Post Duties
Post 1 - Focus on Ramsar Convention on wetlands – Job Description
The post holder needs to have a good understanding of the importance of the relationship between scientific research, evidence and policy development. You will be reporting to a Senior International Biodiversity Adviser, and working closely with officials in Defra, other UK government departments and the devolved governments, and with specialists from across JNCC and the Country Nature Conservation Bodies. This will support the development of advice and guidance on a variety of international issues, and their implementation at the UK level, focused on the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
A major focus at present is supporting government on negotiations at the forthcoming Ramsar Conference of the Parties and understanding how the Convention will contribute to wetland conservation via the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. Understanding the key elements of the Ramsar Convention’s Strategic Plan in terms of implementation across the UK is another key area. The role will also be involved in the updating and management of Ramsar Site information and working on a new project focussed on drawing together various UK wetland-related information and data to help inform better scientific understanding, policy making and international reporting on the value and importance of wetlands in terms of biodiversity and climate change mitigation.
Depending on the post-holder’s skills and experience, other work areas may cover the IPBES, including facilitating the UK IPBES Stakeholder Network, and IUCN. An emerging area of work for the team is engagement with the UNFCCC and the post holder may support the provision of nature-related advice to the UK government on climate change and on links between UNFCCC with other MEAs.
Discussion with and input from other stakeholders will be required for this role. You will need to work with a wide range of specialists and stakeholders to undertake policy-relevant analysis and to contribute to developing practical advice in a fast-moving science-policy environment. There may be opportunity for international travel associated with this post.
Post 1 - duties
Duties are likely to principally focus on contributing to the delivery of UK objectives under the Ramsar Convention including:
• Providing scientific and technical advice to Defra, the Devolved Administrations, the Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies, and non-government stakeholders on the implementation of the Ramsar Convention across the UK and the UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.
• Contributing to JNCC’s responsibility as the UK National Focal Point under the Ramsar Convention’s Science and Technical Review Panel (STRP), including related advice to the Defra Ramsar Convention policy leads.
• Representing JNCC at relevant meetings in the UK and participating in UK Government delegations at international meetings, including at the Conferences of the Parties and at other related intersessional meetings.
• Contributing to the development of new projects relating to wetland conservation for communication, policy development and UK reporting purposes.
• Being responsible for building relationships with key stakeholders to enable/facilitate delivery against UK objectives of the Convention and meet wider UK policy commitments.
• Managing UK Ramsar information on the JNCC website, including facilitating the updating of the Ramsar Site ‘Ramsar Information Sheets’.
• Contribute to UK reporting under the Ramsar Convention.
Depending on the post-holder’s skills and experience, other duties may include:
• Supporting Defra’s engagement with IPBES and facilitating the UK IPBES Stakeholder Network.
• Supporting UK engagement with IUCN, including providing support to Defra and other government entities.
• Supporting JNCC and UK engagement with UNFCCC, including linkages with other MEAs.
• Advising DCMS and other stakeholders on UK engagement with the WHC.
• Providing scientific and technical advice to Defra on the implementation of other MEAs as required.
• Contribute generally to the work of the International Advice Team as required, including updating relevant web content.
Post 2 - Focus on Convention on Biological Diversity – Job Description
The post holder needs to have a good understanding of the importance of the relationship between scientific research, evidence and policy development. You will be reporting to a Senior International Biodiversity Adviser, and working closely with officials in Defra, other UK government departments and the devolved governments, and with specialists from across JNCC and the Country Nature Conservation Bodies. This will support the development of advice and guidance on a variety of international issues, and their implementation at the UK level, focused on the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
A major focus at present is supporting government on the negotiation of a new CBD post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework to replace the, now expired, Aichi targets. Once the framework is adopted (expected in December 2022), focus will turn to supporting its implementation in the UK and elsewhere.
Depending on the post-holder’s skills and experience, other work areas may cover the IPBES, including facilitating the UK IPBES Stakeholder Network, and IUCN. An emerging area of work for the team is engagement with the UNFCCC and the post holder may support the provision of nature-related advice to the UK government on climate change and on links between UNFCCC with other MEAs. There may be opportunity for international travel associated with this post.
Discussion with and input from other stakeholders will be required for this role. You will need to work with a wide range of specialists and stakeholders to undertake policy-relevant analysis and to contribute to developing practical advice in a fast-moving science-policy environment. There may be opportunity for international travel associated with this post.
Post 2 – duties
Duties will principally focus on contributing to the delivery of UK objectives under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) including:
• Providing scientific and technical advice to Defra, the Devolved Administrations, the Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies, and non-government stakeholders on the implementation of CBD, and on issues relating to international biodiversity.
• Prepare for international meetings including drafting documents, gathering and analysing relevant evidence, and preparing briefings for UK delegations.
• Representing JNCC at relevant meetings in the UK and participate in UK Government delegations at international meetings, including at the CBD Conferences of the Parties and at other related intersessional meetings.
• Contribute to UK reporting under the CBD.
Depending on the post-holder’s skills and experience, other duties may include:
• Supporting Defra’s engagement with IPBES and facilitating the UK IPBES Stakeholder Network.
• Supporting UK engagement with IUCN, including providing support to Defra and other government entities.
• Supporting JNCC and UK engagement with UNFCCC, including linkages with other MEAs.
• Advising DCMS and other stakeholders on UK engagement with the WHC.
• Providing scientific and technical advice to Defra on the implementation of other MEAs as required.
• Contribute generally to the work of the International Advice Team as required, including updating relevant web content.