Senior Ecosystem Evidence Specialist

Post Title: Senior Ecosystem Evidence
Specialist
Team: Ecosystem Analysis
Ref No: 2023123
Grade: S (SEO)

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. We work at
the science-policy interface, meaning our evidence-based advice, data and tools can have
substantial nature positive impacts across the UK and beyond. 

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 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

JNCC’s Ecosystems Analysis Team brings together three elements:

• A set of long-term partnerships with organisations undertaking species surveys in
  terrestrial, coastal and freshwater ecosystems using networks of volunteers.
• An analysis and modelling capability producing rapidly deployable models. These include a
  range of models focussed on predicting outcomes from changing land uses and environmental
  pressures.
• An earth observation data processing and analytical capability which is migrating from an
  initial focus on spatial mapping of habitats to detecting change within spatial frameworks of
  habitats.

The team works predominantly on terrestrial evidence needs, building on monitoring and analysis
to better understand our changing environment and to advise on nature positive pathways. The
post would work across the whole team, leading on a range of projects. It involves working
closely with partners and stakeholders to understand evidence needs and gaps and steering the
development of advice and analytical products. As such, the postholder will need to consider
the potential integration and contribution across the suite of activities within the team to
develop our understanding and application of evidence.

In particular, the postholder would lead for JNCC on the Biodiversity Pathways project, which seeks to develop projections of biodiversity change in future land use scenarios.

Post Duties

• Provide technical input and strategic steer to projects within the team, in particular the
  Biodiversity Pathways project
• Build strong external relationships with potential users of project outputs
• Manage a range of projects for the team, ensuring that staff resources are used effectively
  and that we work efficiently alongside external contractors
• Deliver outputs from the evidence-base, including case studies and proofs of concept,
  ensuring that outputs are always well-tailored to the intended audience
• Provide line management and staff development for a small number of team members
• Provide quality control and assurance for analytical projects

Technical

To be a successful candidate you will be/have:

• Good understanding of the relationship between biodiversity, ecosystems, services,
  sustainable development and benefits to society

Experience (Responsibilities)

To be a successful candidate you will have:

• Excellent analytical and writing skills, including experience of statistical analysis,
  synthesis of complex information, graphic presentation and communicating complex concepts to
  technical and non-technical audiences
• Experience of project management
• Experience working in interdisciplinary teams

Behaviours

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture
• 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 Sunday, 11 February 2024
The anticipated interview date is week commencing Monday, 26 February 2024