Operations Officer – Nature and Climate Change

Job Purpose: Summary

NatureScot is Scotland’s Nature Agency, protecting and restoring nature, and inspiring everyone to value our natural world. You will contribute to NatureScot’s vision for a nature-rich future for Scotland by encouraging action to protect, restore and value nature in the local Operational team.

Working as part of the National Operations team the post holder will help deliver NatureScot’s priorities relating to nature recovery, climate change and the creation of nature rich places. This will include working with land managers and engaging with Local Authorities, Key Agencies and other partners, to develop shared responses to the climate and nature emergencies.

In particular, this post will have a major focus on leading the Chough Recovery Project work:

• Lead for chough conservation work·        
• Work within NatureScot chough project team.
• Role is to co-ordinate and manage the delivery of the Scottish chough conservation programme, which involves:
• Facilitating strong and effective working relationships with project partners. Includes organising and chairing meetings.
• Co-ordinating and working with project partners to ensure delivery of a number of activities in line with project plans and budgets.
• Overseeing procurement and management of contracts.
• Managing internal and external communications.
• Acting as the first point of contact for chough, including advising area staff on development control responses within chough designated sites.
• Going forward, the role will focus on facilitating the delivery of a route map to recovery.

The post may also contribute to a diverse range of tasks including the provision of advice in relation to town and country planning and related applications, strategies, policies or action plans relating to climate change and nature recovery. The post may provide advice on land and marine management, agri-environment funding projects and protected natural heritage sites and areas.

You should have a relevant higher education degree or equivalent qualification with transferable skills. Alternatively you should be able to demonstrate qualification by relevant practical experience.

You should be familiar with the main habitats, species and landscapes which contribute to Scotland’s key natural heritage assets, especially on the west coast, and understand how they can be affected by climate change, development and land management activities. You should be able to contribute to a positive vision for a ‘nature rich’ and ‘climate resilient’ Scotland, in response to pressures, needs and opportunities. You should be be able to communicate issues and effectively engage with others, including partners from different sectors and professional backgrounds.

 Role requirements (please refer to these in your Supporting Statement)

• Understanding of the measures needed for positive management of land and sea for the benefit of nature, climate and people. Including a working understanding of areas protected for their natural heritage value. Experience with west coast habitats and species would be helpful.
• Knowledge and experience of different types of nature based solutions and their benefits, with an ability to creatively vision and positively communicate how locally bespoke nature based solutions could be developed and delivered through partnership and place based working.
• Understanding of the broader political, economic and social context in which NatureScot operates, including a clear understanding of the approaches that might be used to engage with partners from different sectors and backgrounds.
• Creative and versatile approach to work, with a proven ability to adapt to changing situations, and embrace new areas of work.
• Good verbal communication and engagement skills, with a proven ability to take NatureScot’s aims and ambitions into external arenas, influencing partners and progressing projects towards the outcomes we seek.
• Clear written skills with an ability to succinctly communicate the messages that are of greatest importance for NatureScot.
• A team player with empathy and understanding of the views and positions of others, while also demonstrating commitment to overall team performance and the organisational outcomes we seek.
• Experience of IT systems including email, Word, Excel and GIS, and open approach to learning new systems.
• Driving licence or other means of transport.

Prerequisites Required

• Applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK and resident in Scotland for the duration of the job contract
• To undertake a Disclosure Scotland application.
• Although Gaelic language is not a prerequisite it is a desirable skill in support of our commitment to our Gaelic Language Plan

NatureScot’s Net Zero commitment

Whether working at home or in an office, or travelling to meetings and site visits, as a NatureScot you will contribute to our Net Zero plan, for example through positive carbon travel choices

Interviews

External candidates will be invited to interview if we are unable to recruit internally

Application Process

Application is by CV and Supporting Statement. Please ensure you have attached these documents when submitting your application.

Before applying for this post;

• Internal applicants should read the Self Service Guide (eRDMS A3155575)
• External applicants should read the Online Job Application Guide

If you have previously applied for a vacancy with NatureScot you must remove the supporting statement from your profile, before uploading a new version.

Nature is vital to all of us, so it is vital that we are an organisation for all of Scotland. The more diverse NatureScot is, the better we will be in connecting everyone with nature. We particularly encourage applications from people from Minority Ethnic (ME) backgrounds and people with a disability.

Working with NatureScot – What we offer you

Please visit https://www.nature.scot/about-naturescot/working-and-volunteering-us/what-we-offer-you for information regarding some great benefits to reward and support you whilst you are working for us