Soil and Peat Scientist
4 days ago
London
Birmingham, Bristol, London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, York Job Summary A unique science specialist opportunity has become available in the Soil and Peat Science Team in Defra. 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 Strategy, Governance and Climate (SGC) Directorate, within which our team is located, works across a broad range of domains including climate mitigation and adaptation, environmental governance, and the 25-year environment strategy. SGC has an inclusive approach to work that recognises the skills, endeavour, needs and well-being of all our staff. The Access, Landscapes, Peatlands and Soil (ALPS) division is within the SGC Directorate and leads on a range of policy areas for soils and peatlands, protected landscapes and access to nature. The ALPS division offers a friendly, collaborative and supportive environment in which to develop. We attach importance to what we do, as well as how we do it, by valuing learning and development and rewarding success. The Soil and Peat Science and Evidence team support several policy teams responsible for delivering ambitious targets set out in the Environmental Improvement Plan and Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan. Both soils and peat are recognised by the government as natural assets which deliver a range of ecosystem service benefits including flood mitigation, carbon storage and biodiversity, supporting nature recovery, and have key roles to play in meeting Defra's environmental objectives. As a result, the scale and complexity of delivering the governments ambition makes this an exciting and high-profile area to be working in. We are seeking a Senior Scientific Officer to join the team who has experience in soil science or a closely related discipline. Job Description We are a small, friendly team of natural scientists whose principal role is to support the soil and peatlands policy teams by delivering scientific evidence and acting as subject matter experts to the department. The post holder will develop, manage and deliver a range of scientific evidence and research activities that support soil and peatland policy and their contributions to Defra’s objectives. Policy must be based on the best available evidence and analysis and so it is essential that the post holder is able to critically assess the evidence available as well as effectively communicate the evidence to expert and non-expert audiences. They must build and maintain networks with senior leadership as well as the research community, guide and advise policy as a subject matter expert, and work effectively within a larger evidence and analysis community. Scientists in this team will work alongside other evidence teams across the department and other government departments, regularly feeding into policy or contributing their knowledge on a diverse range of issues affecting soils and peat both domestically and internationally. This role will largely focus on the soils evidence portfolio. Soils policy is focused on improving soil health and the resilience of our soils. The science team will therefore deliver supporting evidence that considers the biological, chemical, and physical attributes of soil. Policy areas currently supported include soil health measuring and monitoring, development of robust soil health baseline data and a soil health indicator, soil mapping products, sustainable soil management, and understanding the threats to soil health and soil resilience. The post holder will drive the delivery of research projects to fill evidence gaps. This will include commissioning of external research, scoping and developing research specifications, managing the procurement process, contract management to ensure delivery of evidence needs, managing relationships with researchers, quality assuring evidence outputs and communicating research findings to policy. The post holder will be required to work closely with a diverse range of stakeholders including other organisations in the Defra Group (Natural England, the Environment Agency, JNCC etc), academic institutions, research organisations, and third sector organisations. We are a small, friendly team of natural scientists whose principal role is to support the soil and peatlands policy teams by delivering scientific evidence and acting as subject matter experts to the department. The post holder will develop, manage and deliver a range of scientific evidence and research activities that support soil and peatland policy and their contributions to Defra’s objectives. Policy must be based on the best available evidence and analysis and so it is essential that the post holder is able to critically assess the evidence available as well as effectively communicate the evidence to expert and non-expert audiences. They must build and maintain networks with senior leadership as well as the research community, guide and advise policy as a subject matter expert, and work effectively within a larger evidence and analysis community. Scientists in this team will work alongside other evidence teams across the department and other government departments, regularly feeding into policy or contributing their knowledge on a diverse range of issues affecting soils and peat both domestically and internationally. This role will largely focus on the soils evidence portfolio. Soils policy is focused on improving soil health and the resilience of our soils. The science team will therefore deliver supporting evidence that considers the biological, chemical, and physical attributes of soil. Policy areas currently supported include soil health measuring and monitoring, development of robust soil health baseline data and a soil health indicator, soil mapping products, sustainable soil management, and understanding the threats to soil health and soil resilience. The post holder will drive the delivery of research projects to fill evidence gaps. This will include commissioning of external research, scoping and developing research specifications, managing the procurement process, contract management to ensure delivery of evidence needs, managing relationships with researchers, quality assuring evidence outputs and communicating research findings to policy. The post holder will be required to work closely with a diverse range of stakeholders including other organisations in the Defra Group (Natural England, the Environment Agency, JNCC etc), academic institutions, research organisations, and third sector organisations. Person specification Responsibilities Support, guide and critique policy as it is developed, communicating the best available evidence from a range of sources and ensuring that policy development is evidence-based. Scope, develop, procure and manage research projects and contracts to address specific evidence gaps and inform policy development. Act as the key point of contact for soil and peatland science activities and