This post will have a base in 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 one of our office bases for a few days a month as a minimum with attendance expected at regular face to face team meetings. Arrangements 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
Why JNCC?
We’re small enough (c.300 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 background
JNCC has a pivotal role working with the four countries of the UK to understand different approaches, share experiences across the countries and ensure best use is made of JNCC’s evidence sources as we strive to meet the Nature Positive 2030 vision. A key part of our evidence provision comes from developing techniques for applying satellite Earth observations, in combination with other data sources, to quantifying habitats and detecting change in their management, condition and the pressures affecting them. We are looking for a senior Earth observation specialist to help convene approaches and innovation across the sector, and to support the development of efficient data products that will help countries achieve their environmental goals.
The post will be part of the Ecosystems Analysis Team which brings together three elements:
- An Earth observation data processing and analytical capability which is moving from an initial focus on spatial mapping of habitats to detecting change within spatial frameworks of habitats
- A set of long-term partnerships with bodies undertaking species surveillance through networks of volunteers
- An analysis and modelling capability producing rapidly deployable models. These include a range of models focused on predicting outcomes from changing land uses and environmental pressures
Your role would work alongside all three elements to devise and lead the delivery of novel evidence products that provide strategic or actionable evidence for the management of biodiversity at UK and country levels. You will have the ability to interact effectively with technical experts as well as policy customers.
Job description
Post Duties
The post will lead JNCC’s development of analytical methods for the application of Earth observation data to meet our stakeholders evidence needs. These include cost-effective ways of mapping habitats; understanding habitat condition and how this affects ecosystem services and values; Earth observation-based parameters which are influential in models of species composition or abundance to help understand or predict the effect that changes in land use or pressures have on biodiversity.
The main duties of the post are:
- Provide technical input and strategic steer to projects involving Earth observation, working alongside colleagues to ensure we use our resources effectively.
- To lead the development of novel cost-effective Earth observation-based products that meet stakeholder or customer priorities for evidence on habitat and ecosystem services.
- To develop and maintain an overview of the satellite, airborne and drone-based sensors and Earth observation techniques that are or will become cost-effective to deploy in meeting the evidence needs of our stakeholders and customers.
- To develop and maintain working relationships with stakeholder and partner sources of Earth observation expertise, including the Earth Observation Centre of Excellence, Scottish Remote Sensing Group and Wales EO group. Build relationships with academic, SME or other partners that can aid our delivery.
- Provide line management and staff development for a small number of team members.
- Managing projects to ensure delivery to time, cost and quality elements, including liaison with contractors and other agencies.
- Support proposal preparation for evidence work that aligns with our strategy.
- Provide quality control and assurance for analytical projects in line with JNCC evidence quality assurance policy.
Person specification
Please use the STARR technique where applicable
- Situation: Set the stage.
- Task: Explain where you fit in.
- Action: Describe each step.
- Results: Impress with your achievements.
- Reflection: what have you learned
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Changing and Improving
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Experience showing aptitude and creativity in applying Earth observation and remote-sensed data to meet environmentally related evidence requirements
- Experience of undertaking analysis using multiple large spatial data sets and of integrating these with models
- Excellent analytical and writing skills, including experience of statistical analysis, synthesis of complex information and communicating complex concepts to technical and non-technical audiences
- Experience of project management
- Experience working in interdisciplinary teams
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £40,140, Joint Nature Conservation Committee contributes £11,628 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
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
FURTHER DETAILS AND APPLICATIONS HERE.