Principal Scientific Advisor

Job description

The Principal Scientific Advisor will lead on the analysis and evaluation of relevant
environmental scientific research and advice to inform our scrutiny of the implementation of
environmental law in Scotland. The post is also responsible for establishing and maintaining
strong working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and partners who can provide us
with the evidence, expertise and advice that we need to undertake our role. The successful
applicant will play an important role in helping to promote and explain the function and remit
of Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) and to establish the organisation as a trusted and effective oversight body in the
post-Brexit landscape. 

The post is situated within the Strategy and Analysis team and will report directly to the C2
Head of Strategy and Analysis. The post currently carries direct line management responsibility
for a B3 analyst. However, the team also operates an informal matrix management approach to its
work (drawing in knowledge and skills from across the team and the wider organisation) and
will, at times, have a role in co-ordinating the input of other staff to particular analytical
projects and tasks.

What will the successful candidate be doing?

This is a key role within ESS, helping to guide the implementation and development of our
approach to the monitoring, analysis and evaluation of environmental performance in Scotland.
The post holder will be responsible for the provision of advice to senior management and the
ESS Board on developments in scientific research and knowledge, environmental policy, law and
technology, both in Scotland and internationally. The postholder will ensure that ESS is
informed about relevant research findings and developments in science, policy and regulatory
practice to enable the organisation to bring about positive change to the way that
environmental law is implemented – to enable Scotland to achieve its ambitions for the
environment and climate change. 

The postholder will be joining ESS at an important time, with an ambitious programme of work
planned on a range of analytical priorities identified in the first Strategic Plan (Priorities for
Analysis – Environmental Standards Scotland). In addition, the postholder will contribute
to the development of ESS’ next Strategic Plan and will be involved in refining and developing
the approach to monitoring and analysis – ensuring that findings are robust and that ESS’ work
reflects the latest developments in understanding of a broad range of environmental topics. 

Essential Criteria

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex
  scientific evidence clearly and succinctly to senior decision makers and non-scientists. An
  understanding of knowledge exchange in environmental science and/or related areas. 
• Strong analytical skills and recent experience in the use of scientific evidence and the
  application of science to support policy, regulatory and/or operational decisions.
• Proven experience in developing and maintaining productive and high quality relationships
  with a range of internal and external stakeholders. The ability to adopt a collaborative
  approach to influence decision making to achieve a common purpose.
• Strong leadership skills, including: the ability to build and develop a team; to deploy
  resources effectively to meet competing demands; and to promote collaborative working within
  and across teams. 

Qualifications Required

A degree in a scientific discipline relevant to environment or natural resources, and a
postgraduate Masters and/or PhD in that field. 

Other qualifications equivalent to these may also be acceptable, if you are in any doubt please
contact the Recruiting Manager named at the bottom of the advert to discuss. 

Please note: If you fail to demonstrate how you meet the minimum qualifications as stated
above, your application will be automatically sifted out.

Person specification

The organisation will carry out its role by:

• monitoring information about the quality of the environment in Scotland and the
  effectiveness of environmental law, including representations brought forward by citizens and
  interested groups
• seeking information from public authorities, including the Scottish Government, and working
  with the public authorities to understand the background to regulatory policies and practices
• selecting a small number of cases for detailed investigation, prioritising cases where
  there is the greatest risk to the environment
• working with public authorities, where necessary, to seek to agree changes in practice to
  reflect environmental law, or develop advice on recommended changes to the law to improve its
  effectiveness

The role of the Strategy and Analysis team is to provide focused and applied analysis of
evidence on environmental performance and change to help ESS identify problems with the
implementation of environmental laws and how that might be improved. The team primarily manage
knowledge by synthesising existing data, intelligence and research to identify: 

• potential shortcomings in the effectiveness and application of environmental law
• areas and issues where further investigation is necessary
• where lessons might be learnt from approaches elsewhere to improve compliance and/or
  effectiveness

The team includes staff with a range of specialist analytical skills and professions, but with
a common focus on drawing together knowledge and insights from different sources, disciplines
and types of analysis to inform ESS’ scrutiny of the implementation of environmental law in
Scotland. 

Key duties and responsibilities will include: 

• setting and maintaining high standards of integrity and professionalism, and ensuring ESS
  operates a rigorous approach to the use of scientific evidence and understanding to inform
  published findings
• leading the organisation’s approach to identifying, and then summarising, interpreting and
  presenting relevant scientific research on priority matters of concern to ESS
• leading the undertaking or commissioning of rapid evidence and literature reviews to
  provide ESS with the latest scientific knowledge to support analysis and investigation of
  matters of concern
• leading engagement with relevant topic experts to access support, advice and opinion on the
  application of relevant science within regulatory environments
• working with partners and other agencies to identify and then influence the commissioning
  of research and analysis to ensure that gaps in ESS’ collective knowledge of environmental
  performance and change are addressed
• contributing to the operation of an effective ‘horizon-scanning’ system to ensure that ESS
  is linked into relevant networks for scientific knowledge exchange and regulatory/policy
  improvement, and is well-informed about emerging issues of environmental concern within
  Scotland and internationally
• representing ESS and helping to build effective relationships within the research community
  in Scotland and beyond including Scotland’s environmental research institutes, universities and
  colleges, the Scottish Government and its agencies, and environmental non-governmental
  organisations;
• ensuring close working and collaboration across the Strategy and Analysis team, and with
  the Investigation, Standards and Compliance team, to contribute to the analysis and
  investigation of key environmental concerns, ensuring that relevant scientific research and
  practice developments are taken into account
• representing ESS with a wide range of external contacts, promoting understanding of its
  function, role and approach with public authorities, environmental organisations and community
  and landowner/industry representatives
• working collaboratively and flexibly as required, as part of the wider ESS team, to support
  the successful fulfilment of the organisation’s role and the development of effective and
  efficient processes and systems within ESS
• line managing and leading staff to ensure an inclusive team culture. Encouraging
  innovation, capturing ideas for improvement and promoting professional development so that
  people can develop and grow within their careers while delivering for ESS

Technical skills

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Communications & Engagement
• Analysis and Use of Evidence
• Improving Performance
• Leading Others

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £56,020, Environmental Standards Scotland contributes £15,125 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Benefits

ESS is a small organisation focused on ensuring Scotland achieves the highest environmental
standards. We seek skilled individuals who have a passion for improving environmental standards
through public service, and that can work as part of a small multidisciplinary team.

In return, we offer a competitive employment package, including the civil service pension and a
strong commitment to investing in each member of our teams personal and professional
development. We also offer opportunities to work on some of the most significant and meaningful
environmental challenges facing us today and the chance to play a part in helping to improve
the quality of the environment for the people of Scotland. 

As a new organisation we are building a culture that encourages inclusion and diversity and
welcome applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds.