This position is based Nationally (homebased or NE offices)

Closing date 14 April 2021

Salary £32,438

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).

Key tasks will include

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.

Please contact Emma Fawcett or Fay Lutkin if you have any queries.

Emma.Fawcett@naturalengland.org.uk

Fay.Lutkin@naturalengland.org.uk

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