The role will be based in the FC operations hub, Bucks Horn Oak, Surrey, with flexibility for some optional blended working (see details below). Use of other FC offices may be considered, depending on where the successful candidate lives. Travel across the wider South East and London region will be required as needed to support delivery. Please note this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.
Job Summary
The Forestry Commission are the government's forestry experts and we work to protect, improve and expand England's woods and forests. This is done by providing policy advice to government and leading delivery through regulation, incentives and protecting tree health.
By joining the Forestry Commission, you will become part of a team of passionate, committed colleagues, and be able to build on a wealth of expertise to take this ambitious work forward. You will be able to make your mark by helping the Forestry Commission to transform how we work together and reach new stakeholders. Our work involves engagement with an enormous range of people and organisations, from small landowners and wood business through to large corporations and other public bodies. We work with other government departments, non-government organisations and the private sector; this is in recognition that we cannot deliver policy on our own and with good collaboration can deliver more than the sum of the partners.
Job Description
The Local Partnership advisor is crucial to provide partnership and stakeholder engagement. You will work closely with members of the area team to protect, improve and expand woodland though proactively engaging with planning authorities & systems and supporting capacity building within the Area team and the woodland sector.
Key work areas
* Champion the role of trees and woodland as part of green infrastructure via the planning system and by working with key stakeholders/partners such as catchment partnerships, National Parks, Protected Landscapes and landscape / woodland partnerships. Collaborate and support Area colleagues with the development of innovative and effective promotion and engagement to deliver woodland creation.
* Proactively engage with the planning system to protect woodland from development via formal responses to National Strategic Infrastructure Projects (NSIP's) and lead on engagement with the planning system. Work with local authorities, conservation organisations and partnerships to encourage them to produce tree and woodland strategies and to consider trees and woodland as part of their responsibilities/remit. Take a lead on both standard and bespoke responses to planning applications.
* Work collaboratively to encourage resilient managed woodlands. Work with partners to improve the management of trees and woodland in the wider landscape. Market development: Champion the role of the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) in demonstrating the sustainability of forestry and forest products and support initiatives to promote the benefits of woodland management, wood products and supply chains. Support the wider team with its obligations under the 25 year environmental plans. This will include working with Defra, Natural England and the Environment Agency to support local authorities with Local Nature Recovery Strategies.
* Partnership and stakeholder engagement - Support the area team and the partnership and the Regional Promotions Manager and their team in particular with communications and events management. Support training of the sector to meet the challenges and opportunities facing the South East and London area. Inspire others to manage trees and woodlands and to raise the profile of trees / woodlands and the need for management. Support and influence strategic partnerships such as Local Enterprise Partnerships, Local Nature Partnerships, Local Nature Recovery Strategies, the Defra group (notably Natural England and the Environment Agency) and key partners such as Confor, Woodland Trust, National Parks and Protected Landscapes.
* People management and Area business improvement: Line management of staff may be a requirement of the role.
The successful applicant will have a passion for woodlands and forests and for the benefits to society, the environment and the economy they provide. They will advocate with knowledge and enthusiasm the environmental and other benefits that woodlands provide.
The Local Partnership advisor is crucial to provide partnership and stakeholder engagement. You will work closely with members of the area team to protect, improve and expand woodland though proactively engaging with planning authorities & systems and supporting capacity building within the Area team and the woodland sector.
Key work areas
* Champion the role of trees and woodland as part of green infrastructure via the planning system and by working with key stakeholders/partners such as catchment partnerships, National Parks, Protected Landscapes and landscape / woodland partnerships. Collaborate and support Area colleagues with the development of innovative and effective promotion and engagement to deliver woodland creation.
* Proactively engage with the planning system to protect woodland from development via formal responses to National Strategic Infrastructure Projects (NSIP's) and lead on engagement with the planning system. Work with local authorities, conservation organisations and partnerships to encourage them to produce tree and woodland strategies and to consider trees and woodland as part of their responsibilities/remit. Take a lead on both standard and bespoke responses to planning applications.
* Work collaboratively to encourage resilient managed woodlands. Work with partners to improve the management of trees and woodland in the wider landscape. Market development: Champion the role of the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) in demonstrating the sustainability of forestry and forest products and support initiatives to promote the benefits of woodland management, wood products and supply chains. Support the wider team with its obligations under the 25 year environmental plans. This will include working with Defra, Natural England and the Environment Agency to support local authorities with Local Nature Recovery Strategies.
* Partnership and stakeholder engagement - Support the area team and the partnership and the Regional Promotions Manager and their team in particular with communications and events management. Support training of the sector to meet the challenges and opportunities facing the South East and London area. Inspire others to manage trees and woodlands and to raise the profile of trees / woodlands and the need for management. Support and influence strategic partnerships such as Local Enterprise Partnerships, Local Nature Partnerships, Local Nature Recovery Strategies, the Defra group (notably Natural England and the Environment Agency) and key partners such as Confor, Woodland Trust, National Parks and Protected Landscapes.
