About the job

Job summary

In support of Kew's mission to influence national and international opinion and policy, this position plays a pivotal role as the UK CITES Scientific Authority for Flora. The primary responsibility involves delivering scientific advice to Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) by conducting non-detriment findings for CITES plant applications within specified standards and deadlines. This entails extensive research, evidence collation, and contributing to scientific advice for policy development at both national and international CITES meetings. This role will contribute to research on sustainable use of plants and wildlife trade to support policy evidence.

Job description

You will work closely with APHA, Defra, BorderForce, Kew Staff and other stakeholders including CITES trade groups to assist with CITES outreach and representation of the UK CITES Scientific Authority for Flora at meetings and events. This role will involve desktop research, liaison with experts and coordinating information from Kew’s herbarium, wood, living and economic botany collections to conduct the background research required.

Person specification

The ideal candidate will have a degree in natural environment, conservation, botany, biological sciences, or a related field, along with a demonstrated understanding of CITES. Additionally, proficiency in producing reports, conducting literature reviews, data collation, analysis, visualisation are essential qualifications for this role. The ideal candidate will have proficient written and oral communication skills, strong IT proficiency, organisational and time management abilities, meticulous attention to detail, self-motivation for independent work, and an understanding of biodiversity conservation issues.

Benefits

Our fantastic benefits package includes opportunities for continuous learning, a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, an Employee Assistance Programme and other wellbeing support such as cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership. We also offer a competitive pension, an employee discount scheme and free entry into a wide range of national museums and galleries, as well access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

To apply for this role, please submit your application through the Kew Gardens website.

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.