Senior International Biodiversity Adviser - Implementation - 2026029

Job summary

Post background:

This is an exciting and influential role for individuals who can follow technical and policy detail, while seeing the bigger picture. They will inform decision-making across government and wider society.

The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) is the statutory adviser to the UK Government on nature conservation in the UK and internationally, working at the science-policy interface.

The International Advice Team leads on providing advice to governments across the UK on a range of Multi-lateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) to which the UK is Party. These include the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES), the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), as well as to the subsidiary bodies of the MEAs and other affiliated science-policy platforms, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystems Services (IPBES). Our experts regularly form part of UK delegations at international meetings and engage with other associated international-level fora. We also work closely with the governments of the 4 devolved countries, the UK Overseas Territories, and the UK Crown Dependencies to deliver advice on implementation of the wide range of MEAs we support. Our work at an international scale is constantly changing as international and domestic priorities develop and as reflected in the JNCC Strategy.

The post holder will contribute to JNCC’s efforts that enable the UK to meet its international obligations across a number of MEAs. They will primarily lead JNCC’s work supporting the 4 Countries of the United Kingdom, the UK Overseas Territories, and the UK Crown Dependencies in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, international biodiversity reporting, and development of biodiversity indicators.

Job description

Post Duties:

As a Senior Biodiversity Adviser, you will provide expert advice supporting the UK Government and component subnational governments to develop and implement policies to achieve the ambitions agreed in international for a. To do this, support development of the UK’s negotiating positions in intergovernmental fora, contribute to intergovernmental technical advisory bodies, assess the UK’s progress in achieving its intergovernmental obligations, and contribute to wider nature-related Government evidence and research programmes.

In this role, you will be expected to become a national or even international leader in your specialism(s). JNCC will support you to reach your full potential, as we recognise that our work areas are niche and new postholders may lack the experience to immediately become a national or international leader when they start at JNCC.

You will be required to have a good understanding of the importance of the relationship between scientific research, evidence and policy development. You will work 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.

You will work with a wide range of specialists and stakeholders in this role. You will undertake policy-relevant analysis and develop practical advice in a fast-moving science-policy environment.

You will principally focus on leading JNCC’s work to support implementation of the KMGBF in the four countries of the UK and the UKOTCDs. You may also be required to work across other MEAs to support team resilience and leverage opportunities for cross-MEA impact. Tasks may include:

• Leading the development of scientific and technical advice to Defra, the Devolved Administrations, and the Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies on issues relating to international biodiversity.

• Lead the work of a small team developing advice on the implementation of the KM-GBF in the UK, including the development of indicators and target-setting, compiling National Reports under CBD, and maintaining the UK Biodiversity Clearing House Mechanism.

• Representing JNCC and the United Kingdom in working groups and international partnership to facilitate implementation.

• Regularly contribute to or lead small interdisciplinary project teams that draw upon staff from across JNCC, ensuring such teams effectively and efficiently deliver their objections to the required deadlines and within budget.

• Leading the development of new projects.

• Building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders to enable delivery against UK objectives and meet wider UK policy commitments.

• Directly line manage one or more H-Grade staff, ensuring they have the correct direction and resources to successfully undertake their work. Proactively develop line reports to support them in reaching their full potential.

• Proactively contribute to the effective and efficient functioning of the International Advice Team, the International Directorate, and wider JNCC.

Person specification

Please demonstrate in your statement of suitability your reasons for applying.

Behaviours

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

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

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

• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• Excellent understanding of international policies and legislation, including an understanding of the sub-national and national governmental structures of the UK, ideally through first-hand experience.
• Excellent understanding of indicator development and use for setting and monitoring progress against biodiversity goals and targets, ideally through first-hand experience.
• Experience translating science into compelling, concise communication materials that inform decision-making processes.
• Experience diplomatically engaging with policymakers, stakeholders, and partners, determining their priorities and working collaboratively with them.
• Experience thinking strategically and making effective use of project management skills and other techniques to deliver outcomes, including identifying risks and mitigating actions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £41,525, Joint Nature Conservation Committee contributes £12,029 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

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.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a statement of suitability. In your statement, refer to the responsibilities and experience section of this advert to show how you’re suitable for the role.

Please use the STARR technique

• Situation: Set the stage.
• Task: Explain where you fit in.
• Action: Describe each step.
• Results: Impress with your achievements.
• Reflection: what have you learned

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a 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

Sen Int Bio Adv - Imp- S Opens in new window (pdf, 203kB)