Senior International Biodiversity Adviser - Negotiation
| Posting date: | 16 June 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £41,525 per year, pro rata |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 05 July 2026 |
| Location: | Peterborough, Eastern England |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | JNCC Support Co |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: | 2026030 |
Summary
Post background:
This is an exciting and influential role for individuals who can follow technical and policy detail, while seeing the bigger picture. They will inform decision-making across government and wider society.
The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) is the statutory adviser to the UK Government on nature conservation in the UK and internationally, working at the science-policy interface.
The International Advice Team leads on providing advice to governments across the UK on a range of Multi-lateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) to which the UK is Party. These include the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES), the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), as well as to the subsidiary bodies of the MEAs and other affiliated science-policy platforms, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystems Services (IPBES). Our experts regularly form part of UK delegations at international meetings and engage with other associated international-level fora. We also work closely with the governments of the 4 devolved countries, the UK Overseas Territories, and the UK Crown Dependencies to deliver advice on implementation of the wide range of MEAs we support. Our work at an international scale is constantly changing as international and domestic priorities develop and as reflected in the JNCC Strategy.
The post holder will contribute to JNCC’s efforts that enable the UK to meet its international obligations across a number of MEAs. They will primarily lead JNCC’s contributions to negotiations under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Post Duties:
As a Senior Biodiversity Advisers, you will provide expert advice on the UK’s negotiating positions in intergovernmental fora, provide advice in ‘real-time’ during intergovernmental negotiations, contribute to intergovernmental technical advisory bodies, and contribute to wider nature-related Government evidence and research programmes.
In this role, you will be expected to become a national or even international leader in your respective specialism(s). JNCC will support you to reach your full potential, as we recognise that our work areas are niche and new postholders may lack the experience to immediately become a national or international leader when they start at JNCC.
You will be required to have a good understanding of the importance of the relationship between scientific research, evidence and policy development. You will work closely with officials in Defra, other UK government departments and the devolved governments, and with specialists from across JNCC and the Country Nature Conservation Bodies. This will support the development of advice and guidance on a variety of international issues and their implementation at the UK level.
You will work with a wide range of specialists and stakeholders in this role. You will undertake policy-relevant analysis and develop practical advice in a fast-moving science-policy environment.
Significant international travel will be required in this post.
You will principally focus on leading JNCC’s contributions to UK negotiations under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). You may also be required to work across other MEAs to support team resilience and leverage opportunities for cross-MEA impact. Tasks may include:
• Leading the development of scientific and technical advice to Defra, the Devolved Administrations, and the Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies on issues relating to international biodiversity.
• Leading the work of a small team in preparations for international meetings including drafting documents, gathering and analysing relevant evidence, and preparing briefings for UK delegations.
• Representing JNCC at relevant meetings in the UK and participating in UK Government delegations at international meetings, including at the Conferences of the Parties and at other related intersessional meetings.
• Regularly contribute to or lead small interdisciplinary project teams that draw upon staff from across JNCC, ensuring such teams effectively and efficiently deliver their objections to the required deadlines and within budget.
• Leading the development of new projects.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders to enable delivery against UK objectives and meet wider UK policy commitments.
• Directly line manage one or more H-Grade staff, ensuring they have the correct direction and resources to successfully undertake their work. Proactively develop line reports to support them in reaching their full potential.
• Proactively contribute to the effective and efficient functioning of the International Advice Team, the International Directorate, and wider JNCC.
Technical:
To be a successful candidate you will be/have:
• Excellent understanding of international policies and legislation, including an understanding of the sub-national and national governmental structures of the UK, ideally through first-hand experience.
This is an exciting and influential role for individuals who can follow technical and policy detail, while seeing the bigger picture. They will inform decision-making across government and wider society.
The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) is the statutory adviser to the UK Government on nature conservation in the UK and internationally, working at the science-policy interface.
The International Advice Team leads on providing advice to governments across the UK on a range of Multi-lateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) to which the UK is Party. These include the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES), the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), as well as to the subsidiary bodies of the MEAs and other affiliated science-policy platforms, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystems Services (IPBES). Our experts regularly form part of UK delegations at international meetings and engage with other associated international-level fora. We also work closely with the governments of the 4 devolved countries, the UK Overseas Territories, and the UK Crown Dependencies to deliver advice on implementation of the wide range of MEAs we support. Our work at an international scale is constantly changing as international and domestic priorities develop and as reflected in the JNCC Strategy.
The post holder will contribute to JNCC’s efforts that enable the UK to meet its international obligations across a number of MEAs. They will primarily lead JNCC’s contributions to negotiations under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Post Duties:
As a Senior Biodiversity Advisers, you will provide expert advice on the UK’s negotiating positions in intergovernmental fora, provide advice in ‘real-time’ during intergovernmental negotiations, contribute to intergovernmental technical advisory bodies, and contribute to wider nature-related Government evidence and research programmes.
In this role, you will be expected to become a national or even international leader in your respective specialism(s). JNCC will support you to reach your full potential, as we recognise that our work areas are niche and new postholders may lack the experience to immediately become a national or international leader when they start at JNCC.
You will be required to have a good understanding of the importance of the relationship between scientific research, evidence and policy development. You will work closely with officials in Defra, other UK government departments and the devolved governments, and with specialists from across JNCC and the Country Nature Conservation Bodies. This will support the development of advice and guidance on a variety of international issues and their implementation at the UK level.
You will work with a wide range of specialists and stakeholders in this role. You will undertake policy-relevant analysis and develop practical advice in a fast-moving science-policy environment.
Significant international travel will be required in this post.
You will principally focus on leading JNCC’s contributions to UK negotiations under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). You may also be required to work across other MEAs to support team resilience and leverage opportunities for cross-MEA impact. Tasks may include:
• Leading the development of scientific and technical advice to Defra, the Devolved Administrations, and the Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies on issues relating to international biodiversity.
• Leading the work of a small team in preparations for international meetings including drafting documents, gathering and analysing relevant evidence, and preparing briefings for UK delegations.
• Representing JNCC at relevant meetings in the UK and participating in UK Government delegations at international meetings, including at the Conferences of the Parties and at other related intersessional meetings.
• Regularly contribute to or lead small interdisciplinary project teams that draw upon staff from across JNCC, ensuring such teams effectively and efficiently deliver their objections to the required deadlines and within budget.
• Leading the development of new projects.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders to enable delivery against UK objectives and meet wider UK policy commitments.
• Directly line manage one or more H-Grade staff, ensuring they have the correct direction and resources to successfully undertake their work. Proactively develop line reports to support them in reaching their full potential.
• Proactively contribute to the effective and efficient functioning of the International Advice Team, the International Directorate, and wider JNCC.
Technical:
To be a successful candidate you will be/have:
• Excellent understanding of international policies and legislation, including an understanding of the sub-national and national governmental structures of the UK, ideally through first-hand experience.
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