Senior Adviser for Nature Recovery (Protected Sites and Farmland Conservation)

Introducing the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Area Team

Our Area stretches for 200 miles from the Isles of Scilly to Minehead covering both land and sea. The quality of our environment underpins our food, farming and tourism industries, and is reflected in polls which place Exeter and Falmouth as some of the best places to live in the UK. We have two upland National Parks, Dartmoor and Exmoor, as well as a third major upland area, Bodmin Moor. World Heritage Sites celebrate the mining heritage across Cornwall and West Devon; and the rich geology of the Jurassic Coast in East Devon. We are surrounded by spectacular coast and island communities, much of which is recognised through marine protected area designation and as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The wet and warm climate makes our woodlands superb homes for mosses, lichens and ferns and they’ve been likened to temperate rainforests. We own and manage some of these special places as National Nature Reserves (NNRs) on Bodmin Moor, Goss Moor and Dartmoor. Our Lizard NNR has a host of nationally rare plants including wild relatives of commercial crops.

The Team is responsible for delivering environmental outcomes across Devon, Cornwall & Isles of Scilly. The team uses a range of mechanisms including land management and planning advice, engagement with stakeholders and direct management of our own land, to achieve the protection and enhancement of biodiversity and landscapes.

As a Team we aim to work flexibly and support each other and work with others across the region to increase awareness and appreciation of our landscapes and wildlife. Our successful delivery of nature recovery will rely on us working differently, better explaining the benefits people derive from our special marine environment, fantastic landscapes and helping people and local communities grow and nurture connection with their natural environment.


Job description

The role is based within the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Team where we have offices in Truro and Exeter. There will be some travel involved to both internal meetings and external meetings within Devon and Cornwall and occasional travel to other offices and overnight stays.

As a member of the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Area Leadership Team (ALT) the successful candidate will work closely with other Senior Advisers and the wider management team in leading our team’s Protected Sites and Farmland Conservation Programmes. Our protected sites delivery spans a number of Senior Adviser responsibilities and you will be expected to work closely with other senior advisers in developing and delivering an integrated protected sites programme. You will be expected to apply your knowledge and expertise to develop, implement and maintain oversight of strategic plans, ensure the focus of effort and resources in the team is directed at agreed priorities and contribute to the building of collaborative and productive partnerships with key stakeholders. Our Protected Sites and Farmland Conservation work is central to the delivery of nature recovery in our area and you will be expected to be visionary and innovative in developing this programme of work.

As a member of the ALT you will be expected to role model Natural England’s values, support and encourage the development of staff in the team, be flexible and willing to adapt both your role and the focus of the programme as priorities evolve. It will be a requirement to demonstrate visible and accessible leadership including a regular presence at our Truro and Exeter offices, champion reform to deliver an improved service within our resource constraints, and identify and capitalise on opportunities for income generation.