Pollution Project Manager 2022-126

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 approx. 270 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.

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.  

 Short Summary: 

The main focus of the post will be to manage the AIRINDIC - Ecosystem Recovery Indicators from Air Pollution project. 

The evidence for damaging effects of air pollution on ecosystems and their function is very strong. It has been incorporated into UK country clean air strategies and targets related to habitats. This has driven action to reduce emissions near sensitive ecosystems and been a core part of the Inter-agency Air Pollution Group basis for change. The 25 Year Environment Plan utilises damage thresholds like critical loads to outline when conservation sites are receiving more nitrogen deposition that they can handle and resiliently function. 

A known gap is what recovery of habitats and wildlife populations reliant on those ecosystems looks like. The evidence for this is much less well understood. In order to drive policy change and understand when efforts are working a variety of indicators will be required to track short-term, intermediate and long-term change as a result of emission reductions. 

This project aims to bring together UK research scientists and stakeholders to:
•    Improve the evidence base for indicators of recovery from air pollution effects for individual plant and animal species as well as habitats
•    Re-establish key sampling locations to track recovery of habitats and species in the UK. These can be manipulation experiments where nitrogen was added or natural experiments such as habitats monitored near large power stations that have recently ceased operation.
•    Install co-located air quality monitoring to provide the right data for detecting recovery in these key areas
•    Develop a network or scientists, regulatory and policy leads to shape the project, assure the evidence and utilise it in policy and regulation.

The post holder will work closely with the Senior Air Pollution Adviser in JNCC and assist on a range of projects, evidence gathering and advice requests concerning the effects of air 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, country nature conservation body and environmental non-Governmental organisation engagement, commissioned research as well as analysis of air quality monitoring or modelling and ecosystem monitoring.

JNCC recognise that candidates may have a wide range of skills. The focus of this work is on air pollution impacts and solutions.  Air pollution expertise or other technical skills such as environmental modelling, data analysis, statistical analysis and data interpretation are highly desirable. Proven ability to manage projects effectively and to work with contractors to ensure delivery of the desired outputs in a very challenging time frame is essential.  Also important are report writing skills, the ability to work with a range of stakeholders and to translate scientific outputs into policy relevant advice

Post Duties:

•    Setup and manage the multi-year Ecosystem Recovery Indicators from Air Pollution project. The post holder will be the key financial and risk manager and have significant influence over the design and direction of the project.
•    Design and coordinate workshop (s) with air pollution experts to finalise the project scope and implementation plan
•    Procure and manage partners and contractors to ensure that the contract delivers robust scientific information and tools to meet current policy and operational needs. Organise and run a series of workshops designed to identify scenario options for the contractor to subsequently model
•    During the progress of the contract consider how to develop relevant advice on the outcomes for policy makers and stakeholders
•    Work with JNCC Communications Team to produce a Communication Pack for Defra and Devolved Administrations to cover UK and country specific outcomes of the project.
•    Work closely with the Senior Air Pollution Adviser and contribute to the Environmental Pollution team by sharing skills and helping shape the overall direction for JNCC’s air pollution work.

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
• Seeing the Big Picture

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

• Relevant degree (eg environmental science, conservation management) or experience to demonstrate scientific understanding
• Report writing skills, the ability to work with a range of stakeholders and to translate scientific outputs into policy relevant advice
• Ability to manage and complete multi partner projects or contracts within a challenging timeframe that include research design, specification and evidence quality assurance
• Knowledge of habitats, their monitoring and surveillance and/or skills in analysing data about environmental pressures or development of indicators
• Understanding of UK, EU and international environmental legislation and policies related to air pollution as well as broad understanding of the roles and functions of UK Government, the devolved administrations, the regulatory bodies and country nature co