NCC’s Marine Management Team provides evidence-based advice on the environmental impacts of activities taking place in the offshore marine environment to appropriate authorities responsible for their regulation. The advisory functions of the team are centred on helping government(s), regulators and developers meet the requirements of relevant legislation.  Our teams core role focuses on advising on impacts of industry activity for example: offshore oil and gas, aggregate extraction and renewable energy, as well as other industry sectors. We also advise on the development of marine plans and policy surrounding marine industries.

We are seeking a Marine Mammal Adviser to support high profile ongoing protected species and offshore industries work within JNCC. The post-holder will be expected to take the lead on tasks and to work closely with others to seek their input where needed. They will routinely work with colleagues in the Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies, regulatory agencies, Defra and the Devolved Administrations.

Why JNCC?

We’re small enough (c.290 staff) that your voice is heard by everyone including the CEO, but big enough that we have all the skills, resources and people you’ll need to get the job done. All our staff are passionate about conservation and making a difference to the world we live in. We have a very flexible, inclusive and welcoming organisational culture. Our Executive Management provides employees with the freedom and tools you will need, and our friendly team will assist you in your role.

JNCC is committed to maintaining employee health and wellbeing, whether it is physically, emotionally, financially or socially, and offers a range of benefits to support employees in this. Such benefits include the option to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme, professional and personal development opportunities as well as an exciting job in a unique environment.

Post Duties

The post holder will join a team of experienced marine mammal advisers and contribute towards the team’s advisory role for nature conservation issues. Duties include:

• Delivery of fast paced, marine mammal conservation advice on impacts from offshore industries, in particular on underwater noise and management for all relevant sectors. This will involve working in collaboration with colleagues in the country conservation agencies, regulators, industry and NGOs.
• Within agreed deadlines, assess offshore industries consent applications and provide high quality, evidence-based advice to regulators on the effects of those proposals on marine mammals in light of relevant legislation on protected species and their habitats.
• Provide marine mammal advice in the event of offshore pollution events and participate on the roster for duty officer, providing a 24/7 response service for environmental information and advice in the event of an offshore pollution incident (this includes on-call allowance uplift payments).
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders (e.g. developers, regulators and other nature conservation bodies across the UK)
• Organise project and/or partnership meetings and events, providing secretariat functions where necessary.
• As required, manage research project contracts to address key conservation issues associated with offshore industries and contribute to ongoing projects including marine mammal mitigation and noise management in MPAs.
• Support wider Marine Management work as required

Please use the S.T.A.R Technique when applicable:

• Situation: Set the scene and explain the context.
• Task: State your goal or what you needed to do.
• Action: Describe the exact steps you took.
• Result: Share the outcome and what you achieved.

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

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

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

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

• A relevant qualification (or equivalent experience) in marine biology, biological sciences, environmental sciences, or other relevant discipline.
• Strong background in the science of marine mammals
• Detailed knowledge of the main provisions of UK and European/ International policy and legislation on the protection of marine mammal species and their habitats.
• Experience in reviewing and interpreting the effects of offshore industries on marine mammal species and their habitats, particularly in relation to underwater noise, within UK consenting processes.
• The ability to critically review scientific information, appraise and effectively communicate uncertainty and provide high quality, risk- based, impartial advice.

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

• A relevant qualification (or equivalent experience) in marine biology, biological sciences, environmental sciences, or other relevant discipline.
• Strong background in the science of marine mammals
• Experience in reviewing and interpreting the effects of offshore industries on marine mammal species and their habitats, particularly in relation to underwater noise, within UK consenting processes.