Natural England’s Specialist Services and Programmes Team (SSP) is a national team that leads on the development and application of natural, economic and social science and evidence to provide advice to support delivery, particularly on complex, high-risk issues.
A challenging, but rewarding role working with an experienced and knowledgeable team of marine ornithologists to provide a resilient specialist advice service in the field of marine renewables. The post holder will interpret evidence to provide expert, practical advice to stakeholders and colleagues within Natural England. They will work to enhance and apply the evidence base across this specialism with the aim of protecting and enhancing nature, specifically seabirds and coastal water birds.
Key tasks/principal accountabilities
• Maintain an understanding of Natural England’s needs for the evidence base related to marine ornithology, particularly, to inform ornithological advice in regards to terrestrial and marine planning (including major NSIPs).
• Maintain an overview of the state of the relevant evidence base with particular reference to ornithological interests and potential impacts of activities on those interests, with an understanding of where our evidence is strong, where issues are under contention and where we have little or no evidence.
• Analyse and apply the evidence base to inform support and advice to Area teams, industry, Defra, local Authorities and Government Departments; including identifying any risks associated with the evidence, for example, gaps in evidence base, ‘expert opinion’ without external sense checks, etc.
• Utilise the evidence to help other bodies deliver their role and responsibilities including the Marine Management Organisation and Joint Nature Conservation Committee.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the protection afforded to birds and bird habitats resulting from national and EU-level legislation and accompanying regulations / statutory instruments e.g. Birds Directive, Habs Regs, Wildlife and Countryside Act (amended by CRoW), Marine and Coastal Access Act, MSFD (Marine Strategy Framework Directive).
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the terrestrial and coastal protected sites network and further designation programmes / reviews; with particular reference to planning interactions / impacts.
• Actively lead in the development, formation and running of a Natural England Birds Network. Co-ordinating with the other Ornithologists to ensure its evolution to meet current organisational needs. This will include active development and management of the SharePoint site.
• Work closely with other Natural England ornithologists, Marine and Terrestrial, to ensure the provision of specialist ornithological advice is consistent, timely and effective and individual work programmes are integrated.
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