OFFICE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Senior Environmental Analyst- Marine Specialist
Reference number: 417066
Salary: £41,220 - £45,400
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Contract type: Fixed term
Secondment
Working pattern: Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
Location: Northern Ireland, West Midlands (England)
Job summary
Do you have a strong understanding of marine science, or policy and regulation frameworks across the United Kingdom?
Can you synthesise complex scientific, policy, and regulatory research to develop clear, actionable plans?
Can you summarise that information into clear, accessible reports for Ministers, Parliament and the public?
If so, then we want to hear from you.
The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) mission is to protect and improve the natural environment. Established by the Environment Act 2021, our role is to hold government and public bodies in England and Northern Ireland to account. We do this in several ways including reporting on progress towards environmental commitments, advising on changes to environmental laws and receiving complaints from the public, which can lead to us investigations and taking enforcement action.
This role is based within the OEP's Insights Directorate which leads on progressing our strategic objective of holding governments to account for delivery of environmental goals and targets, in accordance with Environmental Improvement Plans.
With a total staff of just over 90, we are a dynamic, friendly and flexible organisation covering both England, Northern Ireland, and environmental matters reserved to the UK government. We offer flexible working arrangements, including part time and job share arrangements, high profile, dynamic work and the chance to have an impact on improving the state of the environment.
To find out more about the OEP, what we do, who we are and our current work, visit the OEP website
The OEP is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra in England and DAERA in Northern Ireland which means it operates independently from Defra. Our employees are public servants and as part of the benefits package, employees have the opportunity to enrol in the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
Job description
We are looking for an individual to work within and support our marine programme. Our work in the marine environment focuses on holding government to account on the implementation of environmental law concerned with tackling key drivers of marine ecosystem degradation in England and Northern Ireland.
So far, we have reviewed the drivers and pressures affecting the UK marine environment, undertaken evidence assessments of topics including aquaculture, bycatch, marine protected areas, and underwater noise. Reports are available on the OEP's website. We are also evaluating the achievability of Good Environmental Status (GES), and investigating Defra's duty to achieve GES in the marine environment. For more information see the OEP's website.
In the coming months, we plan to:
• Synthesise evidence reports to inform the development of clear, strategic next steps for the marine programme.
• Develop and enhance the marine evidence base to support Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) reporting in England and Northern Ireland.
Key areas we expect the role-holder will support include:
• Translation of science and regulatory analysis into policy relevant recommendations.
• Engagement, collaboration and management of relationships with experts, stakeholders from a wide range of disciplines.
• Support wider specialist functions such as providing advice to government and analytical support towards the monitoring of environmental law, reviewing complaints and when undertaking investigations.
This role will provide technical and scientific support across these activities as needed.
The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £41,220, Office for Environmental Protection contributes £11,941 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Leave and Flexible Working
The OEP offers 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days over 5 years for all new entrants.
Additional paid leave is available where necessary to cater for a variety of situations including, but not limited to, family-related leave, volunteering days, exam and study leave, public duties and trade union activities. In addition, we offer a generous enhanced maternity leave, parental leave and shared parental leave policy.
The OEP is supportive of flexible working and has a flexible working policy to allow for variations in individuals working hours where this is compatible with business need.
Staff Wellbeing
Staff wellbeing is extremely important and the OEP strives to provide access to numerous resources to aid the wellbeing of its employees. Current initiatives include:
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing free and confidential 24/7 telephone advice and guidance to support employees with both personal and employment issues. This may include personal wellbeing, career development or legal matters such as landlord / tenant disputes.
• Access to an Occupational Health Service to provide a range of support service to help with the way you feel at work.
• Access to trained Mental Health First Aiders and wider Defra Group mental health first aid network and resources.
• Free access to Headspace, a mindfulness, meditation and sleep app.
• Access to a Financial Wellbeing Portal.
• Free eye tests and a contribution to glasses/ lenses if required for VDU use.
Salary Sacrifice, Discounts and SmartTech Benefits
All employees have access to the STaR, Reward Gateway an online platform providing access to hundreds of discounts, offers and cashback options with well-known retailers. They offer a SmartTech scheme, a Cash Healthcare plan and numerous other benefits and services.
Criminal Record Check
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service or Access NI on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact
OEP Recruitment
Email: recruitment@theoep.org.uk
Recruitment team
Email: recruitment@theoep.org.uk
Closing date: Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 10 August 2025.