Post Title: Senior Earth Observation SpecialistTeam: Ecosystems AnalysisRef No: 202501Grade: S (SEO) This post will have a base in either Peterborough or Aberdeen. JNCC has adopted a hybrid working approach, allowing colleagues to benefit from time in the office, with the flexibility also to work from home. Employees are expected to work from one of our office bases for a few days a month as a minimum with attendance expected at regular face to face team meetings. Arrangements will vary by team and the exact balance will depend on the nature of your role. We can provide more details at the interview and offer stages. Who are JNCC? Established in 1991, we’re the UK’s statutory advisor on issues affecting the natural environment across the UK and internationally. Our primary role is advising all four Governments of the UK. We also work with private sector organisations to support decision making on the sustainable use of marine waters and natural resources around the UK. JNCC is led by the Joint Committee, which brings together members from the nature conservation bodies for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and independent members appointed by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under an independent Chair. Support is provided to the Committee by approx. 300 people who bring together scientific and technical expertise, extensive knowledge of policy at global, European and national levels, and skills in working with other organisations. Staff are based in two main offices in Peterborough and Aberdeen. Why JNCC? We’re small enough (c.300 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. Hours of work: Full-time Normal minimum hours of attendance for the post are 36 hours per week over a 5-day period, Monday to Friday. Flexi time is available. This post may also be suitable for job share. Annual Leave: The annual leave allowance is 25 days per year, rising to 30 days per year after 5 years’ service. There are also 12 days public and privilege leave. Part-time staff will receive this on a pro rata basis. Post background JNCC has a pivotal role working with the four countries of the UK to understand different approaches, share experiences across the countries and ensure best use is made of JNCC’s evidence sources as we strive to meet the Nature Positive 2030 vision. A key part of our evidence provision comes from developing techniques for applying satellite Earth observations, in combination with other data sources, to quantifying habitats and detecting change in their management, condition and the pressures affecting them. We are looking for a senior Earth observation specialist to help convene approaches and innovation across the sector, and to support the development of efficient data products that will help countries achieve their environmental goals. The post will be part of the Ecosystems Analysis Team which brings together three elements: An Earth observation data processing and analytical capability which is moving from an initial focus on spatial mapping of habitats to detecting change within spatial frameworks of habitats A set of long-term partnerships with bodies undertaking species surveillance through networks of volunteers An analysis and modelling capability producing rapidly deployable models. These include a range of models focused on predicting outcomes from changing land uses and environmental pressures Your role would work alongside all three elements to devise and lead the delivery of novel evidence products that provide strategic or actionable evidence for the management of biodiversity at UK and country levels. You will have the ability to interact effectively with technical experts as well as policy customers. Post Duties The post will lead JNCC’s development of analytical methods for the application of Earth observation data to meet our stakeholders evidence needs. These include cost-effective ways of mapping habitats; understanding habitat condition and how this affects ecosystem services and values; Earth observation-based parameters which are influential in models of species composition or abundance to help understand or predict the effect that changes in land use or pressures have on biodiversity. The main duties of the post are: Provide technical input and strategic steer to projects involving Earth observation, working alongside colleagues to ensure we use our resources effectively. To lead the development of novel cost-effective Earth observation-based products that meet stakeholder or customer priorities for evidence on habitat and ecosystem services. To develop and maintain an overview of the satellite, airborne and drone-based sensors and Earth observation techniques that are or will become cost-effective to deploy in meeting the evidence needs of our stakeholders and customers. To develop and maintain working relationships with stakeholder and partner sources of Earth observation expertise, including the Earth Observation Centre of Excellence, Scottish Remote Sensing Group and Wales EO group. Build relationships with academic, SME or other partners that can aid our delivery. Provide line management and staff development for a small number of team members. Managing projects to ensure delivery to time, cost and quality elements, including liaison with contractors and other agencies. Support proposal preparation for evidence work that aligns with our strategy. Provide quality control and assurance for analytical projects in line with JNCC evidence quality assurance policy. Technical To be a successful candidate you will have: Experience showing aptitude and creativity in applying Earth observation and remote-sensed data to meet environmentally related evidence requirements Experience of undertaking analysis using multiple large spatial data sets and of integrating these with models Experience (Responsibilities) To be a successful candidate you will have: Excellent analytical and writing skills, including experience of statistical analysis, synthesis of complex information and communicating complex concepts to technical and non-technical audiences Experience of project management Experience working in interdisciplinary teams Behaviours Seeing the Big Picture Communicating and Influencing Changing and Improving In the event that we receive a large volume of applications we reserve the right to conduct the sift based on the Lead Behaviour of Seeing the Big Picture Please see the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade. Nationality requirements This job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals JNCC do not provide sponsorship. Closing date and interview date The closing date for this post is 23:55 on Sunday, 23 February 2025 The anticipated interview date is week commencing Monday, 17 March 2025