Evidence Specialist/Analyst

Post Title: Evidence Specialist/Analyst
Team: Ecosystems Analysis
Ref No: 202577
Grade: H (HEO)
Type of appointment: Fixed-term: 1 year (maternity cover)

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:

The Ecosystems Analysis Team helps JNCC’s stakeholders meet the challenges of managing our environment and the benefits it provides.

This dynamic, multi-disciplinary team brings together three elements:

• A set of long-term partnerships with organisations undertaking species surveys in terrestrial, coastal and freshwater ecosystems using networks of volunteers.
• An analysis and modelling capability producing rapidly deployable models. These include a range of models focussed on predicting outcomes from changing land uses and environmental pressures.
• An Earth observation (EO) data processing and analytical capability with expertise in using EO to provide high-quality evidence on biodiversity and ecosystems to inform environmental decision making.

As a member of an interdisciplinary team, you will be expected to work across all three areas as required. Our work involves devising practical evidence solutions to complex problems including targeting investment for multiple ecosystem service outcomes, detecting the response of biodiversity to interventions at the local scale, understanding the impact of consumption on the environment, and devising workable indicators for soil health and biodiversity indicators.

JNCC is looking for an Evidence Specialist with experience synthesising evidence from diverse sources to devise approaches to complex problems. You will use your skills in research, analysis and facilitation to help ensure that environmental decision making is based on the best possible evidence. The team predominantly work on terrestrial projects, and you will be expected to support on a range of dynamic topics such as soil health, the potential for DNA monitoring, and supporting land use and spatial prioritisation within the UK.

Post Duties:

The post will be managed by a Senior Evidence Specialist and will work with evidence specialists, modellers, analysts, EO specialists, and surveillance experts. The main duties of the post are to:

• Establish the current state of knowledge and produce reviews on the tools and techniques available to quantify environmental pressures, activities or responses.
• Manage projects or work packages with support from senior staff, including contributing to work planning, scoping of potential future work, liaising with customers, staff and contractors, coordinating quality assurance processes for project outputs, and completing relevant project documentation.
• Collate and analyse information from stakeholders to help identify their evidence needs and to research options for tackling these needs. Deliver stakeholder engagement activities including workshops and briefings.
• Design and produce outputs from the evidence-base, including proofs of concept, indicators, tools, protocols, case studies, evidence for policy summaries, research reports, and published research, working collaboratively with others.

The post-holder may be required to attend meetings and other fora at various localities in the UK and potentially internationally, involving overnight stays away from home.

Technical:

To be a successful candidate you will have:

• A good understanding of the main ways in which terrestrial species and habitats can be monitored, and how data can be interpreted for multiple purposes including relating results to ecosystem service delivery and natural capital values.
• Good writing skills with an ability to synthesise complex information and communicate concepts to technical and non-technical audiences through a variety of means.

Experience (Responsibilities)

To be a successful candidate you will have:

• An ability to engage with stakeholders and partners, determine their priorities and work collaboratively with them.
• A logical analytical approach to understand complex scientific or societal issues and to identify the data and models likely to help inform them

Behaviours:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Managing a Quality Service

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 Communicating and Influencing

Please see the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade.

Artificial Intelligence Guidance

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism is identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own), applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Artificial intelligence and Recruitment /Civil Service Careers

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 Wednesday, 08 April 2026

The anticipated interview date is week commencing Monday, 27 April 2026