Overview

Peatland Action Workforce Development Adviser (D grade), NatureScot

Full Time, 35 hours per week, Temporary until 31st march 2024 with the possibility of extension

Location: Scotland, flexible (Home and hybrid working will be considered)

Salary: £35,039 

NatureScot is looking to recruit a Peatland Action Workforce Development Adviser.

Job purpose

The purpose of this post is to deliver Peatland ACTION Programme requirements to establish a workforce with competencies, skills and desire to deliver peatland restoration within the evolving Peatland ACTION Programme.

The post is part of the Peatland ACTION Workforce Development Team, tasked with helping to develop capacity across Scotland to deliver peatland restoration.

The post covers the whole of Scotland and will require the ability to travel independently, as public transport is not always available and site are remote. On occasions, this will require travel that necessitates nights away from home.

Context

NatureScot’s Peatland ACTION programme restores damaged peatlands in Scotland. It is integral to the government’s determination for peatland to store carbon and contribute wider benefits for biodiversity, water management and green recovery.

NatureScot has dual roles in providing leadership on shared services/business solutions across all delivery partners and expanding delivery of peatland restoration on the ground.

The Peatland ACTION Programme is expanding in support of the government’s 10 year, £250m, commitment for restoration. It currently has an annual budget of £11m and comprises over 30 posts, both within NatureScot and external project partner posts.

The main duties and responsibilities are:

To deliver actions which focus on expanding contractor capacity for peatland restoration; support the development of a network of skilled restoration scheme designers and help to establish career pathways into the sector to attract a future workforce.

In particular, the postholder will

  • Manage a new entrant mentoring scheme for machine operators, allowing expansion of the workforce skilled in peatland restoration.
  • Support the establishment of training sites and the delivery of training in peatland restoration techniques in key locations across the country.
  • Develop the sector through membership of the Supplier Development Programme (SDP) and lead Peatland ACTION involvement in SDP webinars and meet-the buyer events.
  • Commission and manage a contract to develop guidance on machine specification for peatland restoration to sit along the Peatland ACTION Technical Compendium
  • Working with Peatland ACTION Comms team, scope and develop a new suite of training videos, providing up-to-date best practice examples

Prerequisites Required

  • Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK and resident in Scotland for the duration of the job contract
  • To undertake a Disclosure Scotland application.
  • Although Gaelic language is not a prerequisite it is a desirable skill in support of our commitment to our Gaelic Language Plan

Skills Required (Please refer to these in your Supporting Statement)

  • Understanding of workforce planning and actions to increase workforce capacity in the peatland restoration sector.
  • Awareness of peatland ecology, wetland hydrology and upland management, and Scottish land management issues
  • Project management, with ability to plan and prioritise workloads, and manage multiple tasks within resource limits.
  • Good communication skills, including influencing, listening and demonstrating clear written and verbal presentation
  • Collaboration and effective liaison with agencies, NGOs, academia and representative bodies
  • Ability to resolve problems, including the use of novel and innovative techniques
  • Comfort with operating in a dynamic work environment, with an ability to learn and adapt to new circumstances, and work collaboratively.
  • Driving licence or other means of transport.

NatureScot’s Net Zero commitment

Whether working at home or in an office, or travelling to meetings and site visits, as a NatureScot you will contribute to our Net Zero plan, for example through positive carbon travel choices.

Application Process

Before applying for this post:

  • internal applicants should read the Self Service Guide (eRDMS A3155575)
  • external applicants should read the Online Job Application Guide

All Applicants please note if you have already applied for a vacancy on Fusion please ensure you remove the supporting statement saved in your profile and upload your new supporting statement.

For information regarding the vacancy please contact Becky Shaw, Peatland ACTION Workforce Development Manager, Email: becky.shaw@nature.scot Tel: 01463 725197

Closing date for applications: 19th May 2023

Nature is vital to all of us, so it is vital that we are an organisation for all of Scotland. The more diverse NatureScot is, the better we will be in connecting everyone with nature. We particularly encourage applications from people from Minority Ethnic (ME) backgrounds and people with a disability.

Working with NatureScot – What we offer you

Please visit https://www.nature.scot/about-naturescot/working-and-volunteering-us/what-we-offer-you for information regarding some great benefits to reward and support you whilst you are working for us.