Marine Protected Areas Advisor

Are you interested in protecting marine biodiversity and creating a network of protected areas to safeguard our seas for future generations? Do you have a scientific background and the ability to apply your skills and knowledge to working as an independent advisor to the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations? Have you got experience in engaging stakeholders and building consensus?

JNCC has an ambitious work programme on marine protected areas (MPAs) in line with the UK Government’s aim “to recover and protect the richness of our marine environment and wildlife through the development of a strong, ecologically coherent and well managed network of marine protected areas”. JNCC, as statutory advisors on nature conservation to the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations, are identifying MPAs in UK offshore waters to help the UK meet its international obligations and national objectives to establish an MPA network. There are five broad work areas relating to the MPA work programme: Strategic Offshore MPA coordination, MPA Conservation Advice and Fisheries Management, MPA Designations work and the MPA Network Advice.

We’re looking for candidates with specialist biological expertise, experience in stakeholder engagement and data management for two fixed term posts. A detailed understanding of UK marine habitats and marine nature conservation theory and practice will be essential to the roles.

This new opportunity also requires core skills including the use of standard office software, management and planning of projects and contracts, team working, good interpersonal and communication skills, plus scientific objectivity. We’d like to hear how you think you can meet these specialist and core skills and we’re interested in any additional skills or knowledge you can offer JNCC.

For more information about the competencies and the posts currently on offer visit our website jncc.defra.gov.uk/jobs where you can download the details and the relevant application form and find out more about our work. If you require any further information please email recruitment@jncc.gov.uk.

The closing date is 9:00 on the 15 September 2016, interviews will take place on 23 or 26  September 2016 in either Peterborough or Aberdeen (please indicate preference of where you would like to work). All candidates that are invited to interview will be asked to carry out a GIS and data assessment test on the day in order to understand the candidate’s competence in these skills. Note that having these skills is not a prerequisite for these posts.

Secondments will be considered should a candidate from within the Civil Service or accredited Non-Departmental Public Body apply. If such a candidate wishes to apply on secondment then please highlight this within the application.