Sustainable Development Senior Adviser

At Natural England, we advise the UK Government on the natural environment. We’re here to make sure people and nature can thrive. From advising farmers on sustainable land management, to gathering and analysing environmental data, and promoting health and wellbeing through the great outdoors, we love what we do. Join us and you’ll be part of an inclusive, motivated and ambitious team, committed to achieving results for our environment, for everyone. 

Natural England has an important role in enabling our Thames Solent local authorities and other plan-makers to embed nature into a range of place-based plans, and you will be central to shaping strong partnerships to drive this ambition.

We need candidates who enjoy working and collaborating with others and feel passionate about helping to shape improved outcomes for nature. You will work closely with colleagues not just from the Thames Solent Area Team but from across the business to maximise opportunities for nature and access to nature in a range of plans and strategies. The roles will be supported with a suite of learning and development activities.

You will need to be flexible and opportunistic in the role Natural England plays and be responsive to the needs of our local partners. It’s a fantastic opportunity to use your previous experience and any transferable skills to bring people and nature together in an inclusive and collaborative way, to help develop strategic approaches that ensure that people from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds and diverse communities are able to experience the benefits of the natural environment.

To be a success in this role, you’ll be educated to degree level in a relevant discipline or possess an equivalent level of applied experience. You should have substantial technical expertise of the town and country planning system, legislation, national policy and guidance, and be skilled at assessing the environmental impacts of large complex developments and spatial plans. It’s essential that you possess a good understanding of the natural environment including ecology, biodiversity, landscape and soils, while knowledge of domestic policies, legislative frameworks and drivers for the marine environment, coastal zones and marine protected areas would be desirable.

We welcome and encourage applications from all communities and, wherever possible, we accommodate requests for both full and part-time hours and other flexible working patterns.

Everyone at Natural England is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. You can also look forward to great benefits including a Civil Service pension.

If you’re inspired to protect and enhance England’s wildlife and want to work for a leading science-led organisation, apply here.