Senior Marine Habitats Advisor

Job summary

Do you want to play an important role in delivering the evidence that underpins marine conservation and nature recovery across England's seas?

We are looking for an experienced and motivated marine scientist to join Defra's Marine Biodiversity & Environment Science and Monitoring Team. This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of government, providing scientific expertise on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs), marine nature recovery and the UK Marine Strategy.

You will lead and manage high-profile monitoring and research projects, commission and oversee evidence activities, and translate complex scientific findings into clear, practical advice that supports policy and decision-making. deliver robust evidence that supports marine environmental outcomes. You will work closely with an experienced network of scientists, policymakers and evidence partners across Defra, its Arm's Length Bodies and the wider marine science community to deliver robust evidence that supports marine environmental outcomes.

We're looking for someone with strong scientific expertise, excellent communication and influencing skills, and a collaborative approach to working across organisational boundaries. You will be naturally curious, proactive and solutions-focused, able to identify emerging evidence needs, develop new research opportunities and build effective partnerships to tackle complex environmental challenges.

You will also provide line management to one direct report and technical support within the marine habitats and marine nature recovery area, helping to develop colleagues and ensure the delivery of high-quality scientific evidence.

This role offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to nationally important marine biodiversity monitoring programmes, develop innovative evidence approaches, and help inform the sustainable management and recovery of the marine environment.

Job description

This high‑profile role provides scientific expertise and evidence to support Defra policy teams and Government in conserving the marine environment, with a particular focus on marine habitats and marine nature recovery. The post holder will lead delivery of Defra's marine habitat evidence and monitoring programme across Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs), and relevant UK marine strategy descriptors alongside associated research and development (R&D) that delivers insights into the condition, recovery/restoration, conservation and sustainable use of the marine environment.

The role is responsible for translating evidence into clear, actionable advice for policy colleagues, supporting delivery of Government ambitions under the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) and informing continuous improvement in marine monitoring. Strong collaboration with Defra Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs), Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies (SNCBs), and the wider scientific community is essential to drive strategic alignment and deliver shared marine environmental goals.

The post holder will also provide leadership and line management for staff working on marine habitats and marine nature recovery within the Marine Biodiversity & Environment Science & Monitoring Team.

Core Responsibilities:

1. Lead Marine Habitat Evidence and Monitoring

• Commission and oversee R&D (CDEL) with Cefas to inform core policy areas including Domestic Marine Conservation, Quota Policy and Negotiations, the UK Marine Strategy (UKMS) and OSPAR.
• Lead and coordinate elements of Defra's contribution to major monitoring and reporting programmes working with colleagues across the team and the marine evidence community, including:

2. Strategic Coordination and Representation

• Support and coordinate Defra's engagement with the Marine and Fisheries Monitoring Coordination Group (MonCoG), working closely with partner organisations to support a coherent UK marine monitoring approach.
• Represent Defra alongside the wider team as one of the evidence leads in the Healthy and Biologically Diverse Seas Evidence Group (HBDSEG) to develop new R&D.
• Work with colleagues across the team to support Defra representation in the Marine Biodiversity Impacts Evidence Group

3. Management of Marine Habitat Evidence Budget

• Manage elements of the marine habitat evidence portfolio, including contributions to programmes such as the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR), MarLIN, MarESA and Lyme Bay long-term monitoring, and identify emerging evidence opportunities.

4. Leadership and Line Management

• Line management of a staff member within the marine habitats and marine nature recovery segment of the team, supporting development, capability building and compliance with organisational standards.
• Provide scientific leadership, guidance and oversight to ensure the team delivers high‑quality evidence.

5. Communication, Engagement and Representation

• Attend and present at scientific conferences, workshops and expert meetings, representing Defra’s evidence needs, ambitions and work programmes.
• Engage with policy and evidence teams across Defra to ensure marine habitats evidence supports wider Government objectives and closes critical knowledge gaps.

6. Scientific Development and Horizon Scanning

• Monitor emerging scientific research, identify evidence gaps, and develop new R&D proposals and long‑term monitoring initiatives.
• Contribute to Defra Spending Reviews through development of marine habitat science and monitoring budget proposals.

Person specification

A strong background in marine biology, marine science, or ecological monitoring, with practical experience relevant to the marine environment.

Proven ability to communicate complex scientific information clearly and effectively to a range of audiences, including policymakers, technical specialists, and non‑technical stakeholders.

A relevant degree (e.g., marine biology, marine science, environmental science) or equivalent technical experience providing strong scientific credibility. Science capability and relevant experience will be assessed through the application stage and as a technical question during the interview stage.

Demonstrable experience in providing and leading scientific evidence to inform policy, management decisions, or strategic planning.

Experience in identifying evidence gaps, emerging scientific issues, and new areas for research or long‑term monitoring.

Experience of building, maintaining, and managing collaborative relationships across government, the academic sector, and other evidence partners. Ability to balance diverse viewpoints and work constructively across organisational boundaries.

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Changing and Improving

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• Communicating science and engineering for government - disseminating science and engineering
• Technical oversight and management - technical delivery / project management.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £42,665, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £12,360 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).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

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, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Application

As part of the application process, a name blind CV and a 500 word personal statement setting out your skills and experience and its relevance to the job description and person specification. You will be asked to provide 250 word statements on the following behaviours: Seeing the Big Picture, Communicating and Influencing and Working Together.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Sift

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement and behaviour statements. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Interview

Candidates who are invited to interview will be asked about their Technical Skills, Behaviours and strengths relevant to the role. For more information see Civil Service Success Profiles

The following Civil Service Behaviours are essential to this post and will be tested at interview.

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Changing and Improving
• Seeing the Big Picture

Your interview will be conducted by video and you will be sent an email with a MS Teams link.

Further Information

Location

As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s).

Where the location is ‘National’ the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.

Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.

The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.

Salary

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Merit Lists

Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be appointed in merit order for each location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to DEFRA 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; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Visa Sponsorship Statement

Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

Criminal Record Check

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to London may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter

Internal Fraud Database Check

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

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.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

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.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).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 : Victoria Metheringham
• Email : victoria.metheringham@defra.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: here