Marine Sustainability Adviser x2

Job title: 1020-354/1020-330 Marine Sustainability Adviser (2 posts) Grade: D
Hours: 35 Salary £38,242 Vacancy type: Temporary, 1020-354 – Marine Sustainability Adviser –
Sustainable Coasts and Seas – temporary to 31 March 2026 (with possibility of extension)
1020-330 – Marine Sustainability Adviser – Sustainable Coasts and Seas – temporary to 31 March
2025 (with possibility of extension) Please confirm on your application which position you are
applying for, or if you are applying for both positions Location: NatureScot offices, home or
hybrid Closing date: Midday, 12 July 2024 Internal interview date: Wednesday 24 July 2024
External interview date: Monday 05 August 2024

Job Purpose Summary

These are full-time, temporary roles within NatureScot’s Marine Energy Programme in the
Sustainable Coasts & Seas Activity. The successful candidates will be part of a growing
team to co-ordinate and deliver casework advice for offshore wind developments associated with
ScotWind and InTOG as well other marine energy casework, all of which will help to meet
Scotland’s 2045 net zero targets. Input will cover all development phases from pre-application
engagement and EIA Scoping to marine / s.36 licence applications as well as Habitat Regulations
Appraisal and EPS licensing. The post holder will engage with industry, Marine Directorate,
Crown Estate Scotland and Local Authorities to help deliver NatureScot’s policies and
priorities including Scotland’s response to the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis. The
post holder will also input to the preparation of guidance and research needed to support
ScotWind, InTOG and wider marine energy developments.

Working closely with other NatureScot staff, the post holder will coordinate and develop
casework advice both formal and informal, written and verbal and be confident in developing
solutions and / or advising on implications for preventing biodiversity loss and enhancing
nature.

The post-holder will be required to contribute to the wider work of the Activity and
NatureScot, including the possibility of acting as a Duty Officer working as part of the team
rota for responding to marine pollution incidents.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

1. Provide constructive, solution-focused advice and support for NatureScot marine industries
   casework advice. This will include proposals arising from marine energy leases, fisheries, oil
   and gas, ports and harbours, seabed pipelines and cabling infrastructure. 
2. Co-ordinate and lead in the preparation of robust, timely and clearly articulated advice
   for offshore wind and marine renewable development proposals and casework from pre-application
   to post-consent. This will involve liaising with NatureScot marine specialist and Operations
   colleagues to secure appropriate advice.
3. Manage correct storage of case information and advice through email, objective and MS
   Teams, following agreed casework processes.
4. Represent NatureScot at meetings with developers, consultees and Marine Scotland. 
5. Represent NatureScot at meetings of inter-agency, government, partnership projects and
   similar groups relevant to the development of offshore renewable energy in Scotland.
6. Work with colleagues and partners to identify and prioritise guidance and research needs
   for relevant topic areas including guidance requirements for ScotWind, InTOG and tidal stream
   developments. 
7. Contribute to the wider work of the Sustainable Coasts and Seas team.
8. Promote awareness of NatureScot and our marine energy work through social media, press
   releases and the NatureScot website.
9. The possibility of acting as a Duty Officer for marine pollution incidents, participating
   in the cover provided by NatureScot through an agreed rota system. (This can require work
   outside of normal working hours – weekends and evenings).

Skills (Please refer to these in your Supporting Statement)

1. A degree in a relevant subject plus relevant post-graduate experience or work experience
   equivalant. 
2. A sound understanding of the marine ecology, habitats and species of Scotland and issues
   relating to their conservation and management.
3. Clear understanding of conservation and planning legislation relevant to Scotland’s seas
   and marine species. 
4. Ability to provide informed, clear and solution focused advice.
5. Knowledge and experience of coastal and marine industries, relevant to Scotland, and
   potential interactions of these with coastal and marine habitats and species.
6. Good communication skills – clear written and verbal presentation, and ability to
   communicate clearly to a variety audiences.
7. Good interpersonal skills with a proven ability to work constructively and supportively in
   a team environment.
8. Experience of developing and maintaining positive working relationships with stakeholders,
   such as agencies, organisations, developers or government.
9. Good interpersonal skills including excellent communication skills, both verbal and
   written, and excellent team working skills.
10. Ability to plan and manage workloads, work to deadlines and adapt to changing priorities
    while balancing a high volume of reactive work.
11. Ability to analyse, interpret and manage scientific information.
12. Experience of developing and maintaining positive working relationships with stakeholders,
    such as agencies, organisations, developers or government.

Prerequisites

• Proof of right to work in UK
• 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.

Working for NatureScot

NatureScot offers some great benefits to reward and support you whilst you are working for us.
Our benefits package includes the civil service pension scheme, a generous holiday leave
allowance plus flexi time, and employee discount scheme. Visit
the NatureScot website for further details.

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.

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.

Interviews

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

NatureScot is an inclusive workplace. We will share three interview questions for this
vacancy prior to interviews as a way of supporting neurodiversity at NatureScot.

For information regarding the vacancy, please contact

Malcolm Fraser, Marine Sustainability Manager. 

Email: [email protected] Tel: 0131 316
2629 

In my absence you may contact Erica Knott, Head of Marine Energy. 

Email: [email protected] Tel: 07717 542648

For information regarding the application process please contact [email protected]

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.