developments across Defra. Build effective relationships and networks with leading academics and researchers, engaging with external research projects relevant to Defra, representing Defra on project advisory boards and steering groups. Provide expert input into official correspondence, briefings and ministerial submissions. Essential Criteria • A scientific understanding of soil science, and a good general awareness of the broader policy issues affecting soils and peatlands in England., • Experience of undertaking research and in the development and management of research., • Excellent oral and written communication skills including the ability to swiftly distil complex information and provide clear and succinct advice to those in senior roles and non-scientists., • Good project management skills including the ability to lead the delivery of research projects, monitor the budget and delivery of research outputs, and manage multiple pieces of work or projects at the same time. Qualifications The role requires a postgraduate qualification (preferably but not necessarily doctorate level) in a relevant natural science discipline (e.g. soil science, environmental science, geography, agronomy or similar), or significant experience that is related/transferable to soil or peat science. Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: • Communicating and Influencing, • Making Effective Decisions Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: • Communicating science and engineering for government - Providing and handling evidence – drawn from the Government Science and Engineering Career Framework Alongside your salary of £42,665, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £12,360 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. ___ • Learning and development tailored to your role, • An environment with flexible working options, • A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity, • A ___ with an employer contribution of 28.97% Selection process details This vacancy is using ___, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills. To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application: • A CV detailing your career history (including any relevant qualifications). CVs will be assessed against the essential criteria outlined in the Person Specification section of this advert., • A Personal Statement (max 750 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience evidence of your suitability for this role in reference to the essential criteria., • You will also be asked to provide Statements (250 words maximum per statement) for the two Success Profiles Behaviours listed below:, • Communicating and Influencing (Lead), • Making Effective Decisions Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. For guidance on how to construct your personal statement, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Links – ___For guidance on how to construct your behaviour examples, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Links – ___Sift Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the lead Behaviour, Communicating and Influencing and the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift will progress to a full sift, or progress straight to interview. Sifting and Interview dates to be confirmed. Interview Candidates successful at sift stage will be invited to a video assessment/interview that will consist of a blended interview of Behaviour, Strengths, Experience and Technical Skills questions. You will also be required to provide a 10-minute presentation at interview. The presentation topic will be emailed to candidates who have passed the initial online application stage 1 week prior to interview. This presentation will assess candidates against the technical skills for Senior Research Officers set out in the Government Social Research Technical Framework (Technical Skills and Using and Promoting Social Research). Please note that interviews via video use Microsoft Teams and you will need to use your device to access the video link. You will receive a link to join the interview at the appointed time through the email account you provide us with on your application. Artificial Intelligence Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate, and based on your own personal experience. Submitting content that has been generated by AI or copied from others and presented as your own may be considered plagiarism. Applications found to contain such content may be withdrawn, and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please refer to our ___ for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. 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. Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes. The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer, or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations. 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 perform 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 prove your preference. Childcare Vouchers Any move to Defra 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; for further information ___. Criminal Record Check If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be 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 stating the job reference number in the subject heading. 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 All 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 based on merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer. For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page ___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 ___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. This post currently attracts a Specialist Pay Lead of £3000 per year. 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 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 are 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. 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. Feedback Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. This vacancy is using ___, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete ___ checks. Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete ___ checks. Nationality requirements 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 ___, • 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 ___Working for the Civil Service The ___ sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's ___. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. The ___ sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's ___. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the ___ and the ___. This vacancy is part of the ___ initiative. The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. ___. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job Contact • Name : David Smedley Recruitment team Further information If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: ___
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