* People management and Area business improvement: Line management of staff may be a requirement of the role.
The successful applicant will have a passion for woodlands and forests and for the benefits to society, the environment and the economy they provide. They will advocate with knowledge and enthusiasm the environmental and other benefits that woodlands provide.
Person specification
Essential
* Degree/Higher Diploma in forestry/land management/countryside management/ environment management/ or planning and/or significant related experience in partnership working centred on land management / planning / tree and forestry issues.
* Competent and effective IT user with experience of MS Office and also including remote working and associated communication tools (e.g. MS Teams).
* Experience of stakeholder management - building strong business relationships and collaborative working to deliver mutually beneficial results.
* Confident interpersonal and communication skills with experience of presenting to a range of audiences, both verbally and written.
* People management experience or the capability to take on this responsibility.
Please clearly demonstrate how the above applies to you throughout your application. Failure to do so will mean that your application is automatically sifted out.
DESIRABLE
* Member, or working towards membership, of the Institute of Chartered Foresters (MICFor), TCPI, CIEEM or other relevant chartered body.
* Experience of organising events.
* Experience of the planning system.
* Experience in facilitating market growth in the forestry sector.
* Qualification and/or experience in marketing and / or communications.
Licences
This post will involve regular travel, therefore applicants need to hold and continue to hold, a full current driving license that enables them to drive in the UK.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Communicating and Influencing
* Making Effective Decisions
* Seeing the Big Picture
* Working Together
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
* Communicating and Influencing
Alongside your salary of £39,135, Forestry Commission contributes £11,337 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
* A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
* A range of family friendly benefits.
* An environment with flexible working options.
* Learning and development tailored to your role.
* A culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment.
* A range of wellbeing benefits including discounted Civil Service Healthcare, access to an Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, Bike to Work Scheme, plus many more.
* 25 days annual leave, with 1 additional day for each years' service up to 5 years (pro rata), plus 10.5 bank holidays/privilege days (pro rata).
* Ability to buy or sell 5 days annual leave.
* 3 days volunteering per year (pro rata).
We aim to provide a great place to work, whichever location you work from. Blended working forms part of our flexible and inclusive approach to future ways of working. It is an informal arrangement which gives you the option to work some of the week from home, and some of the week from our Forestry Commission workplaces, subject to role requirements, business needs, and regular review. Informal blended working arrangements will be available as agreed with the line manager.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
This is a Fixed Term Appointment ending 31 March 2026, with possibility but no guarantee of extension or permanency.
As part of the application process, you will complete the following online:
* A tailored CV (curriculum vitae) setting out your qualifications, career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years. The CV will be split into 3 parts and request: Job History, Previous Skills/Experience, Full Qualification Details.
* A personal statement – in no more than 500 words showing how you meet the relevant skills and experience as set out in the Person Specification.
* A statement, of no more than 250 words, providing an example of how you have demonstrated the key behaviour of Communicating and Influencing.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Should a large number of applications be received, the initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour: Communicating and Influencing. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Sift
Application sift is planned for the week commencing 29th September 2025
Interview
Interviews will be held on 15th October - this date is subject to change. The interviews are likely to take place in person at Bucks Horn Oak, Surrey.
Those invited to interview will be further assessed on Experience, Behaviours and Strengths. You may be asked to complete a simple exercise or presentation as part of this.
We may be conducting online interviews with the use of Microsoft Teams. Candidates would therefore require access to a computer and internet at interview stage.
Further information will be available for candidates invited to interview.
Further information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to Forestry Commission from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance 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- stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
The Forestry Commission is actively working to reduce the carbon emission of official travel and applicants should be aware of the broad principles which are being applied to reduce carbon emissions to less than 50gCO2/km.
Travel options include
* Use of private car: some Officers chose to use their private car and receive payment for the miles they drive on official business. If your private car emits more than 120 gCO2/km it can only be used for two years from the date a new Officer starts working for the Forestry Commission. After that date, we expect private vehicles used for official travel to emit significantly less.
The duties of this post require the applicant to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK. However, the Forestry Commission is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by any other means.
This role is full-time. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Existing Civil Servants (excluding Forestry Commission employees) and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, and will only be considered on a loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant.
Existing Forestry Commission, Forestry England and Forest Research employees are eligible to apply for this Fixed Term Appointment and will only be considered if there is written confirmation from their line manager and HR that their current role will be temporarily backfilled or held open before commencing the application process.
Where a role has been identified as one which falls under the scope of the Public Sector English Language Requirements, within Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, it is essential that applicants should have the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English. Applicants will be assessed in the selection process in accordance with the requirements.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
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 has been 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. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Reasonable adjustments
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact Government Recruitment Service via as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the "Assistance required" section in the "Additional requirements" page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups
* UK nationals
* nationals of the Republic of Ireland
* nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
* Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact
* Name : FS Recruitment
* Email :
Recruitment team
* Email :
Further information
Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Principles.If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact FCE by email: If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.