Biodiversity Specialists (10 posts, four teams) 2021/45 Joint Nature Conservation Committee Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 28th June 2021
Reference number 125245
Salary £27,946
Grade Higher Executive Officer H
Contract type Permanent Fixed Term
Length of employment Various
Working pattern Full-time, Job share
Number of posts 10
Post background:
The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) provides advice and technical support to the UK Government, the Overseas Territories and other international partners to implement Multi-lateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), and build capacity through UK and international partnerships, and project implementation, to manage and enhance biodiversity. Key aspects of its advisory and implementation roles are to develop and implement the concepts of ‘nature-based solutions’ and ‘natural capital’ in the UK and overseas – particularly in response to climate change – and to deploy UK science and technology at its best to build effective partnerships at home and abroad to enhance the understanding of the value of biodiversity to all sectors of society.
Modelling, mapping and valuing ecosystem services in the UK and overseas, are at the heart of our project implementation roles. A major focus of our advice role to UK Government is the post-2020 Global Biodiversity framework and the need to produce and advise on the use of biodiversity indicators in UK and MEA reporting.
JNCC is significantly enhancing its international and UK capacity to provide advice and implement projects through the recruitment of ten highly motivated individuals to join four of its teams - International Advice, Ecosystems Advice, International Implementation and Nature Conservation Policy & Advice. The four teams are inter- disciplinary, bringing together skills in biodiversity science, advice to government, biodiversity monitoring, rapid data analysis and model deployment, and earth observation alongside international community engagement and on-the ground project implementation in the UK’s Overseas Territories and South America.
The precise duties and responsibilities for each post will be determined depending on the skills of successful candidates all of whom will be will be expected to have been educated to degree level and have a good understanding of biodiversity issues with international work or research experience an advantage. Post holders will be expected to be highly flexible, willing to work with marine and terrestrial advice and project implementation roles, to engage in long- and short-term projects and frequently working to tight and demanding deadlines. Overseas travel will be required for some posts.
Job description
There are 10 posts being advertised as part of this recruitment. The nature and specific duties of each post are summarised below, but the precise duties and responsibilities of each post will be determined depending on the skills of successful candidates. We will assess all applications for any of the roles listed below. Candidates are asked to state a preference under the Personal Statement section of the application but should be aware that these may not necessarily be taken into account.
1. Evidence Specialist, Ecosystem Analysis (one permanent post)
• Collate and analyse information from stakeholders to help identify their evidence needs
• Research options for tackling evidence needs, drawing together internal and external sources of expertise
• Design and produce outputs from the evidence-base, including case studies, proofs of concept, evidence for policy summaries, tools, standards, and research reports or published research, working collaboratively with others
• Manage work packages for the team or other teams in JNCC, ensuring that staff resources are used effectively and that we work efficiently alongside external contractors
• Provide quality control and assurance for analytical projects
2. International Biodiversity Adviser, International Advice (four permanent posts)
· Provide advice on issues relating to international biodiversity
· Prepare for international MEA meetings including assisting in drafting documents, gathering and analysing relevant evidence, and preparing briefings for UK delegations
· Develop a detailed knowledge of one or more MEAs and how they operate, build relationships across delegations, and build knowledge of the evidence base that influences the MEA
· Contribute to projects related to the work of the team including on climate change, nature-based solutions and strategy development
• Contribute generally to the work of the International Advice Team as required, including updating relevant web content; and
· Potentially, contributing to the work of the CITES licensing team.
3. International Biodiversity Officers, International Implementation Team (3 posts: 1 permanent: 2 are 2 year fixed-term appointments with the possibility of extension)
• Work with a broad range of international partners and stakeholders in Overseas Territories and South American projects designed to support landscape scape decision making and climate change resilience/adaptation
• Coordinate meetings with international partners and audiences and maintaining and cultivating networks
• Support the team’s administration tasks critical to effective running of projects,
• Support identification and development of strategic international opportunities for the Team and JNCC
• Work routinely with colleagues in the UK Overseas Territories, Defra and FCDO NGOs and private sector partners
• Undertake project management and project/team level financial reporting.
4. Environmental pollution advisers, Nature Conservation Policy & Advice Team (2 posts: 2 year fixed-term appointments with the possibility of extension)
• Manage project elements in the Defra ODA ‘Reducing Pollution through Partnership’ project such as the options appraisal to identify which low to medium income countries to work in and the types of interventions to undertake
• Work closely with Defra and JNCC colleagues to design and implement workshops required to deliver the project
• Support development and implementation of the Reducing Pollution through Partnership communication plan
• Support the project, Defra, JNCC and local countries using technical skills (e.g., data analysis, mapping, statistical analysis data interpretation for use in policy) as needed and dependent on candidate skill set
• Manage contracts including procurement (specification, tendering and letting contracts, with support from our procurement specialists)
• Support to the programme and team as needed, including planning, administration, project and task management, reporting, development of funding proposals and activities to further team cohesion.
Responsibilities
Please see the technical skills area:
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Making Effective Decisions
Changing and Improving
Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace
Working Together
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
A good understanding of the components of biodiversity and how these can be related to the services provided to society and to natural capital values.
A good understanding of the pressures and impacts on biodiversity and how these might affect sustainable development based on examples either within the UK, or within our overseas territories, or other countries
A logical analytical approach to understand complex scientific or societal issues and identify the knowledge and evidence needed to inform them
Good writing skills and be able to synthesise complex information and communicate concepts to technical and non-technical audiences
An ability to engage with stakeholders and partners, determine their priorities and work collaboratively with them
Project and financial management experience
Benefits
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
Things you need to know
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 CV and a statement of suitability. In your statement, refer to the responsibilities and experience section of this advert to show how you’re suitable for the role. Make your statement no longer than 1000 words.
The anticipated interview date is during week commencing Monday, 19 July 2021
There may be a test required, details will be supplied if you are invited to interview.
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 (or eligible for) status under 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.
Apply and further information
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 TeamEmail : 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.
Attachments
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