Marine Data Adviser (1011-371)

Grade: D
Vacancy type: Temporary until 16.06.2025 (with possibility of extension)
Hours: 35
Salary: £38,242
Location: Scotland, any NatureScot Office (home and hybrid working requests will be considered)
Closing date: Midnight 9 September 2024
Internal Interview date: 25 September 2024
External Interview date: 3 October 2024

Job Purpose Summary:
This is a full-time, temporary role within the Marine Ecosystems Activity Team. The successful candidate will be part of NatureScot’s Marine Energy programme which co-ordinates and delivers advice for offshore wind developments to help meet Scotland’s 2045 net zero targets. The work also relates to the Scottish Government’s ambitious programme of marine protection measures to tackle biodiversity loss.

Focusing on the management and mobilisation of marine biodiversity and activities data, this post will work closely with existing marine data specialists and marine data users to help NatureScot deliver the transformation required to ensure a nature-rich future with sustainable use of our seas.

This is a 9-month fixed-term appointment. The successful candidate will work with other staff in the Marine Ecosystems and Sustainable Coasts and Seas Activity Teams. The successful candidate will also work with staff in Geographic Information Group (GIG), and National Operations Teams across the organisation as well as relevant external bodies.
Wider contribution to the work of the Marine Ecosystems Activity Team may also be required.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Undertake business analysis focussed on identifying data needs related to marine energy, aquaculture, other maritime sectors and marine conservation, in particular:

Data from Environmental Impact Assessments.
Data arising from derogation cases and compensation measures associated with development.
Data from external research and evidence gathering projects associated with the offshore renewable sector.
Data arising from recipients of grant funding.
Data commissioned by Sustainable Coasts and Seas Activity Team.

• Work with external organisations involved in the governance and commissioning of marine data, including specifically Scottish Government, Crown Estate Scotland and The Crown Estate.
• Work closely with the Geographic Information Group to mobilise data associated with marine energy, aquaculture, and other maritime sectors to the Marine Energy Casework Team via our corporate internal GIS platform.
• Support the management of marine data in NatureScot and contribute to marine assessment and reporting as required.
• Provide secretariat to NatureScot’s internal Marine Information and Data Management Group.

Skills (Please refer to these in your Supporting Statement)

• A solid understanding of Business Analysis concepts and ability to apply them while adopting the approach used in NatureScot.
• Understanding of marine data governance in Scotland and the wider UK, and associated data management and mobilisation challenges.
• Understanding of the framework for data governance and management provided by the Marine Environmental Data and Information Network (MEDIN) (https://medin.org.uk/).
• An understanding of the Scottish Marine Biodiversity Data Review and its recommendations (https://www.nature.scot/doc/naturescot-research-report-1304-scottish-marine-biodiversity-data-review-stakeholder-analysis-inform).
• An understanding of how data relating to the marine ecology, habitats and species of Scotland is managed. Especially with respect to Priority Marine Features and Habitats Directive Annex I features.
• Experience of hands-on data management.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a proven ability to work constructively and supportively in a team environment, using initiative and developing creative approaches when appropriate.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to provide clear advice and guidance and convey complex, technical information clearly to a variety of audiences both in writing and verbally with confidence.
• Proven ability to plan and manage workloads, work to deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities.

Prerequisites

• Proof of right to work in UK, and be living 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
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.

Click here to apply for this vacancy

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

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

For information regarding the vacancy please contact
Vacancy Manager: James Dargie James.Dargie@nature.scot
Alternative contact: Malcolm Fraser Malcolm.Fraser@nature.scot
For information regarding the application process contact Recruitment@nature.scot

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.