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

This post will have a base in Peterborough. The successful candidate would then be expected to be able to work from this location for the first six months of their employment. Flexible and remote working options can then be considered after this period

Flexible and remote working options can then be considered after this period. The post-holder may be required to attend meetings at various localities in the UK, and potentially internationally, involving overnight stays away from home.

What is JNCC?

We’re the environment’s best kept secret. Established in 1990, we’re the UK’s statutory adviser on issues affecting the natural environment across the UK and internationally. Our primary role is advising all four Governments of the UK. With most of our work being within Government, our public profile is low but our impact is high.  Our combination of scientific and analytical excellence with deep knowledge of how to facilitate joint working across jurisdictions allows us to deliver a much-valued service to the UK and other governments.

What’s the role?

The Nature Conservation Policy and Advice team is one of the newest in JNCC, and has begun life at one of the most exciting times in the history of working in the environmental sector.  Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, environmental policy and legislation is likely to change and evolve rapidly to meet the new demands of operating outside of the EU’s framework, both in domestic and international settings. Furthermore, since environmental matters are a devolved function, policy may become increasingly divergent across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

JNCC’s Nature Conservation Policy and Advice team operates at the heart of this activity, assisting the four countries of the UK realise their environmental ambitions, working bilaterally with each country on key policy areas, and with all four countries collectively where JNCC can be an effective co-ordinator and facilitator at the UK scale.  Increasingly UK Government is developing its ambition to be a global leader in the environment, and JNCC is a key player, providing evidence and policy advice to government departments, and in international environmental initiatives.

The Nature Conservation Policy and Advice team brings together several major work areas in JNCC.  We integrate UK efforts on protected sites, habitats and species, such as through the guidelines for Sites of Special Scientific Interest and UK advice on the national network of Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas. This is closely allied to our work in building the evidence base for landscape scale, natural capital orientated approaches to land management, engaging across the UK as each country develops incentives to meet environmental commitments outside of the Common Agricultural Policy. We are developing JNCC’s role as the interface for four country working on the ecosystem impacts of air pollution, developing effective tools and evidence to more effectively meet pollution reduction commitments. At this critical time of change, we examine the development of emerging legislation and policy in the UK and devolved governments, assess its implications for JNCC, and communicate widely across the organisation.  These key work areas are implemented through the prism of climate change and the biodiversity crisis, where traditional approaches to nature conservation will need to change and adapt, to meet to the challenges ahead.

As the post holder you will help us deliver these work areas, and integrate them both within the NCPA team, and across JNCC in interdisciplinary approaches. You will have the opportunity to lead key packages of work, and to develop your own skills as you grow in the role. Working interactively in the NCPA team and with other teams in JNCC, you will get the opportunity to implement innovative solutions that make a real difference to the people and environments that we work with.  Better still, you will get to work in a dedicated and focussed team, helping to shape the new architecture of nature conservation in the UK.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for people with a good all-round knowledge of nature conservation and environmental issues in the UK, with a good grasp of what the future might hold, in addressing the environmental challenges and ambitions in the UK and its constituent countries.  You will also need to be comfortable working with uncertainty, and the ambiguity of a fast-changing sector. Ideally you will have experience of at least one of: terrestrial protected sites; terrestrial habitats and/or species; farmland conservation/agri-environment; air or chemical pollution, and an aptitude to develop your skills and knowledge across the team’s main work areas. 

Equally important, you will have good inter-personal skills, and be comfortable with working with people of different levels of seniority in partner organisations and governments, coupled with a sound ability to communicate, tailoring what you present to specialist and non-specialist audiences alike. Full details of the role are included in the job description.

Why JNCC?

We’re small enough (around 200 staff) that you’ll know everyone by name, but big enough that we have all the skills, resources and people you’ll need to get the job done. We are flexible and welcoming, and we focus on supporting our staff with the freedom and tools they need to flourish. You will benefit from our inclusive and lively workplace culture, training and CPD opportunities, excellent holiday and pension benefits, as well as an exciting job in a unique environment.

Assessment

We will assess you against the Behaviours listed below, and the Experience and Technical requirements outlined in the Post Details.

Behaviours

•   Making Effective Decisions
•   Delivering at Pace
•   Working Together
•   Communicating and Influencing
•   Seeing the Big Picture

Presentation

If you are invited to interview you will also have the chance to present a short presentation, the title of which will be given to you ahead of the interview.

Interviews

The closing date for this post is 09:00 on Friday, 08 January 2021

The anticipated interview dates are Friday 22 January and Monday 25 January 2021

To apply please visit our website at https://jncc.gov.uk/about-jncc/careers/ where you can download the Application Form, Equality & Diversity Form and Job Description, and find further information on How to apply.

Please be aware that at this time interviews may take place either over the phone or by video conference. We will aim to give you a minimum of 5 days’ notice before inviting any candidate for interview but please be aware that this may not be possible, and interviews may have to be changed at short notice.