About the job

Job summary

In Defra, we deal with a vast range of issues that profoundly impact on people’s lives. We are responsible for England’s environment, our countryside and rural economy, the food and farming sectors and lead responsibility for protection from natural threats and hazards.

This role sits in the Resources and Waste Directorate working across Resources and Waste policy.

Resources and Waste Policy goes to the heart of how society interacts with goods and services, from material extraction, industrial production through to how it is managed as waste. Material resource use is fundamental to how our economy works and is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions as well as other environmental impacts such as biodiversity loss. The 2018 Resources and Waste Strategy signals the path for England to become a world leader in using resources efficiently and reducing the amount of waste and associated greenhouse gas emissions produced.

The Resources & Waste Evidence team is a friendly, multidisciplinary group of economists, statisticians, scientists, operational researchers and social researchers working together to provide scientific and analytical advice and support for current and future policy making.

As a Higher Scientific Officer you will provide science expertise to support current and future Defra plastics policy ensuring that policy development is based on sound science. The role will work closely with Defra plastic policy colleagues, analysts and other scientists to support current plastics policy and anticipate future research priorities. You will contribute to the development of a scientific evidence base (including national and international literature), identifying, addressing and prioritising gaps (e.g., through in-house and commissioned work), and in horizon scanning.

This role will support the delivery of Resources & Waste Directorate led government plastics policies and commitments.

Job description

What will the successful candidate be doing?

• Take responsibility for research, evidence-base building and communicating outcomes in certain areas such as microplastics, bio-based plastics, biodegradable & compostable plastics, eco-design and material circularity, for example
• Lead collaborative research projects to fill identified evidence gaps, working closely with policy and analysis colleagues
• Support development of systems and evidence maps for plastics throughout the economy, helping to identify where levers exist, building on work that exists in this space
• Contribute to the collation and synthesis of evidence to support the development of a strategic evidence plan to inform, influence and support policy priorities
• Be adaptable, ready to change focus to meet emerging and strategic priorities for Resources and Waste and be proactive, ready to learn and engage with new topics
• Build and maintain a network of experts from across industry, academia, the third sector and government to ensure policy advice and public lines are based on the best available evidence
• Communicate clearly across professions at all levels of the organisation, adapting communication style to be audience appropriate
• Build and maintain your internal network working exceptionally well with policy, evidence and delivery colleagues to agree priorities, achieve timely delivery of evidence, design and oversee qualitative and quantitative projects providing scientific insights to support policy and delivery decisions across Resources & Waste and to communicate the analysis effectively to various audiences

The role will specialise in plastics but will also need to work across wider policy priorities according to business need, in agreement with the line manager and the Head of Resources & Waste Science. This may include, but not limited to, contributing to wider materials research, Net Zero, resource efficiency.

Person specification

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a scientist with excellent analytical skills, technical expertise and experience applying science to solve real-world problems.

You should have experience in scoping, design, and delivery of scientific research projects and in a relevant discipline.

You will display excellent interpersonal skills and be a trusted adviser, with the credibility to influence and challenge effectively to gain consensus on complex areas.

You will display excellent verbal and written communication skills, and have the ability to present complex technical information to a diverse audience.

With exceptional collaborative skills, you will confidently engage to build constructive relationships with your own team, and with colleagues across policy and evidence.

You will be proactive and organised and carry out your work with a high attention to detail.

Essential criteria:

• A Masters or postgraduate degree in a scientific domain relevant to the post e.g., environmental science, chemistry, physics, biology, materials science
• Experience in applying science to solve real-world issues, preferably with a technical knowledge of plastics and of systems level analysis
• A proven ability to network and build collaborative partnerships
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate technical subjects to non-specialists
• An ability to deliver work at pace to meet challenging deadlines
• Experience developing, planning and carrying out scientific research studies and drafting scientific reports

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £32,136, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £8,676 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Application Process

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete;

• CV detailing your career history (including any relevant qualifications. Your CV will be used for Information Only)
• A Statement of Suitability (max. 500 words). For this, you should describe how your skills and experience show that you are suitable for this role. Please refer to the Essential Criteria listed in the Person Specification when doing this
• 250 word statement on each of the following Behaviours:
  • Seeing the Big Picture
  • Working Together
  • Making Effective Decisions
• 250 word statement on the following technical skill:
  Communicating Science and Engineering

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Sift 

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Seeing the Big Picture. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview. 

Sift and interview dates as well as the interview location to be confirmed.

Interview 

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be required to do a presentation and
answer behaviour questions.

Interview will be held via video link.

Location

Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based in a Defra group workplace/office. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

Candidates applying for these roles will be based at one of the Defra hubs as advertised.  

For information, our core Defra hub locations are:

• York – the Kings Pool
• Newcastle – Lancaster House
• Bristol – Horizon House (Please note that space at this office is limited and it may not be possible for all Policy roles to be recruited to this location)
• London – 2 Marsham Street

Internal (core Defra) employees can apply for this role and choose to remain in their current location or to be based in one of the advertised locations.

All other applicants will be based in one of the advertised locations. Our current office attendance approach requires 60% attendance in Defra group workplaces or off site meetings with partners and customers. This balance provides thriving workplaces to connect with colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs balanced with personal flexibility and choice. 

Travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to a base office location.

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 state your location preference on your application.

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.

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.

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 defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk 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’re 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.

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 Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk 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.

Higher Security Clearance 

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 See our vetting charter.

All of 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 on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer. 

Childcare Vouchers 

Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) 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 European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• 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

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 recruitment principles (opens in a new window). 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.