1011-314 MPA Ecology Adviser D Grade November 2025

Job title: 1011-314 MPA Ecology Adviser Grade: D Hours: 21 Salary 38616 (Pay award pending effect from 01 April 2025) Vacancy type: Temporary for 1 year Location: NatureScot offices home or hybrid Closing date: Midnight 09 December 2025 Internal Interview Date: 17 December 2025 External Interview Date: 09 January 2025

Job Purpose Summary:

NatureScot is Scotlands nature agency. We are committed to working with others to tackle both the climate emergency and biodiversity loss to ensure a nature-rich future for all. To help Scottish Government deliver the required step change in marine protection we are looking for applications from people with a natural sciences background to join a team working on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Priority Marine Features (PMFs).

The post will support the consultation on management measures for fishing activity in existing MPAs and key coastal biodiversity locations outside of these sites. The role will involve face-to-face marine stakeholder engagement and requires technical expertise on marine ecology with a focus on benthic ecology. The post will work on the post-consultation analysis.

Roles at this grade will typically work as part of a team to provide specialist advice and technical expertise with some autonomous decision range of tasks can be varied and will therefore require a well-developed understanding of marine ecology and conservation. Therefore planning and organising of own workload is required. The role is required to evaluate different approaches problem solve and provide a range of solutions.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

Role key tasks:

1. Provide technical advice to support delivery of work on MPAs and Priority Marine Features (PMFs) in nearshore waters around Scotland.
2. Support public consultations related to MPAs and PMFs - including contributing to the planning of events and speaking to stakeholders.
3. Contribute to reviewing consultation submissions and providing input to a written report on the analysis of these.
4. Attend meetings with stakeholders - to discuss proposed management measures including explaining NatureScot advice listening and responding to stakeholder views.
5. Provide casework advice on the management of existing MPAs including achieving conservation objectives.
6. Work with communications engagement and other staff to promote and disseminate information about NatureScots MPA work.
7. Undertake MPA reporting and assessment tasks to inform future development of NatureScots work and achievement of a well-managed network of MPAs.
8. Attend NatureScot internal meetings and contributing to the wider work of the Activity Team as required.

Skills: (Pleaserefer to these in your Supporting Statement)

• A good understanding of marine biology habitats and species relevant to Scotlands seas and issues (pressures / activities) relating to their conservation with a focus on benthic ecology.
• A sound knowledge of marine resource management policy and planning legislation relevant to Scotlands seas.
• Knowledge of how managing Scotlands marine environment provides benefits to people and nature.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to work in partnership to foster good relations and to encourage action by others.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to work flexibly as part of a team and to use own initiative developing creative approaches when appropriate.
• Ability to plan and manage work meet deadlines and adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to engage with a range of stakeholders including relating to inshore fisheries.
• GIS skills are desirable

Prerequisites Required

• Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK and resident in Scotland for the duration of the job contract
• To undertake a Disclosure Scotland application.
• Although Gaelic language is not a prerequisite it is a desirable skill in support of our commitment to our Gaelic Language Plan

Working for NatureScot what we offer you

• NatureScot offers some great benefits to reward and support you whilst you are working for us. Our benefits package includes thecivil service pension scheme a generous holiday leave allowance plus flexi time and employee discount scheme. Visit the NatureScotwebsite for further detailsincluding below:
• An environment with flexible working options
• A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% (7.35% employee contributions) days of annual leave including 5 fixed public holidays on St Andrews Day Christmas Day Boxing Day New Years Day and 2nd January
• Equivalent of 2 days paid volunteering leave
• A focus on wellbeing with access to an employee assistance programme
• Job satisfaction from contributing proactively to the twinned nature and climate crisis
• Death in service benefits
• Cycle to work and electric vehicle salary sacrifice schemes
• Access to an employee discounts scheme
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

Application Process

Application is by CV and Supporting Statement. Please ensure you have attached these documents when submitting your application.

Before applying for this post;

• Internal applicants should read the Self Service Guide (eRDMS A3155575)
• External applicants should read theOnline Job Application Guide

If you have previously applied for a vacancy with NatureScot you must remove the supporting statement from your profile before uploading a new version.

Interviews

External candidates will be invited to interview if we are unable to recruit internally.

NatureScots Net Zero commitment

Whether working at home or in an office or travelling to meetings and site visits as a NatureScot you will contribute to our Net Zero plan for example through positive carbon travel choices.

For information regarding the vacancy please contact

Laura Steel: email: @

For information regarding the recruitment process please contact:

recruitment@

Nature is vital to all of us so it is vital that we are an organisation for all of Scotland. The more diverse NatureScot is the better we will be in connecting everyone with nature. We particularly encourage applications from people from Minority Ethnic (ME) backgrounds and people with a disability.