Biodiversity Data Coordinator 2022-109

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. 270 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.270 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.  

Post Summary

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, 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 delivery, and where JNCC contributes complimentary capabilities of evidence and advice.

 JNCC wishes to appoint a biodiversity data coordinator working in the NCPA team. You will play a key role in supporting the work of the team advising on biodiversity issues in the UK and will work on a range of projects across different work areas.

 One of JNCC’s roles is to work with the country nature conservation bodies to provide evidence and advice to inform policy. You will focus on data and how it can be combined with other evidence as well as support the associated activities of gathering, managing and analysing nature conservation data and contributing to working with the Country Nature Conservation Bodies (CNCBs) and eNGOs.

 You will help develop JNCC’s capability to manage and mitigate threats in terrestrial and marine ecosystems, dealing with advice requests, and gathering evidence to inform policy for these areas.

 You will also support JNCC’s duties under the Habitats Regulations (e.g. reporting), biodiversity policies and their relationship where relevant to multi-lateral environmental agreements (e.g. Convention on Biological Diversity and Bern Convention).

You will need to have a good understanding of the importance of the relationship between scientific research, evidence and policy development.  You will be working collaboratively with members of NCPA team, other teams within JNCC as well as with the SNCBs and officials from the UK and devolved governments.  You will need to work with a wide range of specialists and stakeholders to undertake policy analysis and contribute to developing practical advice in a fast-moving policy environment.

A primary task of the role is to help collate, manage, analyse data and report results. A range of species data exists but are often fragmented e.g. JNCC designations spreadsheet, GB Red Lists, National Biodiversity Network (distribution, taxonomy), and species abundances and trends. The species database project collates these data for use within the team and JNCC. 

JNCC chairs the Inter-agency Red List Group. Red list data are stored using the bespoke IUCN red list database, Species Information System (SIS). You will become familiar with the uses of SIS through online training and engagement with the Red List Unit, Cambridge. New red list assessments are managed through contracts with specialists. The postholder will initiate and manage these contracts as well as assess and assure the quality of completed red list contracts according to the IUCN specifications. The postholder will be expected to complete the online Red List training which explains the criteria used to categorise species. 

Communication is an essential part of this job and requires an ability to work with a range of people and discuss nature conservation science options. You should have the ability to analyse new government policy and help advise on conservation data implications. The postholder will cover research topics for the team, undertake literature reviews and write up reports and briefings.

The range of work which is covered in the NCPA Team is broad.  We are looking for someone who has the skills to perform the listed duties, but there is room in this role to develop your own capabilities alongside your experienced colleagues and through training and professional development. You will carry out a range of functions involved in joint UK work; working with the four UK countries to deliver nature conservation evidence. A summary of the post is:

•    collate, manage and quality-assure data and related databases, including identifying new and emerging evidence and advice needs on key areas of delivery;
•    become familiar with the use of the IUCN red list criteria for assessing the threat of extinction of species and lead on this work; 
•    engage with governments, devolved administrations and the Country Nature Conservation Bodies (through inter-agency groups) and eNGOs on the development of new funding regimes for nature recovery and the provision of public goods (including Environmental Land Management in England), ensuring JNCC’s evidence and policy advice is effectively deployed;
•    facilitate joint-UK work on protected areas, JNCC’s duties under the Habitats Regulations, environmental governance (e.g. reporting), biodiversity policies; and their relationship where relevant to multi-lateral environmental agreements (e.g. Convention on Biological Diversity and Bern Convention);
•    build knowledge of the evolving legislation and policy landscape across UK countries and identify opportunities to consolidate or enhance JNCC’s work at UK or country levels;
•    support periodic work on the review of UK legislation including Schedules 5, 8 (QQR) and 9.
•    provide project management and secretariat support, and where necessary act as project manager, in line with skills and experience; 
•    communicate effectively, for instance through presentations, reports and scientific papers, managing web content, newsletters and other media;  
•    gather and interpret intelligence in relevant policy areas within UK government, devolved administrations, country nature conservation bodies and other stakeholders; and
•    provide policy and technical advice and expertise on issues relating to biodiversity in the UK.

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving

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

• To be a successful candidate you will be expected to have a relevant degree or equivalent qualification or demonstrate that you are capable of fulfilling the post requirements. Recent relevant work experience will be an advantage
• Knowledge of ecology and nature conservation in the UK, with in-depth knowledge in at least one topic (e.g. plant/animal ecology, a species or habitat specialism; protected sites; farmland conservation/agri-environment);
• Good understanding of data analysis with competence in data manipulation and management. A key requirement is accuracy and precision;
• A reasonable general knowledge of the policy and legislative framework for environment and nature conservation in the UK and at country-level;
• An understanding of monitoring in UK nature conservation and the use of different techniques to gather data. Knowledge of survey principles is required and knowledge of remote survey methods will be an advantage;

Job contact :

• Name :Recruitment Team
• Email :recruitment@jncc.gov.uk

Recruitment team :

• Email :recruitment@jncc.gov.uk