Job Description

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Job Title: 1014-346 Biodiversity and Climate Change Engagement Officer | Grade: D | Salary \xc2\xa335,039 | Hours: 35 | Vacancy Type: Temporary for one year with possible extension | Location: Battleby or Edinburgh preferred but other main offices will be considered with home and hybrid working arrangements | Closing Date: Midday, 29 August 2023 | Internal Interview Date: 18 September 2023 | External Interview Date: 18 September 2023

Job Purpose Summary

This job will help to engage underrepresented groups in the work of NatureScot and to specifically encourage wider input of their views into consultations and the development our priority work. (Key groups include young people, minority ethnic groups, and disability and inclusion groups.)

It will achieve this through:

• engaging young people in our work through implementation of our youth action plan
• promoting the use of co- design and co- production as best practice in engaging with stakeholders.
• developing an outreach and engagement strategy for our NNRs and new National Parks
• managing and delivering the Future Routes Fund
• inputting to our development of a Nature Connectedness indicator/ approach for NatureScot.

The post is based in the People and Places Activity but the role will include supporting the work of other teams in engaging with these underrepresented groups in our priority work.

There may also be a need to support colleagues with stakeholder engagement activities related to, for example, the 30x30 programme.

Role Requirements * Demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the main areas of responsibilities associated with this role gained through working in a similar role OR a Degree or equivalent professional qualification, SVQ level 5 and 6.

• Apply knowledge to achieve set objectives with limited guidance.
• Written and verbal communication skills with the ability to advice and influence.
• Demonstrate accuracy with both numeracy and literacy skills.
• Working knowledge of relevant systems, equipment, processes and procedures including standard software packages, with limited use of non-standard software.
• Effective planning, organising and prioritising and familiarity with own priorities and those of colleagues.
• Understand relevant policies, legislation and procedures relevant to this role and remain aware of emerging technical, policy and procedural developments.
• Understand health and safety policies and procedures relevant to this role, and the quality of outputs and standards required.
• Demonstrate customer service / interpersonal / team working skills.
• Any other reasonable task assigned

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities * Establish good relationships with, and seek to advise and influence, a wide range of stakeholders to support the delivery of our corporate priorities.

• Communicate, using appropriate styles, methods and timing, including digital channels, to maximise understanding and impact.
• Share subject-specific expertise on policy/strategy development and be alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact or benefit own and teams work.
• Find ways to improve systems and structures to achieve outcomes in an efficient way.
• Recognise patterns and trends in a wide range of evidence/data and draw key conclusions, costs, benefits, risks and potential responses
• Line management responsibilities for example prioritising, organising and monitoring other peoples work.
• Identify and develop team members to support succession planning, coaching, mentoring and the development of others.

Specific Key Tasks and Responsibilities

The key tasks and responsibilities include: * Engaging underrepresented groups.

• Input and support underrepresented groups in NatureScot public engagement opportunities and consultations
• Support revision of Nature Scot\'s Young People\'s Action Plan and our commitments to the
• Establish and maintain relationships with key underrepresented groups and support their enjoyment, understanding and interaction with nature.
• Represent People and Places activity on the Young Employee Panel.
• Input to development of a Minority Ethnic Engagement Action Plan

2. Facilitate co-design and co-production

• Promote codesign best practice and support its use in SBS, Nature Network and 30x30 consultations and project work of the organisation.
• Embed effective and collaborative service design work with young people and other underrepresented groups into the new operating model for NatureScot.
• Support the embedding of co- design co-production and the place making approach to the work of SNH and our partners.

3. Develop an outreach strategy for our NNRs and new National Parks

• Review recent and current practice and work with NNR staff and under-represented groups to develop a new strategy
• Provide support to NNR staff to develop projects and programmes which support delivery of the strategy
• Support the consultation and engagement activity needed for the reporting work on new National Parks

4. Future Routes Fund

• Manage the delivery of Future Routes Fund 2023

5.Nature connectedness.

• Support input to the Making Space for Nature Campaign and help develop the campaign to inspire people to follow the 5 pathways to nature connectedness.
• Support development of evidence base and indicators on connectedness with nature to better understand the ways of supporting behavioural change to engage and connect people with nature and where people value and respect the natural environment.

Specific Role requirements: * Demonstrate an understanding of how co design and co -production can help in the process of engaging underrepresented groups in tackling the twin nature and climate emergencies

• Demonstrate an understanding of the issues and challenges faced by under represented groups in Scotland ( specifically young people, minority ethnic groups, and disability and inclusion groups.

Person Specification Essential

• Demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the main areas of responsibilities associated with this role gained through working in a similar role OR a Degree or equivalent professional qualification, SVQ level 5 and 6.

• Written and verbal communication skills with the ability to advise and influence colleagues and external partners.

• Apply knowledge to achieve set objectives with limited guidance.

• Demonstrate accuracy with both numeracy and literacy skills.

• Demonstrate good customer service / interpersonal / team working skills.

• Understanding of policies, legislation and procedures relevant to this role and remain aware of emerging technical, policy and procedural developments.

• Demonstrate knowledge and experience of using social media platforms.

• Demonstrate knowledge and experience of running behavioural change campaigns.

• Demonstrate extensive experience of working with young people, minority ethnic groups and disability and inclusion groups.

• Demonstrate knowledge and experience of using co - design and co - production with young people and other key stakeholders.

• Ability to travel across Scotland and attend evening and weekend meetings.

Desirable

• Demonstrate an understanding of role placemaking principles and place based approach can have in engaging the public.

• Demonstrate experience in event management and planning.

• Demonstrate the knowledge of use of nature-based solutions to support biodiversity and climate change needs

Prerequisites Required

• Applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK and resident in Scotland for the duration of the job contract
• 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. .

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

If you have previously applied for a vacancy with NatureScot you must remove the supporting statement from your profile, before uploading a new version.

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

Contact details for further information on this vacancy:

Dougie Pollok, Biodiversity Engagement and Learning Manager

Email:

For further information regarding the application process please contact:

People and Organisational Development, NatureScot, Great Glen House, Inverness, IV3 6NW

Email:

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.

NatureScot