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Title

Senior Biodiversity Adviser (Peterborough or Aberdeen)

Posted
Reference   (Please mention Stopdodo/Environment Jobs in your application)
Sectors Terrestrial / Aquatic Ecology & Conservation
Location England (East Anglia) - UK
Town/City Peterborough
Salary Additional Information £36,669 / Permanent
Salary (Minimum)
0
Salary (Maximum)
0
Type Fixed Term and Permanent Roles
Status Full Time
Level Senior Level
Deadline 10/10/2022
Company Name Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Contact Name
Joint Nature Conservation Committee logo
Directory Entry : The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) is the public body that advises the UK Government and devolved administrations on UK-wide and international nature conservation. Originally established under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. For Careers with the JNCC visit the Civil Service Career Portal.
Also Listing:
Description
This post will have a base in either Aberdeen or Peterborough. JNCC has adopted a hybrid working approach, allowing colleagues to benefit from time in the office, with the flexibility also to work from home. Employees are expected to work from our office base or at external meetings or events for 1 – 2 days a month as a minimum, this will vary by team and the exact balance will depend on the nature of your role. We can provide more details at the interview and offer stages

Summary

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.

Job description

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.

Responsibilities

Please demonstrate in your statement of suitability your reasons for applying. You will then be asked later in this application to provide a short statement against how you meet each of the technical and experience requirements

Behaviours

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

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

Technical skills

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.
Equality and diversity

JNCC is committed to creating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected and see this as a good place to work. JNCC has a responsibility to ensure that we have an inclusive culture where discrimination, harassment, bullying and prejudice will not be tolerated. Our selection process is determined on fair and open competition and regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership.

Continuous professional development (CPD)

Employees are encouraged to keep developing skills and professional knowledge.
JNCC has made available, and encourages employees to use, on average, five working days per annum for CPD activities with access to related funding

Leave entitlement

JNCC annual leave allowance is 25 days per annum. After five years’ service, leave entitlement increases to 30 days per annum.
In addition to annual leave, JNCC offers 12 public and privilege days per annum, three of which are explicitly reserved for office closure between Christmas and New Year.

Work/life balance

JNCC supports flexible working hours and practices to help employees strike a good balance between work life and personal life.

Our policies are family-friendly and include flexi-time, flexible working patterns, compressed hours and dispersed working. JNCC also offers paid maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave, over and above the minimum statutory entitlements. Some work/life balance benefits are available following a minimum length of service.

Any move from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

Civil Service Pension

Employees will have the opportunity to join Civil Service pension arrangements, which include a valuable range of benefits. JNCC makes a significant contribution to the cost of employee pensions.

Employee Assistance Programme

JNCC provides employees with a free and confidential support service which gives unlimited access to information, advice and emotional support to help employees prepare for and manage all of life's ups and downs, events and challenges.

Trade Union

JNCC has entered into a partnership agreement with its recognised Trade Unions: Prospect and PCS, which employees are able to join and be involved with.

Salary sacrifice schemes

Employee Discount Scheme

Civil Service Sports Club

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a statement of suitability. In your statement, show how you’re suitable for the role. Make your statement no longer than 1000 words.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
  • relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
  • certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

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

Recruitment team :

  • Email :recruitment@jncc.gov.uk

Further information

Selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles, our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of appointment on the basis of merit by fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact recruitment@jncc.gov.uk in the first instance.

 

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