About the job

Job summary

The International Biodiversity and Biodiversity Policy Branch has two key delivery areas: International Biodiversity and the Biodiversity Taskforce.  This role focuses on our international biodiversity commitments particularly on the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) Conference of Parties (CoP) Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, which was re-negotiated at the end of 2022, and its future implementation at a Wales level. There will also be some support of the wider branch in delivery in the other areas contributing to our Programme for Government commitments to embed nature in all we do and tackling the joint nature and climate emergency.

Job description

What the organisation will expect

• Ability to manage own and others work and prioritise to ensure that objectives are met to time and to standard, using own initiative and decision making, managing risks as appropriate.
• The ability to solve problems and make operational/policy decisions and/or recommendations by choosing between a number of options which may involve researching, organising and analysing facts and data
• You will be adaptable, flexible, open to, and accepting of change affecting you and your area of work and deal with that change efficiently and professionally.

What your team will expect

• Work independently on day-to-day issues which may include providing advice to more senior grades and supporting policy, digital, legislation or operational development work; whilst being the lead official to engage with a wide-range of stakeholders both internally and externally.
• Line management of individuals or a team. Management responsibilities may include supporting team members on more difficult cases, managing work allocation and prioritisation. Responsibility for performance management, coaching, mentoring and development of staff from all backgrounds to ensure they are able reach their full potential, helping to create a culture of inclusion; making sure that any development opportunities are accessible and inclusive for all. You are proactive in exploring your own developmental needs and take action when required

What key stakeholders will expect

• Provide sound judgement with the ability to interpret information where issues are complex or conflicting with the ability to weigh up a number of factors to produce constructive ideas and solutions.
• Required to communicate information, to provide advice to senior colleagues on the effects of policy or operational changes and influence outcomes.
• Ability to grow strong professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders, effectively collaborating to share information, resources and support.

Key Tasks

• Working with the Head of International Biodiversity, to support the implementation of key policies as part of the Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and co-ordination of Welsh Government key discussions included the Biodiversity Deep Dive.
• Support the development of communications and handling strategies to support the international negotiations and implementation of the Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.
• Support the development of key policies as part of Welsh Government response such as developing targets and future monitoring requirements. The post holder will be required to co-ordinate workshops/meetings to facilitate this policy development. 
• Develop an understanding of and provide advice on international biodiversity commitments and nature conservation as required, ensuring line of sight between international commitments, our key legislation, and key strategies and policies.
• Represent Welsh Government interests in various Wales, UK and international nature conservation or biodiversity groups as required.
• Work with other Welsh Government Divisions to share information. The post holder will also be responsible for providing secretarial support to the internal international biodiversity group.
• Prepare briefings for the Ministers, respond to Assembly Questions and to Ministerial correspondence including committee responses.
• To line manage one PhD student, during placement, and ensure they receive appropriate learning and development.

Person specification

Marine & Biodiversity has a diverse remit with policy, delivery, and evidence responsibilities. We are a large and friendly division that prioritises developing expertise, good management, and inclusion. We are spread across the whole of Wales with at least one member of staff in nearly every office.  Collaboration across work areas is actively promoted. The division encourages staff to be proactive in identifying opportunities for better ways of working and innovative solutions. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to flourish within this enabling environment.

This advertisement contains the titles of the Behaviour criteria being assessed throughout. For further information on what is required at the application stage, you will need to press apply and view the full details on the application form. At interview, you may be tested on the overall Behaviours listed.

When presenting your evidence please keep in mind the expectations of the grade as set out in the grade description as well as the main responsibilities that are essential for the role.

In the case of more than one candidate scoring the same, the panel has agreed the following criteria will determine merit order:

• A working or academic knowledge of environmental & biodiversity issues; and the current policy context would be desirable.
• Able to demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills at a range of levels and across a range of audiences and stakeholders, both internal and external.

Benefits

All Welsh Government staff are members of the Civil Service, and as a result are eligible for:

• Civil Service Pension Scheme
• 31 days annual leave (pro-rated for part time)
• training and development opportunities
• Cycle2Work Scheme
• Smart Working flexible working arrangement
• Green Car Scheme (subject to availability)

If you are an active Civil Service Pension member you can continue your membership throughout your employment with us.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

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

Welsh Government, like all other Government Departments use Success Profiles when we recruit. For each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job. It raises performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

The selection process and stages are:

Number of Stages:	2 stage process
Stage 1	Application Form
Stage 2	Interview

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.