Senior Fisheries Advisor

Post Title: Senior Fisheries Advisor
Team: Marine Species Team
Ref No: 2026036
Grade: S
Type of appointment: Fixed-term until August 2027

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:

As part of the Marine Species Team in JNCC, we provide expert advice on the impacts of fishing on marine biodiversity in UK waters and beyond. JNCC is responsible for the provision of clear, evidence-based advice to fisheries policy makers and managers to all countries in the UK on environmental impacts of fishing in the offshore. Our work is particularly focused on supporting implementation of Fisheries Management Plans as laid out in the 2020 UK Fisheries Act.

We are seeking a Senior Fisheries Advisor to work closely with colleagues, across JNCC and partner agencies, responsible for advice on conservation of marine ecosystems and mobile species. The post holder will provide advice on the implementation of fisheries measures in UK offshore MPAs, assessing the effectiveness of those measures and to assist in the implementation of wider policy ambition to deliver a more ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management. The post-holder will be expected to work very closely with partners in its sister statutory nature conservation bodies, with other scientists, with regulators and with UK and Devolved Governments. It is also expected that they will routinely engage with industry representatives.

The post-holder will work collaboratively with existing senior fisheries advice staff but will also be expected to lead on certain issues.

Post Duties:

The postholder will carry out a range of functions with the overall objective of contributing to the provision of advice on the impacts of fishing in UK offshore waters, such as:

1. Support the implementation of UK fisheries management plans including advising managers on effectiveness of plans as part of FMP review process.
2. Continue to develop scientific understanding of the effects of different fishing gears on marine habitats and species, including leading on fisheries impact R&D projects as required.
3. Ensure that all fisheries advice work produced by JNCC is well-informed, relevant and meets evidence quality standards.
4. Act as line manager for Marine Species Team colleagues as needed.
5. Support the Marine Species Team in the identification of opportunities and development of bids for externally funded income

The post-holder may be required to carry out other work to support JNCC’s marine programmes as necessary.

Technical:

To be a successful candidate you will be/have:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject and/or relevant recent practical work experience

Experience (Responsibilities)

To be a successful candidate you will have:

• Knowledge of the main provisions of UK fisheries legislation and management
• Detailed knowledge of the main provisions of UK and Devolved Government marine conservation policy
• The ability to critically review scientific information, appraise and effectively communicate uncertainty and provide high quality, risk- based, impartial advice.
• Knowledge of the UK fishing industry
• General knowledge of UK marine biodiversity

Behaviours:

• Working Together
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions

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, 02 August 2026
The anticipated interview date is week commencing Monday, 17 August 2026