Principal Scientific Advisor

Job description

The Principal Scientific Advisor will lead on the analysis and evaluation of relevant environmental scientific research and advice to inform our scrutiny of the implementation of environmental law in Scotland. The post is also responsible for establishing and maintaining strong working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and partners who can provide us with the evidence, expertise and advice that we need to undertake our role. The successful applicant will play an important role in helping to promote and explain the function and remit of Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) and to establish the organisation as a trusted and effective oversight body in the post-Brexit landscape. 

The post is situated within the Strategy and Analysis team and will report directly to the C2 Head of Strategy and Analysis. The post currently carries direct line management responsibility for a B3 analyst. However, the team also operates an informal matrix management approach to its work (drawing in knowledge and skills from across the team and the wider organisation) and will, at times, have a role in co-ordinating the input of other staff to particular analytical projects and tasks.

What will the successful candidate be doing?

This is a key role within ESS, helping to guide the implementation and development of our approach to the monitoring, analysis and evaluation of environmental performance in Scotland. The post holder will be responsible for the provision of advice to senior management and the ESS Board on developments in scientific research and knowledge, environmental policy, law and technology, both in Scotland and internationally. The postholder will ensure that ESS is informed about relevant research findings and developments in science, policy and regulatory practice to enable the organisation to bring about positive change to the way that environmental law is implemented – to enable Scotland to achieve its ambitions for the environment and climate change. 

The postholder will be joining ESS at an important time, with an ambitious programme of work planned on a range of analytical priorities identified in the first Strategic Plan (Priorities for Analysis - Environmental Standards Scotland). In addition, the postholder will contribute to the development of ESS’ next Strategic Plan and will be involved in refining and developing the approach to monitoring and analysis – ensuring that findings are robust and that ESS’ work reflects the latest developments in understanding of a broad range of environmental topics. 

Essential Criteria

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex scientific evidence clearly and succinctly to senior decision makers and non-scientists. An understanding of knowledge exchange in environmental science and/or related areas. 
• Strong analytical skills and recent experience in the use of scientific evidence and the application of science to support policy, regulatory and/or operational decisions.
• Proven experience in developing and maintaining productive and high quality relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders. The ability to adopt a collaborative approach to influence decision making to achieve a common purpose.
• Strong leadership skills, including: the ability to build and develop a team; to deploy resources effectively to meet competing demands; and to promote collaborative working within and across teams. 

Qualifications Required

A degree in a scientific discipline relevant to environment or natural resources, and a postgraduate Masters and/or PhD in that field. 

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.

Person specification

The organisation will carry out its role by:

• monitoring information about the quality of the environment in Scotland and the effectiveness of environmental law, including representations brought forward by citizens and interested groups
• seeking information from public authorities, including the Scottish Government, and working with the public authorities to understand the background to regulatory policies and practices
• selecting a small number of cases for detailed investigation, prioritising cases where there is the greatest risk to the environment
• working 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

The role of the Strategy and Analysis team is to provide focused and applied analysis of evidence on environmental performance and change to help ESS identify problems with the implementation of environmental laws and how that might be improved. The team primarily manage knowledge by synthesising existing data, intelligence and research to identify: 

• potential shortcomings in the effectiveness and application of environmental law
• areas and issues where further investigation is necessary
• where lessons might be learnt from approaches elsewhere to improve compliance and/or effectiveness

The team includes staff with a range of specialist analytical skills and professions, but with a common focus on drawing together knowledge and insights from different sources, disciplines and types of analysis to inform ESS’ scrutiny of the implementation of environmental law in Scotland. 

Key duties and responsibilities will include: 

• setting and maintaining high standards of integrity and professionalism, and ensuring ESS operates a rigorous approach to the use of scientific evidence and understanding to inform published findings
• leading the organisation’s approach to identifying, and then summarising, interpreting and presenting relevant scientific research on priority matters of concern to ESS
• leading the undertaking or commissioning of rapid evidence and literature reviews to provide ESS with the latest scientific knowledge to support analysis and investigation of matters of concern
• leading engagement with relevant topic experts to access support, advice and opinion on the application of relevant science within regulatory environments
• working with partners and other agencies to identify and then influence the commissioning of research and analysis to ensure that gaps in ESS’ collective knowledge of environmental performance and change are addressed
• contributing to the operation of an effective ‘horizon-scanning’ system to ensure that ESS is linked into relevant networks for scientific knowledge exchange and regulatory/policy improvement, and is well-informed about emerging issues of environmental concern within Scotland and internationally
• representing ESS and helping to build effective relationships within the research community in Scotland and beyond including Scotland’s environmental research institutes, universities and colleges, the Scottish Government and its agencies, and environmental non-governmental organisations;
• ensuring close working and collaboration across the Strategy and Analysis team, and with the Investigation, Standards and Compliance team, to contribute to the analysis and investigation of key environmental concerns, ensuring that relevant scientific research and practice developments are taken into account
• representing ESS with a wide range of external contacts, promoting understanding of its function, role and approach with public authorities, environmental organisations and community and landowner/industry representatives
• working collaboratively and flexibly as required, as part of the wider ESS team, to support the successful fulfilment of the organisation’s role and the development of effective and efficient processes and systems within ESS
• line managing and leading staff to ensure an inclusive team culture. Encouraging innovation, capturing ideas for improvement and promoting professional development so that people can develop and grow within their careers while delivering for ESS

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Communications & Engagement
• Analysis and Use of Evidence
• Improving Performance
• Leading Others

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £56,020, Environmental Standards Scotland contributes £15,125 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

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, and that can work as part of a small 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. 

As a new organisation we are building a culture that encourages inclusion and diversity and welcome applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds.