SSO tNCEA Remote Sensing & Monitoring Devices
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 28th October 2024
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For details of our pay on appointment policy, please see below under the heading ‘Salary’.
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About the job
Job summary
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink.
The terrestrial Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment Programme (tNCEA) sits in the Central Analysis and Insights Directorate, overseen by Defra’s Chief Scientific Advisor. The programme aims to deliver a world-class knowledge capability for our natural environment which enables us to enhance our landscapes, improve biodiversity and encourage innovation. It will; develop integrated, adaptive and collaborative methods to measure our land and freshwater environments; transform physical and digital infrastructure to underpin, facilitate and present our understanding to aid decision-making; and deliver data, evidence-based insight and understanding to inform ambitious, proactive and sustainable policy decisions. The operating value of the Programme is c.£55m a year with completion due in 2028. Key partners include; the Environment Agency, Forest Research, JNCC, Natural England, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
Encouraging diverse applicants:
We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups.
Job description
About the tNCEA Science Delivery team
The Science Delivery team is one of three grade 6 led teams in the core of the NCEA programme. The team is responsible for ensuring the science undertaken by the programme is best practice and aligned to realising the Programme’s benefits in a timely and cost-effective manner. The team leads on: (i) Science Assurance; working with delivery partners to ensure that projects are established with the best science to meet policy and legislative goals (ii) Acting as tNCEA’s intelligent customer for environmental monitoring, ensuring that plans are workable and contribute to programme outcomes. (iii) Promote a science culture within the workings of the programme, adhering to the principles of a good science, with the aim of delivering the best possible science outcomes. (iv) Science design; ensuring that there is a sound monitoring survey design which will endure, building a strong evidence base for environmental assessment.
About the role
The programme is looking for an experienced professional with time working on earth observation and mapping, acoustic monitoring, continuous monitoring devices and similar techniques. This role is critical to delivery of a sustainable future model of environmental monitoring. You will use your expertise to explore and develop these techniques in the context of a) contributing to a baseline assessment of the environment within the life of the programme and b) designing a future sustainable model of environmental monitoring for Defra Group.
The SSO Remote Sensing & Monitoring Devices will work within a diverse, dispersed team of natural scientists and policy colleagues, supporting delivery of all projects in the programme as required but with a particular emphasis on their specialist area. The post holder will contribute to science assurance, briefings for Project Director and SRO, support for policy accounts, identifying and solving technical issues for delivery and maintaining technical relationships with partner organisations.
Key responsibilities:
- Enable successful delivery of the tNCEA Remote Sensing, and Innovation Projects, in particular ensuring the delivery of robust and high-quality outputs which support user needs through the science assurance process. Work as an intelligent customer to our delivery partners to support delivery of the work packages in line with customer requirements. Provide guidance and direction to the team and the programme on the use of Remote Sensing, acoustic and continuous monitoring devices.
- Support the Policy Accounts team with customer communications and requirements, using your technical expertise and in-depth understanding of tNCEA Remote Sensing, Mapping & Monitoring Devices work. This includes customers across Defra, UK Government and externally.
- Identify opportunities for innovation to support future sustainable environmental monitoring. Identify, develop and drive forward innovative solutions to monitoring natural capital assets and habitats through earth observation and other remote-sensing based approaches, working closely with external bodies and colleagues.
- Support cross-cutting programme activities as required, ensuring integration of remote sensing and mapping outputs. Monitor, challenge and guide the use of evidence and knowledge, challenging assumptions and current approaches.
- Develop, nurture, and manage stakeholder relationships to create and maintain a cohesive and collaborative environment for delivery. Represent tNCEA in the earth observation community.
Person specification
Experience and skills
We are looking for someone with the following skills and experience:
- DOMAIN KNOWLEDGE - A good understanding of environmental monitoring and remote sensing is essential
- ANALYSIS - Experience of analysing remote sensing data. Ability to delivery or oversee quality analysis to tight deadlines, identifying risks and issues and focusing on what matters most to inform decision making
- EXPERIENCE WORKING ON COMPLEX PROJECTS/PROGRAMMES - A proven ability to work on projects in a complex environment, with the ability to think strategically and critically about how your work fits into your organisations’ agenda and adapting accordingly to deliver outcome oriented products and outputs
- STAKEHOLDERS & COMMUNICATIONS - A proven track record as an excellent communicator, you will also have great stakeholder management skills, and the ability to build productive working relationships quickly and to engender confidence with colleagues and stakeholders
- COLLABORATION & CO-DESIGN – Experience working with customers or stakeholders to develop and deliver work, balancing the needs of various customers/stakeholders with the needs of your work area to successfully deliver mutually beneficial outcomes
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Changing and Improving
Benefits
A career in the Civil Service is like no other. If you’re looking to join a world class team and develop your career with us, then the Civil Service is the place for you! You might be wondering, “what’s in it for me”? Take a look below at some of the benefits available to you as a civil servant in Defra.
Science and Analysis Directorate Benefits:
Learning and Development
Everyone in Defra is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. When you join the Directorate, you will be welcomed into your new team through an induction programme that will provide you with helpful information on the civil service, Defra, our work and our policies. Your line manager will also work with you to establish your priorities for the year, developing a performance, learning and development plan tailored to you and your role, while also working with you to connect you with a civil service mentor to help empower you in your new role with the opportunity to benefit from paid for coaching.
Most importantly, we’re keen to invest in you! As a civil servant, you will also have access to Civil Service Learning where you can participate in professional development programmes across a wide spectrum of subjects and professions.
Department Benefits:
Technology
We’re a firm believer in agile and flexible working. When you join Defra, we’ll kit you out with a new Windows 10 Laptop, smartphone and rucksack to make sure that you perform your best wherever you are.
Leave
25 days' paid leave per annum rising to 30 days after five years’ service, in addition to eight public holidays and the King’s Birthday privilege day. We also offer
- competitive maternity, paternity, parental and adoption leave
- study leave for the pursuit of academic studies
- 3 days paid leave for volunteering per annum
- 15 days paid leave per year for reservist training; and
- generous paid sick leave
Cycle to Work Scheme
Defra loans you a bike for your commute as a tax-free benefit. At the end of the loan period, you have the option to buy the bike, saving 30% of the original cost.
Season Ticket and Bicycle Loan
We offer interest-free season ticket loans, to all Defra employees with more than three months’ service, for purchasing train and bus season tickets, as well as station car parking. For those unable to take advantage of tax-free benefits, we also offer an interest-free bicycle loan to enable the purchase of a bicycle for commuting.
Gym, Social and Sports Activities
Our offices have a range of different onsite facilities, including gym, fitness facilities, games room, showers and cycle storage. There are also a variety of networks and social groups to join. Ask your line manager for more information.
Restaurant and Café Facilities
A range of our offices offer onsite restaurant and café facilities.
Civil Service Benefits:
Pension
Your pension is a valuable part of your total reward package, and you will be given the chance to join one of three different pension plans. You can find more information on the Civil Service Pension on the MyCSP Website at www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk
Civil Service Sports Council
The Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC) organises a wide choice of activities throughout the UK, from art, gliding, abseiling and orienteering to cabaret weekends and quiz and curry nights. Your CSSC membership will provide you with FREE access to hundreds of national and local sites, in addition to savings at many high street stores, cinemas, restaurants and historic houses.
Office attendance
Successful candidates are expected to work from one of the office locations listed in this advert. Our current office attendance approach requires 60% attendance in Defra group workplaces or off site meetings with partners and customers. This balance provides thriving workplaces to connect with colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs balanced with personal flexibility and choice.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV (for sight only), Personal Statement and 4 Behaviour statements.
For the personal statement, in no more than 750 words, please demonstrate the essential role criteria and suitability for the role when writing your personal statement.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Sift
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour – Working together. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on Behaviours.
A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.
Interviews to be held via video link.
Interviews are expected to last no longer than 1 hour.
Location
As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s)
Where the location is ‘National’ the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.
Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based in a Defra group workplace/office. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.
Candidates applying for these roles will be based at one of the Defra hubs as advertised.
For information, our core Defra hub locations are:
- York – the Kings Pool
- Newcastle – Lancaster House
- Bristol – Horizon House (Please note that space at this office is limited and it may not be possible for all Policy roles to be recruited to this location)
- London – 2 Marsham Street
Internal (core Defra) employees can apply for this role and choose to remain in their current location or to be based in one of the advertised locations.
All other applicants will be based in one of the advertised locations. Our current office attendance approach requires 60% attendance in Defra group workplaces or off site meetings with partners and customers. This balance provides thriving workplaces to connect with colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs balanced with personal flexibility and choice.
Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.
The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.
Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Merit Lists
Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be posted in merit order by location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.
Salary
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Criminal Record Check
If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check maybe 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 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.
Reasonable Adjustment
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 defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk 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
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Internal Fraud Database Check
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
NSV
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
Higher Security Clearance:
Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter.
All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to London may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.
This is a permanent role as an SSO in the Terrestrial Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment Team.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Strategy, People and Resourcing
- Email : Sandc.resourcing@defra.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/contact-us/ to visit Civil Service Commission.
