3177 - Senior Marine Ornithologist

2
National
National
National
SEO
Senior Specialist
Permanent
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share
Environment & Sustainability, Science
£32,438

Key tasks

  • Providing expert ornithological advice in relation to nationally significant marine infrastructure casework (offshore wind developments); including helping to develop strategic solutions to common issues.
  • Maintaining an understanding of the strengths, weaknesses and gaps in Natural England’s evidence base related to ornithological interests and the potential impacts of activities on those interests.
  • Analysing and applying the evidence base to inform support and the provision of advice internally and externally to marine industry sectors (including renewable energy and aggregates), Defra and other Government Departments.
  • Identify strategic research and development marine ornithological needs alongside the reactive evidence needs to support advice to marine ornithology casework.
  • Utilising the evidence to help other bodies deliver their role and responsibilities including the Marine Management Organisation and Joint Nature Conservation Committee.
  • Working in collaboration with other bodies to expand the evidence base. Liaising with other key external stakeholders, including researchers, learned societies, NGOs and other statutory agencies to develop and share evidence and guidance.
  • Maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of the protection afforded to birds and bird habitats resulting from national and international legislation and accompanying regulations/statutory instruments.
  • Maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of marine designation and interactions with / impacts of marine operations.
  • Leading any agreed evidence projects whilst ensuring delivery to time, cost and quality (through peer-review where appropriate).
  • Maintaining a network of external partners and experts (e.g. industry bodies, Royal Society of the Protection of Birds, British Trust for Ornithology, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Marine Management Organisation, JNCC and research institutes).
  • Ensuring a high level of mutual technical support (e.g. data sharing, collaboration to meet shared evidence needs, supporting partners with peer reviews) with internal and external colleagues.
  • Representing Natural England externally as a recognised expert in ornithology, including at Public Inquiries.

The Specialist Services and Programmes team (SSP) is part of the Chief Scientist’s Directorate in Natural England. This Directorate is responsible for Natural England’s Science, Evidence and Evaluation Strategy and supports its implementation to ensure Natural England is an evidence-led organisation.

The SSP team leads on the development and application of natural, economic and social science and evidence to drive and enable the achievement of environmental outcomes both within Natural England and externally.

We are entering a period of unprecedented expansion for renewables energies at sea in a bid to tackle climate change and the impacts it has on nature, wildlife and people. These two Senior Specialist Marine Ornithology roles will be working to apply the science and evidence base at a strategic and casework level to this growing sector (especially offshore wind).

Emma Fawcett, Team Leader Ornithology, Emma.Fawcett@naturalengland.org.uk, 07810 756229 or Fay Lutkin, Team Leader Ornithology, Fay.Lutkin@naturalengland.org.uk, 07717 881188


14/04/2021, 23:55 hours

Expected first two weeks in May.
Basic Check (BPSS)
Professional competency
Science and Technical - Expert
• Be educated to degree level in a relevant science, with proven knowledge and experience of bird species and ecology. Applicants that do not hold a relevant degree should specify experience and outputs that demonstrate that they have an equivalent level of knowledge.
• Have strong analytical skills (qualitative and quantitative) and knowledge of approaches used to collate best evidence to advise on impacts to marine and coastal birds e.g modelling, data analysis and survey techniques.
• An excellent understanding of the evidence base in relation marine and coastal ornithology, and how that evidence needs to be applied.
• Knowledge of policies, legislative frameworks and drivers for the marine environment combined with a detailed understanding of the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders in the marine field.
Professional competency
Providing Leadership - Practitioner
• Display thought leadership, internally and externally, using your expertise to shape the agenda and take people with you.
• Train, coach and mentor others to increase their capability and the organisation’s technical skills-base.
• Use evaluation and feedback skills so that you understand others’ points of view and know the impact that your advice and evidence have when used by others.
Professional competency
Work Delivery - Practitioner
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to deliver to time and quality, prioritising according to organisational needs.
• The ability to work independently and to show initiative; able to support and challenge others constructively.
• Able to translate complex science and evidence, together with uncertainties and risks, into clear and transparent advice.
Professional competency
Personal Effectiveness - Practitioner
• Be decisive, combining your professional judgement with evidence to inform your decision-making.
• Produce evidence and analysis which enables others to deliver positive outcomes for the environment.
• Develop and share clear messages about your data / evidence using language appropriate to the audience.
• Provide scientific scrutiny, challenge and assurance in a constructive and evidence-based way so that the guidance you provide is practical and, where appropriate, cross-disciplinary.
Natural England

This Vacancy is closed to applications.