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.
Post background
You will be joining a new Economics Team in JNCC where you would be involved in a variety of cross-cutting, high-profile projects. Economists work with scientists on terrestrial, marine, and international programmes. You will also work closely with UK government departments, country conservation bodies such as Natural England and Nature Scot, and advise governments overseas.
To address the twin climate and biodiversity crises we need innovative thinking to integrate the value of nature into policymaking. JNCC’s mission is turning science into action for nature. To be a successful candidate you will need a background in economics and a desire to use those skills to translate science into real world outcomes that reverse biodiversity decline.
You will need to be able to:
• Build good working relationships with inter-disciplinary teams across JNCC and with external stakeholders.
• Be enthusiastic about taking on new learning opportunities and experiences. While you don’t need a scientific background you will work with experts across a range of fields related to biodiversity.
• Be proactive in spotting opportunities to use economics to solve problems.
• Synthesise and communicate economic information clearly and effectively to non-economists.
Post Duties
You will need to be able to work flexibly across the organisation. Key areas where you may be working include.
• Blue and Green Finance. We need innovative thinking to explore how existing markets can be adapted to better promote nature-based solutions, support the development of new markets such as Marine Net Gain, and develop idea new ideas for financing nature recovery in the UK and overseas.
• Advise UK Overseas Territories and developing nations on how to transition to sustainable blue and green economies that balance poverty reduction with preserving natural capital.
• Natural capital assessment. Economists work with our terrestrial and marine assets to help develop better measures the economic value of natural assets, and contributing to ecological models which better understand how human activities impact the delivery of ecosystem services.
• Support our terrestrial and marine teams to understand how spatial prioritisation can help policymakers to balance the competing objectives including growth, net zero, and nature recovery.
• Work closely with policymakers in all four UK nations to incorporate the value of nature into decision-making.
• Work with terrestrial and international pollution teams to develop a better understanding of the impact of pollution on nature and ecosystem service delivery.
As part of your role, you may occasionally be required to travel. including international travel.
Technical
We require the following technical skills (GES Technical Framework)
• GES – Application of Knowledge
• GES – Analysis of Data
• GES – Effective Communication
Applicants must be able to meet the requirements for the Government Economics Service (GES). You need to have a first or upper second class honours degree with at least 50% of the modules in economics, or a postgraduate degree in economics. You must have studied both micro and macroeconomics.
Behaviours
• Changing and Improving
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
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 Changing and Improving
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident .