Description Job title: 1019-316 /1019-321 Scottish Biodiversity Metric Officer (2 positions) | Grade: D | Hours: 35 | Vacancy type: FTA 2 years | Location: Any NatureScot office or homeworking location | Closing date: 6th May 2025 | Interviews: TBC | Salary: £38,616 Job Purpose Summary These are two 2-year FTA roles within NatureScot’s Supporting Good Development (SGD) team. The team works to; Protect – influence business, development and regulation so that it safeguards nature, including protected areas and landscapes. Restore – provide targeted and influential advice on proposals to enable good quality development that enhances biodiversity and place. Value – engage with key business and community interests and industry sectors to help them maximise the advantages nature and high quality places bring them. The post will focus on delivering the SG Commission - A Scottish Biodiversity Metric to develop a Scottish biodiversity metric for the planning system (based on England’s Statutory biodiversity metric). The Scottish metric will support delivery of National Planning Framework 4 policy but will also be relevant to work supporting private sector investment in nature, new agricultural support mechanisms and biodiversity monitoring requirements. This is an exciting opportunity to focus the requirements in Policy 3 of NPF4 toward practical delivery of biodiversity enhancement on the ground, and define one of the mechanisms through which enhancement is quantified. The work will require analysis and new thinking, working with experts across the organisation on a range of issues, engaging with stakeholders and adapting the work as our understanding evolves. The work builds on the SRUC review of approaches to measuring biodiversity, and will leave an important legacy for the planning system and nature. In addition to the development of a Scottish biodiversity metric, there will be the need to establish a programme for capacity building (internally and externally), and requirements for future maintenance, review, development and updating of the tool. Key Responsibilities With the Project Manager undertake the work necessary to deliver the Scottish Government’s commission for a Scottish biodiversity metric for the planning system. Final outputs will include a biodiversity metric tool, guidance and supporting content, and recommendations for the metric’s future maintenance, updating and associated support required. Undertake analysis of England’s Statutory Biodiversity Metric, to inform, develop and test approaches for Scotland’s biodiversity metric. Engage with a range of key stakeholders internally and externally to inform, develop and test the approaches being considered. This will include developing pilots, examining case studies, preparing content for and attending stakeholder and task subgroups. Prepare and contribute to the production of technical advice on certain aspects of practice in advance of a Scottish biodiversity metric being finalised in order to provide early signalling to stakeholders. Prepare and contribute to the Excel spreadsheet based Scottish metric tool, and guidance and associated resources supporting its application. Skills Required (Please refer to these in your Supporting Statement) A relevant, accredited degree in ecology, environmental sciences environmental planning or closely-related discipline with transferable knowledge, and / or membership of a relevant professional body (eg. CIEEM, IEMA, RTPI). An understanding of the Scottish Planning system, with knowledge of the contribution of development to enhancing biodiversity and the biodiversity net gain (BNG) approach. A strong understanding of England’s Statutory Biodiversity Metric (the ‘Defra metric’), and similar tools and quantitative approaches to assessing biodiversity such as the SSE BNG toolkit; including an understanding of habitat classification systems and Scottish habitats, habitat survey techniques and ecological impact assessment reports for development. Ability to interrogate issues, test ideas, challenge established thinking and develop appropriate solutions with colleagues in NatureScot and stakeholders. Effective communication skills, and the ability to convey technical issues to specialist and general audiences, and provide concise written papers, briefings and guidance. Effective interpersonal skills including: engagement, negotiating, influencing, networking and forging good working relationships with a range of stakeholders. The postholder will need a strong understanding of NatureScot’s purpose and priorities, and of the political environment in which NatureScot operates. Strong project management and organisational skills, and the ability to meet deadlines under pressure, using your own initiative and as part of a dispersed team. Creativity and versatility in approach to work, with a proven ability to be adaptive to changing situations and embracing of new areas of work. The ability to use Microsoft Office software (for remote and hybrid working, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and communicating), with a good understanding of Excel (for example in its application by the English metric). Driving licence or other means of transport required. Prerequisites To undertake a Disclosure Scotland application. Applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK and resident in Scotland for the duration of the job contract. Applicants must be able to travel across Scotland to attend meetings and site visits as required – this may involve occasional overnight stays away from home. Gaelic language Although Gaelic language is not a prerequisite it is a desirable skill in support of our commitment to our Gaelic Language Plan. NatureScot’s Net Zero commitment Whether working at home or in an office, or travelling to meetings and site visits, as a NatureScot you will contribute to our Net Zero plan, for example through positive carbon travel choices. Application Process Before applying for this post: Internal applicants should read the Self Service Guide (eRDMS A3155575) External applicants should read the Online Job Application Guide All Applicants please note if you have already applied for a vacancy on Fusion please ensure you remove the supporting statement saved in your profile and upload your new supporting statement. Interviews External candidates will be invited to interview if we are unable to recruit internally For information regarding the vacancy please contact Darren Hemsley and Paul Taylor - Supporting Good Development Email: Darren.hemsley@nature.scot or paul.taylor@nature.scot Tel: 01738 458617 or 01738 458846 For information regarding the recruitment process please contact: recruitment@nature.scot Nature is vital to us all, so it's important that NatureScot represents the people of Scotland. The more diverse our workforce is, the more effectively we can connect everyone with nature. We encourage applications from candidates of all ages and genders, people from ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ community.