International Biodiversity Officer

ORCA
ORCA

Full-time

Aberdeen, MD, USA · Cardiff, UK · Aberdeen, UK · Peterborough, UK

Posted on Oct 30, 2026

Team: International Implementation Team
Ref No: 2026069
Grade: H (HEO)
Type of appointment: Fixed-term

This post will have a base in either Peterborough, Cardiff or Aberdeen.

JNCC has adopted a hybrid working approach, allowing colleagues to benefit from time in the office, with the flexibility also to work from home. Employees are expected to work from one of our office bases for a few days a month as a minimum with attendance expected at regular face to face team meetings. Arrangements will vary by team and the exact balance will depend on the nature of your role. We can provide more details at the interview and offer stages.

Who are JNCC?

Established in 1991, we’re the UK’s statutory advisor on issues affecting the natural environment across the UK and internationally. Our primary role is advising all four Governments of the UK. We also work with private sector organisations to support decision making on the sustainable use of marine waters and natural resources around the UK. JNCC is led by the Joint Committee, which brings together members from the nature conservation bodies for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and independent members appointed by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under an independent Chair. Support is provided to the Committee by approx. 300 people who bring together scientific and technical expertise, extensive knowledge of policy at global, European and national levels, and skills in working with other organisations. Staff are based in two main offices in Peterborough and Aberdeen.

Why JNCC?

We’re small enough (c. 300 staff) that your voice is heard by everyone including the CEO, but big enough that we have all the skills, resources and people you’ll need to get the job done. All our staff are passionate about conservation and making a difference to the world we live in. We have a very flexible, inclusive and welcoming organisational culture. Our Executive Management provides employees with the freedom and tools you will need, and our friendly team will assist you in your role.

JNCC is committed to maintaining employee health and wellbeing, whether it is physically, emotionally, financially or socially, and offers a range of benefits to support employees in this. Such benefits include the option to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme, professional and personal development opportunities as well as an exciting job in a unique environment.

Hours of work: Full-time
Normal minimum hours of attendance for the post are 36 hours per week over a 5-day period, Monday to Friday.
Flexi time is available. This post may also be suitable for job share.

Annual leave

The annual leave allowance is 25 days per year, rising to 30 days per year after 5 years’ service. There are also 12 days public and privilege leave. Part-time staff will receive this on a pro rata basis.

Post background

Join JNCC's International Implementation Team and help drive impactful conservation action across the UK Overseas Territories and beyond. We work together with governments and local partners to design and deliver practical, evidence-led solutions for nature, from coral reef conservation and capacity building to policy development and stakeholder engagement.

As an International Biodiversity Officer, you will lead collaboration across a diverse network of partners, support delivery of JNCC's international biodiversity portfolio, including supporting JNCC’s input into the Blue Belt Programme. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled biodiversity professional who thrives on partnership working, knowledge sharing and turning science into real-world conservation impact.

The UK Overseas Territories have long been acknowledged as being rich in biodiversity and geodiversity. Many of the UK’s inhabited Overseas Territories are small, remote islands. They provide a home to 220,000 people who are reliant on their natural environment, and the benefits that it provides, for their economic welfare and their security. Despite the remoteness of the islands, these natural environments are threatened, often because of development, but also from the natural disasters that the islands’ natural environments can help protect against. Climate change predictions are only set to further threaten biodiversity and the livelihoods of those that rely on it.

JNCC has been working with the UK’s Overseas Territories for over 25 years. We provide technical assistance to support their biodiversity, climate change and wider environmental management strategies. We also provide scientific advice to the UK Government, which provides support to the Overseas Territories to manage their environment and enhance economic security and disaster resilience through a variety of policy initiatives and funding programmes.

Post duties

  • Support the delivery of international work on biodiversity, including contributing to the development and implementation of nature recovery projects and proposals to support land/sea-scape decision making, nature based solutions and climate change resilience.
  • Support technical delivery of JNCC’s Blue Belt Programme delivery team including supporting project governance, delivery of reports, briefings and other outputs as required.
  • Build strong networks and effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders to enable knowledge transfer, capacity building and effective partnership working to deliver nature conservation outcomes.
  • Support the identification of new strategic opportunities and contribute to the development and writing of bids.
  • Support the wider work of the Team and JNCC as appropriate, including Overseas Territories liaison, contract management, project support and delivery of technical work, as required.

Technical

To be a successful candidate you will be/have:

  • Strong understanding and demonstrated practical application of ecology, the benefits biodiversity provides to people and systems, pressures and impacts on biodiversity, and their implications for sustainable development. Expertise in climate change, ecosystem vulnerability and resilience preferred.
  • Knowledge and demonstrated practical application of nature conservation policy, management frameworks and international biodiversity commitments.

Experience (responsibilities)

To be a successful candidate you will have:

  • Experience of successfully designing and delivering climate, conservation, biodiversity or environmental management projects.
  • Experience translating scientific evidence into practical conservation actions, management advice or policy recommendations.
  • Experience working across different cultures and collaborating effectively with a range of stakeholders such as government agencies, NGOs, researchers and local communities.

Behaviours

  • Working Together
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Delivering at Pace

In the event that we receive a large volume of applications we reserve the right to conduct the sift based on the Lead Behaviour of Working Together.

Please see the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade.

Artificial intelligence guidance

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 is 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. Artificial intelligence and Recruitment / Civil Service Careers

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)
  • 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

JNCC do not provide sponsorship.

Closing date and interview date

The closing date for this post is 23:55 on Monday, 16 November 2026

The anticipated 1st interview date is week commencing Monday, 23 November 2026

The anticipated 1st interview date is week commencing Monday, 07 December 2026

See more open positions at ORCA