delivery Manager will work in the Digital and Data Solutions team. The team provides support and creates innovative solutions to all digital, data and IT related work as well as providing information management advice and guidance to teams across JNCC. It leads and supports both internal and external projects across the full range of JNCC’s work and includes a small team of highly skilled developers.  The post holder will work collaboratively within JNCC and with external partners such as Defra, the Devolved Administrations, the statutory nature conservation bodies, Earth Observation Centre of Excellence, Government Digital Service to deliver innovative technical solutions.

Examples of recent and ongoing work for this team include:

• Building an open source cloud-based system to automate acquisition of raw satellite data, processing it to an ‘analysis ready’ standard and distributing it via a web interface and API.
• Looking at applying available data to specific conservation problems including detecting trends in biodiversity and using species data to predict habitat type.
• Scoping and delivery of an online Air Pollution modelling and planning platform.
• External JNCC website re-write and design of accompanying DataHub.
• Collation and on-line dissemination of marine habitat mapping and protected areas through JNCC Marine Protected Areas webGIS (https://jncc.gov.uk/our-work/marine-protected-area-mapper/) and EMODNET (emodnet-seabedhabitats.eu)

The role will involve having a good, broad understanding of JNCC’s work and particularly being able to integrate more technical delivery with a broader business understanding. A key part of the job is to help Science teams to develop their digital aspirations into deliverable solutions. The successful candidate must be a good communicator with strong project management and technical skills. Scripting and programming skills would be an advantage. An interest in nature conservation would help to put your work in context but is not a necessity.

Post Duties

The main duties of the Technical Delivery Manager post are:  

• Assist JNCC science teams in requirements gathering, business analysis, contractor evaluation, and technical liaison.
• Manage all aspects of a broad range of projects, from conception to successful delivery, both internally and through external contracts, including Marine Recorder, an online data collection and collation tool.
• Perform day-to-day management of project teams, encouraging good data practice and developing a broad range of technical skills.
• Deliver key outputs for a diverse range of technical projects at short notice.
• Oversee the technical support for ongoing business such as European reporting (Bern Convention).
• Maintain a broad understanding of JNCC business, including the adoption of new approaches and priorities (such as Natural Capital, Nature-based solutions, and Open Data).
• Maintain an overview of existing and emerging methods and research in technological approaches.
• Support colleagues within JNCC more broadly where technical expertise is required, coaching and sharing knowledge where appropriate.
• Liaise between internal/external project partners and the team, including the drafting of data flows, processes and prioritisation of work packages.

Technical

To be a successful candidate you will have:

•  A good understanding of spatial (geographic) and non-spatial data; their applications, management and lifecycle from discovery to archive.  
• A good understanding of web technologies, software/systems development, and the use of data analytics 

Experience

To be a successful candidate you will have:

• Experience in business analysis and project management - liaising effectively between technical experts and customers to prioritise and successfully deliver requirements, including the writing of technical specifications.
• Working knowledge of contract management and processes; including writing an invitation to tender, evaluating tenders and managing an effective delivery.
• Experience of managing a project budget within financial systems.
• Knowledge of business analysis principles, contractor management and digital project delivery including Agile methodologies.  
• Demonstrable ability to create and apply innovative solutions to support specific areas of business.

Behaviours

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

In the event that we receive a large volume of applications we reserve the right to conduct the sift based on the Lead Behaviour of Delivering at Pace

Please see the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/717275/CS_Behaviours_2018.pdf

Closing date and interview date

The closing date for this post is 09:00 on Monday, 22 February 2021

The anticipated interview date is Wednesday, 10 March 2021