Senior Adviser Habitat Mapping and Analysis – Natural Capital & Ecosystem Assessment

The Team:

Natural England is the Government’s statutory advisor for the natural environment, playing
a vital role in delivering the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan. This describes an
ambitious vision, bringing new opportunities to protect and enhance, and to achieve real
outcomes for the environment.

At Natural England, we love what we do. We’re here to make sure people and nature can thrive. A
healthy natural environment is fundamental to our wellbeing, prosperity and happiness – that’s
why we collaborate with scientists, lawyers, project managers and experts to implement
environmental policy and shape decisions.

We work with a wide range of partners, stakeholders and customers on a huge range of projects,
from influencing construction, advising farmers and landowners how they can manage their land
in a sustainable way for the benefit of the environment, gathering and analysing environmental
data, and carrying out vital statutory duties. Across the country, we’re helping nature to
support people and our planet.

Job description:

The Natural Capital and Ecosystems Assessment (NCEA) is a new Defra Group evidence programme
which aims to deliver high quality national and local evidence to assess the state and
condition of biodiversity, ecosystems, and natural capital assets across our terrestrial,
freshwater and marine environments.

This role is based within a small team focussed on mapping and geospatial analysis of wildlife
rich habitats. The team works collaboratively across a range of related projects including:
update and improvement of the Priority Habitats Inventory, update of Natural England’s National
Habitat Network Mapping, development of a National Habitat Potential Mapping product and
mapping new habitats such as Floodplain Wetland Mosaic.

The post holder will lead on one or more of these projects, and collaborate on others, working
closely with NCEA colleagues and NE’s habitat specialists to develop and deliver a range of
spatial data products to meet the needs of programmes across NE, the wider Defra family and our
partners.

Key tasks include:

• Acting as the project lead for one or more projects undertaken by the team, responsible for
  work planning, engagement, delivery and reporting to NCEA and Defra colleagues.
• Leading and collaborating in the design and development of innovative tools and approaches
  to geospatial data analysis, update and management.
• Leading on the management and update of key habitat datasets, including functional
  management of lead adviser colleagues working on these.
• Engaging with Natural England’s habitat specialists and other stakeholders to ensure the
  team’s work is aligned with organisational thinking and focussed on organisational outcomes.
• Work closely with NCEA leads on related projects such as Living England, England Peat Map,
  England Ecosystem Assessment, Ancient Woodland Inventory to ensure effective alignment and
  integration between these related work areas.
• Working closely with NCEA Data Mobilisation team and Data Science Services colleagues to
  ensure data management and publication is in accordance with data licencing and data management
  procedures.
• Work closely with Natural England and Defra leads on related programmes such as Local
  Nature Recovery Strategies, agri-environment schemes and environmental monitoring and
  targeting, to provide analysis and reporting and ensure the team’s work aligns with the needs
  of these programmes.

Additional information:

• A driving licence is desirable but not essential.
• Occasional travel that may include an overnight stay can be expected.