Location
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.
About the job
Job summary
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.
Short Summary
JNCC’s Marine Management Team provides evidence-based advice on the environmental impacts of activities taking place in the offshore marine environment. The advisory functions of the team are centred on helping government(s), regulators and developers meet the requirements of relevant legislation for human activities in the offshore marine environment, whilst balancing the need for nature recovery.
In the response to the British Energy Security Strategy and Government Commitments to Net Zero and halting the decline of the natural environment, JNCC are looking for a Strategic Marine Management Adviser to lead our advice on associated regulations and policies. The role will involve working with UK Government Departments such as Defra, Marine Scotland, Welsh Government, Department for Energy Security and Net-Zero, Marine Management Organisation, The Crown Estate and Crown Estate Scotland, Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies (SNCBs) and industry, as well as internal advisors and specialists, in order to provide high quality, evidence based and pragmatic nature conservation advice.
This exciting and challenging role will lead JNCC’s work on providing specialist advice on compensation measures which will maintain the coherence of the UK Marine Protected Area (MPA) network and while managing the impacts of offshore industries, such as renewable energy. The role will also be key in providing advice on policy areas such as conservation legislation (particularly Habitats Regulation Assessments (HRA)), Marine Spatial Prioritisation, Marine Net Gain and the Marine Recovery Fund. This is a critical role that will require innovation, strong science leadership and extensive and effective stakeholder management to contribute to the Governments dual ambition of halting biodiversity loss and combatting climate change.
Job description
• Lead JNCC’s work on the development of technical advice and guidance on strategic benthic compensation and measures of equivalent environmental benefit (MEEB) and network coherence for designated features of MPAs.
• Coordinate with JNCC specialists’ advice on the application and management of strategic compensation measures and MEEB for mobile species (e.g. marine mammals and seabirds)
• Act as a strategic point of contact with external bodies and JNCC’s MPA team in terms of technical advice and guidance on benthic compensation and MEEB for designated features.
• Work with JNCC’s Offshore Industry Advisers to ensure consistency in advice across regulated activities relating to mitigation, compensation and decommissioning.
• Support senior staff providing advice on the British Energy Security Strategy and Environmental Improvement Package, including areas such as Environmental Standards, Marine Spatial Prioritisation and Marine Net Gain.
• Provide strategic advice and guidance to Government departments and stakeholders in relation to JNCC’s remit on legislation and policy relevant to the licensing of offshore marine activities.
• Act as a strategic point of contact with key stakeholders (examples noted above) and represent JNCC at relevant industry, regulatory and nature conservation meetings and fora.
• Lead, develop and manage evidence products as required such as commissioning work on evidence gaps, position papers and guidance notes
Person specification
Please demonstrate in your statement of suitability your reasons for applying. You will then be asked later in this application to provide a short statement against how you meet each of the technical and experience requirements
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and Influencing
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 practical work experience in the field of regulated marine industries
- Experience of providing evidence-based advice to regulators and/or policy makers within UK legal processes for the management of regulated offshore activities, preferably in relation to offshore wind and MPAs.
- In-depth knowledge and experience of offshore marine industry sectors (e.g. renewables, oil and gas, aggregates, cables, marine planning).
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of marine nature conservation theory and practice, ideally with experience of working on MPAs.
- Advanced knowledge and understanding of marine biodiversity in UK offshore waters (particularly benthic ecology) and of the effects of anthropogenic activities on marine species, habitats and ecosystems.
- Experience of managing complex projects to a successful outcome.
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
Selection process details
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.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
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) (opens in a new window)
- 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 (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
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.
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