Marine Policy Analyst Edinburgh, Scotland
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About the job
Job summary
ESS was established by the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021, which received royal ascent in January 2021. ESS was established and gained its statutory functions and powers on 1 October 2021.
ESS has been set up to ensure environmental laws and standards are adhered to in Scotland, replacing the European Union’s scrutiny and enforcement role.
The remit of ESS covers a broad range of environmental law, including all aspects of environmental protection and harm, particularly in relation to human beings and their enjoyment of the environment.
ESS’ role is to scrutinise, investigate and secure improvements in public authorities’ compliance with environmental law, the effectiveness of environmental law, and the way it is being implemented and applied in Scotland.
ESS is accountable to the Scottish Parliament for the effective performance of its functions. It has recently published its Strategic Plan, setting out how it will operate and function, including how it will act objectively, impartially, proportionately and transparently.
ESS will:
- Monitor information about the quality of the environment in Scotland and the effectiveness of environmental law, including representations brought forward by citizens and interested groups;
- Seek information from public authorities, including the Scottish Government, and working with the public authorities to understand the background to regulatory policies and practices;
- Select a number of cases for detailed investigation, prioritising cases where there is the greatest risk to the environment;
- Work with public authorities, where necessary, to seek to agree changes in practice to reflect environmental law, or develop advice on recommended changes to the law to improve its effectiveness.
This post sits within the Strategy and Analysis Team at ESS and will report directly to a B3 Senior Policy Analyst.
Job description
This is an important role within the Strategy and Analysis Team. We are seeking an enthusiastic and passionate fixed term or seconded appointment Marine Policy Analyst to coordinate delivery of a key analytical project on threats to the marine environment. The postholder will be working closely with other policy staff in Scottish Government and its Agencies and will be expected to be an informed analyst on environmental standards in the marine environment.
A key aim of the project is identifying areas of concern around compliance or the effectiveness of environmental law. This will include regular engagement with public authorities and other environmental stakeholders. You will work in an interdisciplinary policy team comprising colleagues with a range of backgrounds including legal, regulation, enforcement, research, scientists and policy specialists. You will need to be able to produce high quality analysis, engage colleagues and stakeholders, and clearly communicate key insights to influence the direction of ESS’ work.
The initial focus of the project will be on three main elements including physical threats to the seafloor, marine litter and cumulative effects. There will also be a cross cutting theme considering data gaps and limitations related to these and other marine threats. The role will include a detailed analysis of these topics as
well as supporting wider ESS work on the marine environment and related issues, for example related to representations or other analytical priorities.
Key duties and responsibilities will include:
- Contribute to specific programmes of monitoring and analysis of environmental policy and legislation, working individually or as part of project teams and using a wide range of existing policy, evidence and data sources.
- Support the ESS investigations team in investigating the most important environmental concerns by providing additional analysis on marine issues as required.
- Project co-ordinator for a package of work focused on threats to the marine environment. This will include working with policy and other analytical colleagues and relevant external stakeholders to analyse, summarise and report on a range of issues and topics with the development of appropriate recommendations for action or further work by ESS or others.
- Produce high quality reports and summaries on marine issues to identify areas of concern around compliance or effectiveness of environmental law and to support further analysis and ESS investigations into these issues. Disseminate findings as appropriate to a wide range of stakeholders and encourage their wider use.
- Policy lead for ESS on marine issues including policy support to B3s and the C1 on general marine issues and advice to wider ESS staff.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Strong oral and written communication skills with an ability to effectively and creatively present complex information succinctly and with impact to various audiences.
- Ability to undertake detailed analysis using a range of evidence and information to produce meaningful insights and to support recommendations for improving regulatory and/or operational performance.
- Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to work on projects independently or as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Good people skills and effective team working, able to establish and maintain good working relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience (work or qualifications) in an environmental area directly related to the marine environment.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience of interpreting legislation and policy in a relevant context.
Qualifications Required
A degree in a relevant subject (such as a marine science or an environmental science) and at least two years’ experience gained through working within a marine related policy, regulation or operational role in a relevant field;
or
A PhD or Master’s Degree in an appropriate discipline (e.g. marine sciences, environmental sciences, geography or similar);
or
Applications from candidates who do not have a degree are welcomed, but they must demonstrate that they have significant work experience in a relevant marine science or policy related field plus continuing professional development in a relevant area.
Other qualifications equivalent to these may also be acceptable, if you are in any doubt please contact the Recruiting Manager named at the bottom of the advert to discuss.
Please note: If you fail to demonstrate how you meet the minimum qualifications as stated above, your application will be automatically sifted out.
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Analysis and Use of Evidence
- Improving Performance
- Communications and Engagement
- Self-Awareness
Benefits
ESS is a small organisation focused on ensuring Scotland achieves the highest environmental standards. We seek skilled individuals who have a passion for improving environmental standards through public service, that can work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
In return, we offer a competitive employment package, including the civil service pension and a strong commitment to investing in each member of our teams personal and professional development. We also offer opportunities to work on some of the most significant and meaningful environmental challenges facing us today and the chance to play a part in helping to improve the quality of the environment for the people of Scotland.
We are building a culture that encourages inclusion and diversity and we particularly encourage applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds.
The post is based at ESS’ Edinburgh Haymarket office called Thistle House. ESS is currently operating a hybrid working approach and it is normally expected that staff attendance at the office will be in the range of one to two days per week, with remote working from home the remainder of the time. The nature of this post means there is scope for flexibility, which can be discussed with the recruiting manager.
The post allows flexible working and is open to full time or, by agreement, other working patterns including part-time, job-shares or compressed hours.
- A strong commitment to investing in your personal and professional development
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This competition is being run in accordance with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles.
The selection panel will use your application to assess your suitability for the role against the essential criteria during sifting using your statement of suitability and your CV.
If you are shortlisted, you will be provided with full details of the next stages of the selection process.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Please note: If you fail to demonstrate how you meet the minimum qualifications as stated above, your application will be automatically sifted out.
The Skills for Success Competencies required for this role are shown below. You will be tested against these competencies at interview.
- Analysis and Use of Evidence
- Improving Performance
- Communications and Engagement
- Self-Awareness
To apply for this post, you will need to provide the information requested below via the online application process.
The personal statement (no longer than 1,250 words) should explain why you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience are suitable for this role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification.
You should read each of the essential criteria, and think about a time, or an example, that can help demonstrate your knowledge/skills. Remember, this must be evidence based and your answers should be clear, concise and reflect what actions you undertook. You may want to use the STAR(R) approach to respond to each criterion. You should aim to use approximately 250 words per criteria.
In addition to your personal statement, please submit a technical statement. The technical statement (no longer than 1,250 words) should further demonstrate your experience and achievements related to the marine environment and build upon your evidence given in the application. A successful technical statement will clearly outline how you fulfil the criteria specified above with evidence of your experience and will demonstrate your motivation for the role.
Sift provisional dates week beginning 05 June 2023.
Interview dates still to be confirmed but likely to be week beginning 12 June.
Interviews will be held at our Thistle House Offices, Edinburgh.
If an alternative virtual interview is required, we will ask all applicants to ensure that they have a suitable space to complete the online interview. In addition, a personal device of choice that can access MS Teams will be required, alongside access to personal Wi-Fi/Broadband that has capacity to carry both audio and video feeds.
Minimum Time in Post
This is a fixed term appointment or secondment opportunity and the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for the duration of the post and would not be expected to move to another civil service role unless successful at gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 9 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to ESS 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. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
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 [email protected] 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.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
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.
This role is full time only. 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.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
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) (opens in a new window)
- 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
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).
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