Job Description

Job title: Biodiversity Metrics Analyst | Grade: D | Vacancy type: Temporary | Hours: 35 | Salary: £38,242 | Location: Flexible working options available

This position presents a remarkable opportunity to contribute to the advancement of NatureScot's Data Strategy. The primary objective is to gain insights into the essential data required, its utilization, and the management of data flow from collection to actionable insights.

To safeguard, rejuvenate, and appreciate nature, NatureScot requires high-quality, valuable data that is captured and managed efficiently, ensuring accessibility for all stakeholders. The Data Strategy aims to fulfill this vision through initiatives focused on five key themes:

• Establishing a robust data foundation
• Achieving impactful outcomes
• Guiding industry standards
• Investing in workforce development
• Fostering innovation

Efforts surrounding the Data Strategy are identifying projects necessary to address the evolving requirements of NatureScot and its partners. This role will create a comprehensive overview of the measurements, metrics, and targets utilized in performance measurement frameworks, including KPIs and objectives. It will also explore the data needed to support these frameworks and the development and application of various frameworks.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with project teams to identify, manage, secure, and validate data for performance measurement frameworks.
• Cultivate an understanding of the diverse metrics, tools, and targets under development and the data that supports them.
• Source, collect, and extract accurate and purpose-fit data.
• Provide guidance to project teams on data analysis and how to leverage analysis to create compelling, evidence-based narratives that inform decision-making.
• Contribute to the iterative design of performance frameworks to ensure their effectiveness, efficiency, and accuracy.

This role will work closely with specialists in species and habitats, data experts, system owners, and policy staff both within and outside of NatureScot to define our data requirements for performance frameworks and achieve the broader objectives of our data strategy.

This position offers a unique chance to make a substantial impact on Scotland's environmental initiatives and collaborate with a dedicated team focused on enhancing Scotland's natural heritage through data.

The role is situated within the Environmental Data and Innovative Technologies Team, part of the Protected Areas, Innovation, and Data (PAID) Activity.

The EDIT Team is tasked with executing our data strategy, which encompasses:

• Developing and understanding our data requirements,
• Creating data catalogues and identifying data deficiencies,
• Investigating and evaluating new technologies,
• Coordinating UK Habitat Regulations Reporting,
• Advising on the application of habitat and species data,
• Collaborating with the Protected Areas Monitoring and Surveillance (PAMS) Team to explore and develop innovative approaches and technologies for environmental monitoring and data management.

Essential Skills and Qualifications:

• A proactive, enthusiastic, and motivational work ethic.
• An open-minded perspective with the ability to grasp the 'big picture' and recognize the necessity for change.
• Critical evaluation skills for innovative opportunities.
• A solid understanding of the metrics employed to assess biodiversity and national and international objectives.
• A comprehensive knowledge of environmental data and its role in supporting decision-making and monitoring changes.
• A broad awareness of Scotland's natural environment, the primary pressures it faces, and related land management challenges.
• Proficiency in discovering, gathering, analyzing, and managing data.
• Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to influence, listen, and present information clearly in both written and verbal formats.
• Capability to manage multiple tasks within a small team under limited resources.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with others, fostering relationships, identifying opportunities, and overcoming challenges.

Prerequisites:

• Proof of right to work in the UK.
• Willingness to undergo a Disclosure Scotland application.
• While proficiency in Gaelic is not mandatory, it is considered a desirable skill in support of our commitment to the Gaelic Language Plan.

Working for NatureScot:

NatureScot provides an attractive benefits package, including participation in the civil service pension scheme, generous holiday allowances, flexible working hours, and an employee discount scheme. For further details, please refer to the NatureScot website.

NatureScot's Commitment to Net Zero:

Whether working remotely or in an office, or traveling for meetings and site visits, as a member of NatureScot, you will contribute to our Net Zero objectives through positive carbon travel choices.