International Biodiversity Adviser 2026067

Post background:

The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) is the statutory adviser to the UK Government on nature conservation in the UK and internationally, working at the science-policy interface.

The International Advice Team leads on providing advice to governments across the UK on a range of Multi-lateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) to which the UK is Party. These include the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES), the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), as well as to the subsidiary bodies of the MEAs and other affiliated science-policy platforms, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystems Services (IPBES). Our experts regularly form part of UK delegations at international meetings and engage with other associated international-level fora. Our work at an international scale is constantly changing as international and domestic priorities develop and as reflected in the JNCC Strategy.

The post holder will have the opportunity to work across a number of MEAs and assist in delivering JNCC’s duties to enable the UK to meet its international obligations. The position will be supporting policy development and increased UK ambition in the area of international nature conservation.

The post holder needs to have a good understanding of the importance of the relationship between scientific research, evidence and policy development. You will be reporting to a Senior International Biodiversity Adviser, and working closely with officials in Defra, other UK government departments and the devolved governments, and with specialists from across JNCC and the Country Nature Conservation Bodies. This will support the development of advice and guidance on a variety of international issues and their implementation throughout the UK.

Discussion with and input from other stakeholders will be required for this role. You will need to work with a wide range of specialists and stakeholders to undertake policy-relevant analysis and to contribute to developing practical advice in a fast-moving science-policy environment. There may be opportunity for international travel associated with this post.

Post Duties:

While staff often work across multiple MEAs to support team resilience and create learning and development opportunities, past experience, skills, and interests of the incumbent are taken into consideration. Tasks may include:

• Providing scientific and technical advice to Defra, the Devolved Administrations, and the Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies on issues relating to international biodiversity.
• Preparing for international meetings including drafting documents, gathering and analysing relevant evidence, and preparing briefings for UK delegations.
• Compiling and drafting international reports (e.g. the recently released 7th National Report)
• Representing JNCC at relevant meetings in the UK and potential participation in UK Government delegations at international meetings, including Conferences of the Parties and other related intersessional meetings.
• Contributing to the development of new projects.
• Building relationships with key stakeholders to enable/facilitate delivery against UK objectives and meet wider UK policy commitments.
• Supporting the development and use of biodiversity indicators
• Contributing generally to the work of the International Advice Team as required.

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)

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Please use the STARR method when appropriate:

• S — Situation: Set the scene and provide necessary background context
• T — Task: Explain your specific role, responsibility, or goal in that situation
• A — Action: Describe the exact, practical steps you took to solve the problem or handle the challenge
• R — Result: Share the outcome of your actions, using quantifiable metrics or data whenever possible.
• R / T — Reflection or Takeaway : Add what you learned, how it applies to your future work, or what you would do differently next time.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.