CITES Scientific Adviser 2026068

Job summary

Post background:

We are seeking an individual with a strong understanding of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), particularly the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES), to support the International Advice Team in delivering JNCC’s statutory responsibilities as the UK CITES Scientific Authority (fauna).

The International Advice Team provides scientific and technical advice to governments across the UK on the implementation of a range of biodiversity-related MEAs to which the UK is a Party, as well as supporting international reporting obligations. These agreements include CITES, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), and others.

JNCC are appointed as the UK’s CITES Scientific Authority (fauna) and have undertaken this role since 1991 (and by our predecessor body since 1975); providing Defra, other government departments, the Devolved Governments, and UK Overseas Territories with timely, evidence-based scientific advice on matters relating to CITES, international wildlife trade, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew fulfils the corresponding role for plants. Following the UK's departure from the European Union, the UK's obligations under CITES are now implemented through domestic legislation, including the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Amendment and Revocation) Regulations 2026.

As trusted government advisers operating at the science-policy interface, JNCC works closely with policymakers, regulators, researchers, and international partners to support evidence-based decision-making. Team members regularly participate in UK delegations to international meetings and contribute to global policy development, technical working groups, and capacity-building initiatives. Our international work continues to expand, and we collaborate with governments, local communities, and other stakeholders worldwide, recognising the environmental, social, and economic importance of biodiversity.

Job description

Post Duties:

Working as part of a small, highly collaborative team, the successful candidate will help deliver scientific advice and evidence to support decision-making on international wildlife trade and biodiversity conservation issues. They will contribute to the assessment of permit applications, development of scientific advice, research and analysis, and engagement with UK and international stakeholders. The postholder will play an important role in maintaining business continuity and supporting the increasing demand for CITES-related advice and licensing activity following the UK's exit from the European Union.

In addition, the postholder will support a range of other activities, including delivering JNCC's intersessional commitments arising from CITES CoP20 (including recent listing proposal relevant to UK), supporting colleagues in developing lines to take at scientific and standing committee meetings, as well as providing scientific advice and training to our Overseas Territories and enforcement authorities, such as Border Force, police force and the National Wildlife Crime Unit. The role will also contribute to broader international biodiversity policy work and support JNCC's wider responsibilities in relation to Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs).

This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of science, policy and international conservation, helping to shape the UK’s contribution to global efforts to ensure international wildlife trade is legal, sustainable and does not threaten the survival of species in the wild.

Person specification

In the event that we receive a large volume of applications, we reserve the right to conduct the sift based on the Lead Behaviour of Making Effective Decisions.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Good understanding, demonstrated through practical application, of biodiversity conservation, wildlife trade and/or international environmental policy.
• Good understanding of the legal and policy framework underpinning CITES implementation in the UK
• Experience of critically evaluating and synthesising evidence from a range of scientific, technical and policy sources to support wildlife trade, conservation or regulatory decision-making, and communicating findings clearly to diverse audiences.
• Experience of representing an organisation in external meetings, working groups or stakeholder engagements
• Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders from a range of organisations, disciplines and cultural backgrounds.

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• Good understanding, demonstrated through practical application, of biodiversity conservation, wildlife trade and/or international environmental policy.
• Good understanding of the legal and policy framework underpinning CITES implementation in the UK
• Experience of critically evaluating and synthesising evidence from a range of scientific, technical and policy sources to support wildlife trade, conservation or regulatory decision-making, and communicating findings clearly to diverse audiences.
• Experience of representing an organisation in external meetings, working groups or stakeholder engagements

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £33,130, Joint Nature Conservation Committee contributes £9,597 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).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

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Please use the STARR method when appropriate:

• — Situation: Set the scene and provide necessary background context
• T — Task: Explain your specific role, responsibility, or goal in that situation
• A — Action: Describe the exact, practical steps you took to solve the problem or handle the challenge
• R — Result: Share the outcome of your actions, using quantifiable metrics or data whenever possible.
• R / T — Reflection or Takeaway : Add what you learned, how it applies to your future work, or what you would do differently next time.

Candidates shortlisted for interview will be required to prepare a short presentation. The presentation topic will be provided when the interview invitation is issued.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).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.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Recruitment Team
• Email : recruitment@jncc.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@jncc.gov.uk

Further information

Selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles, our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of appointment on the basis of merit by fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact recruitment@jncc.gov.uk in the first instance.

Attachments

2026068-CITES Scientific Adviser Opens in new window (pdf, 202kB)