Natural Capital Policy Adviser

Post Title: Natural Capital Policy
Adviser
Team: Nature Conservation & Policy Advice
Ref No: 202422
Grade: H (HEO)
Type of appointment: Fixed-term – 2 years
Location: Peterborough or Aberdeen
Salary: £30,573

This post will have a base in either Peterborough or Aberdeen.

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 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.

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. 300 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.300 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.

Hours of work: Full-time

Normal minimum hours of attendance for the post are 36 hours per week over a 5-day period,
Monday to Friday.

Flexi time is available. This post may also be suitable for job share.

Annual Leave:

The annual leave allowance is 25 days per year, rising to 30 days per year after 5 years’
service. There are also 12 days public and privilege leave. Part-time staff will receive this
on a pro rata basis.

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. We
maintain an overview of UK nature conservation policy and legislation; facilitate, convene and,
where required, co-ordinate joint UK working on key topics; and work with UK countries on areas
of priority where JNCC contributes complementary capabilities of evidence and advice. Within
JNCC, the NCPA Team works collaboratively across the organisation delivering shared solutions,
for example on protected areas, and in developing evidence-based approaches to addressing
environmental threats and opportunities.

We are looking for someone with knowledge of nature conservation and environmental issues, and
with a good grasp of what the future might hold in addressing the environmental challenges and
ambitions in the UK. You will have the ability to rapidly understand, analyse and synthesise
information from a range of sources, while integrating current evidence and advice into regular
engagement with stakeholders. These stakeholders are the governments of the four countries of
the UK the CNCBs and other government agencies, and wider stakeholders on the development of
new initiatives for nature recovery and the provision of public goods (including the
Environmental Land Management Scheme in England and supporting the agricultural transition in
Northern Ireland). Your work will ensure JNCC’s evidence and advice is effectively deployed to
deliver the best outcomes for nature recovery.

You will need to understand the developing policy surrounding biodiversity, agriculture, the
wider environment, and of the supporting science and evidence. You will be involved in projects
across the team and will lead specific areas, depending on your experience, skills, and
interests.

Post Duties

• Provide policy and technical advice and expertise on issues relating to biodiversity in the
  UK.
• Understand and help shape the team’s priorities through joint-UK working on biodiversity,
  protected areas, land use, and natural capital, by identifying innovative solutions and build
  relationships with key partners and stakeholders from across the UK to deliver best outcomes
  for nature recovery.
• Gather and interpret information in relevant policy areas within UK and devolved
  governments, country nature conservation bodies and other stakeholders.
• Collate, manage and quality assure data and related databases on key areas of delivery.
• Communicate effectively, for instance through presentations, reports, and scientific
  papers, managing web content, newsletters, and other media.
• Identify new and emerging evidence and advice needs and work with team members and other
  partners to develop these ideas towards funding and implementation.

To contribute to the running of JNCC’s business through taking responsibility for any
of:

• project management support and outcome dissemination, and where necessary act as project
  manager,
• convening and running joint UK groups and other project groups,
• manage contracts, including the drafting of specifications and undertaking of procurement,
  in line with skills and experience.

Technical

To be a successful candidate you will have:

• An understanding of natural capital and ecosystems services concepts, how these concepts
  relate to nature conservation and more broadly across society.
• Knowledge of the policy and legislative framework for environment and nature conservation
  in the UK.

Experience (Responsibilities)

To be a successful candidate you will have:

• Excellent evidence synthesis and writing skills, including experience of analysing complex
  information, graphic presentation and communicating complex concepts to technical and
  non-technical audiences.
• Experience of working in interdisciplinary teams, including building and maintaining
  effective collaborative relationships.

Behaviours

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and influencing
• Delivering at Pace

In the event that we receive a large volume of applications we reserve the right to conduct the
sift based on the Lead Behaviour of Making Effective Decisions

Please see the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade.

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

JNCC do not provide sponsorship.

Closing date and interview date

The closing date for this post is 23:55 on Monday, 06 May 2024

The anticipated interview date is week commencing Monday, 20 May 2024

Please note that candidates invited to interview will be asked to undertake a
Test/Presentation assessment on the same day as their interview.