Marine Mammal Adviser

Post Title: Marine Mammal Adviser
Team: Marine Management
Ref No: 2026055
Grade: H (HEO)
Type of appointment: Permanent
Location: Peterborough or Aberdeen
Salary: £33,130 (Plus on call allowance is available)

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 our office base for 1 – 2 days a month as a minimum, this 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. 290 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.290 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

JNCC’s Marine Management Team provides evidence-based advice on the environmental impacts of activities taking place in the offshore marine environment to appropriate authorities responsible for their regulation. The advisory functions of the team are centred on helping government(s), regulators and developers meet the requirements of relevant legislation. Our teams core role focuses on advising on impacts of industry activity for example: offshore oil and gas, aggregate extraction and renewable energy, as well as other industry sectors. We also advise on the development of marine plans and policy surrounding marine industries.

We are seeking a Marine Mammal Adviser to support high profile ongoing protected species and offshore industries work within JNCC. The post-holder will be expected to take the lead on tasks and to work closely with others to seek their input where needed. They will routinely work with colleagues in the Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies, regulatory agencies, Defra and the Devolved Administrations.

Post Duties

The post holder will join a team of experienced marine mammal advisers and contribute towards the team’s advisory role for nature conservation issues. Duties include:

• Delivery of fast paced, marine mammal conservation advice on impacts from offshore industries, in particular on underwater noise and management for all relevant sectors. This will involve working in collaboration with colleagues in the country conservation agencies, regulators, industry and NGOs.
• Within agreed deadlines, assess offshore industries consent applications and provide high quality, evidence-based advice to regulators on the effects of those proposals on marine mammals in light of relevant legislation on protected species and their habitats.
• Provide marine mammal advice in the event of offshore pollution events and participate on the roster for duty officer, providing a 24/7 response service for environmental information and advice in the event of an offshore pollution incident (this includes on-call allowance uplift payments).
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders (e.g. developers, regulators and other nature conservation bodies across the UK)
• Organise project and/or partnership meetings and events, providing secretariat functions where necessary.
• As required, manage research project contracts to address key conservation issues associated with offshore industries and contribute to ongoing projects including marine mammal mitigation and noise management in MPAs.
• Support wider Marine Management work as required

Technical

To be a successful candidate you will be/have a relevant qualification (or equivalent experience) in marine biology, biological sciences, environmental sciences, or other relevant discipline.

Experience (Responsibilities)

To be a successful candidate you will have:

• Strong background in the science of marine mammals
• Detailed knowledge of the main provisions of UK and European/ International policy and legislation on the protection of marine mammal species and their habitats.
• Experience in reviewing and interpreting the effects of offshore industries on marine mammal species and their habitats, particularly in relation to underwater noise, within UK consenting processes.
• The ability to critically review scientific information, appraise and effectively communicate uncertainty and provide high quality, risk- based, impartial advice.

Behaviours

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

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 Making Effective Decisions.

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

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 have the amenities for sponsorship.

Closing Date and Interview Date

The closing date for this post is 23:55 on Tuesday, 10 November 2026.

The anticipated interview date is week commencing Monday, 23 November 2026.