Senior International Biodiversity Adviser - Negotiation

Post Title: Senior International Biodiversity Adviser
Team: International Advice Team
Ref No: 2026030
Grade: S (SEO)
Type of appointment: 2 Years Fixed-term
Location: Peterborough, Aberdeen, or Cardiff

This post will have a base in either Peterborough, Aberdeen or Cardiff.

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

This is an exciting and influential role for individuals who can follow technical and policy detail, while seeing the bigger picture. They will inform decision-making across government and wider society.

The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) is the statutory adviser to the UK Government on nature conservation in the UK and internationally, working at the science-policy interface.

The International Advice Team leads on providing advice to governments across the UK on a range of Multi-lateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) to which the UK is Party. These include the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES), the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), as well as to the subsidiary bodies of the MEAs and other affiliated science-policy platforms, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystems Services (IPBES). Our experts regularly form part of UK delegations at international meetings and engage with other associated international-level fora. We also work closely with the governments of the 4 devolved countries, the UK Overseas Territories, and the UK Crown Dependencies to deliver advice on implementation of the wide range of MEAs we support. Our work at an international scale is constantly changing as international and domestic priorities develop and as reflected in the JNCC Strategy.

The post holder will contribute to JNCC’s efforts that enable the UK to meet its international obligations across a number of MEAs. They will primarily lead JNCC’s contributions to negotiations under the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Post Duties

As a Senior Biodiversity Adviser, you will provide expert advice on the UK’s negotiating positions in intergovernmental fora, provide advice in ‘real-time’ during intergovernmental negotiations, contribute to intergovernmental technical advisory bodies, and contribute to wider nature-related Government evidence and research programmes.

In this role, you will be expected to become a national or even international leader in your respective specialism(s). JNCC will support you to reach your full potential, as we recognise that our work areas are niche and new postholders may lack the experience to immediately become a national or international leader when they start at JNCC.

You will be required to have a good understanding of the importance of the relationship between scientific research, evidence and policy development. You will work closely with officials in Defra, other UK government departments and the devolved governments, and with specialists from across JNCC and the Country Nature Conservation Bodies. This will support the development of advice and guidance on a variety of international issues and their implementation at the UK level.

You will work with a wide range of specialists and stakeholders in this role. You will undertake policy-relevant analysis and develop practical advice in a fast-moving science-policy environment.

Significant international travel will be required in this post.

You will principally focus on leading JNCC’s contributions to UK negotiations under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). You may also be required to work across other MEAs to support team resilience and leverage opportunities for cross-MEA impact. Tasks may include:

• Leading the development of scientific and technical advice to Defra, the Devolved Administrations, and the Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies on issues relating to international biodiversity.
• Leading the work of a small team in preparations for international meetings including drafting documents, gathering and analysing relevant evidence, and preparing briefings for UK delegations.
• Representing JNCC at relevant meetings in the UK and participating in UK Government delegations at international meetings, including at the Conferences of the Parties and at other related intersessional meetings.
• Regularly contribute to or lead small interdisciplinary project teams that draw upon staff from across JNCC, ensuring such teams effectively and efficiently deliver their objections to the required deadlines and within budget.
• Leading the development of new projects.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders to enable delivery against UK objectives and meet wider UK policy commitments.
• Directly line manage one or more H-Grade staff, ensuring they have the correct direction and resources to successfully undertake their work. Proactively develop line reports to support them in reaching their full potential.
• Proactively contribute to the effective and efficient functioning of the International Advice Team, the International Directorate, and wider JNCC.

Technical

To be a successful candidate you will be/have:

• Excellent understanding of international policies and legislation, including an understanding of the sub-national and national governmental structures of the UK, ideally through first-hand experience.

Experience (Responsibilities)

To be a successful candidate you will have:

• Experience translating science into compelling, concise communication materials that inform decision-making processes.
• Experience participating in intergovernmental decision-making processes and negotiations.
• Experience diplomatically engaging with policymakers, stakeholders and partners, determining their priorities and working collaboratively within intergovernmental fora.
• Experience in identifying and explaining the connections between biodiversity and other fields, such as climate change, national security, and public health.

Behaviours

• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture
• 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 Working Together.

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 Sunday, 05 July 2026

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