This is a temporary post as a Marine Sustainability Adviser within the Sustainable Coasts and Seas Activity. There is currently considerable work underway to introduce new fisheries management provisions under the UK Fisheries Act 2020 and the Scotland's Fisheries Management Strategy 2020-2030. Meanwhile, a new National Marine Plan 2 is in development and the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Delivery Plan is being finalised. This post is focused on providing support for NatureScot's work in relation to sustainable inshore fisheries across Scotland and maximising the current opportunities to achieve good outcomes for nature and climate.
This is a full-time temporary post as a marine sustainability adviser within the Sustainable Coasts and Seas Activity. The post is focused on providing support for NatureScot's work in relation to sustainable inshore fisheries across Scotland.
This post will support NatureScot's advice and input to the Scottish Government's future fisheries management programme (including, for example, inshore fisheries management, the Fisheries Management Plans and the Future Catching Policy) and, in collaboration with Marine Ecosystems Team, our advice relating to protected areas and species.
This work supports the outcomes of NatureScot's corporate plan for 2022 to 2026 (in particular towards promoting nature recovery, net zero and sustainable use), and will also support NatureScot input to the implementation of Scotland's Fisheries Management Strategy 2020-2030 and the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy.
The main role of the post is to provide advice and support on NatureScot's work relating to inshore fisheries and the fisheries management, policy and legislative framework. The post holder will provide technical support and advice (within NatureScot and to relevant external customers) on sustainable inshore fisheries and the interactions with biodiversity.
The job will involve working closely with colleagues within NatureScot, primarily with the other fisheries-related advisers in our Sustainable Coasts And Seas and Marine Ecosystems Teams, but will also involve engagement and liaison with partner agencies in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the JNCC and with Marine Directorate. This requires collaborative working with a range of colleagues who are involved in sustainable fisheries management, marine protected areas, marine development advice (especially renewables and related infrastructure) and marine spatial planning.
In addition, the post holder may be involved in the commissioning, management and delivery of research or projects necessary to underpin our work.
The post holder will be an appropriately qualified and experienced specialist with a good understanding of Scotland's marine environment, policy and legislation relating to sustainable fishing. The post holder should have a detailed knowledge of the evidence base and the research methodologies used to understand and assess fishery interactions with the natural heritage.
The post-holder will also be expected to contribute to the wider work of the Activity as required.,
* Support the development of NatureScot's evidence base and advice in appropriate formats to inform fisheries management policy and wider plans and strategies.
* Support colleagues engaged in all aspects of NatureScot's marine fisheries work towards the corporate plan outcomes relevant to nature recovery, climate and sustainable use.
* Develop our evidence base through the review or synthesis of research publications and contribute to the development of marine fisheries guidance or advice outputs.
* Support the commissioning, management and/or participation in relevant research activities.
* Contribute to the development of marine fisheries content through the staff intranet and the NatureScot website.
* Contribute to the general work of the two marine Activity Teams, through attendance at Activity meetings, participation in Activity training events and input into the preparation, monitoring and delivery of business plan targets.
Role requirements: (Please refer to these in your Supporting Statement), 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.
Essential skills and demonstrable knowledge/experience through research or employment:
1. Sound understanding and relevant experience of marine fisheries, their ecology and their management - particularly in Scotland/UK.
2. Understanding of marine fisheries interactions with marine biodiversity.
3. Understanding of conservation and marine planning legislation relevant to Scotland's seas including the Marine (Scotland) Act and the designations and features that comprise the Scottish marine protected area network.
4. Working knowledge/experience of GIS.
5. Understanding of the Scottish fishing industry and issues, and preferably practical experience in assessing and analyzing fishing activity information.
6. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to review complex, technical information and convey that clearly to a variety of audiences both in writing and verbally.
7. Proven ability to plan and manage workloads, effectively balance competing priorities and meet multiple deadlines.
8. Strong interpersonal skills to enable effective representation to a variety of stakeholders including good influencing and negotiation skills.
9. A degree or equivalent in a relevant natural science such as zoology, biology, ecology, fisheries or environmental science plus relevant post-graduate experience.
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.
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.