Senior Marine Habitats Advisor

Job summary

Do you want to play an important role in delivering the evidence that underpins marine conservation and nature recovery across England's seas?

We are looking for an experienced and motivated marine scientist to join Defra's Marine Biodiversity & Environment Science and Monitoring Team. This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of government, providing scientific expertise on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs), marine nature recovery and the UK Marine Strategy.

You will lead and manage high-profile monitoring and research projects, commission and oversee evidence activities, and translate complex scientific findings into clear, practical advice that supports policy and decision-making. deliver robust evidence that supports marine environmental outcomes. You will work closely with an experienced network of scientists, policymakers and evidence partners across Defra, its Arm's Length Bodies and the wider marine science community to deliver robust evidence that supports marine environmental outcomes.

We're looking for someone with strong scientific expertise, excellent communication and influencing skills, and a collaborative approach to working across organisational boundaries. You will be naturally curious, proactive and solutions-focused, able to identify emerging evidence needs, develop new research opportunities and build effective partnerships to tackle complex environmental challenges.

You will also provide line management to one direct report and technical support within the marine habitats and marine nature recovery area, helping to develop colleagues and ensure the delivery of high-quality scientific evidence.

This role offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to nationally important marine biodiversity monitoring programmes, develop innovative evidence approaches, and help inform the sustainable management and recovery of the marine environment.

Job description

This high‑profile role provides scientific expertise and evidence to support Defra policy teams and Government in conserving the marine environment, with a particular focus on marine habitats and marine nature recovery. The post holder will lead delivery of Defra's marine habitat evidence and monitoring programme across Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs), and relevant UK marine strategy descriptors alongside associated research and development (R&D) that delivers insights into the condition, recovery/restoration, conservation and sustainable use of the marine environment.

The role is responsible for translating evidence into clear, actionable advice for policy colleagues, supporting delivery of Government ambitions under the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) and informing continuous improvement in marine monitoring. Strong collaboration with Defra Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs), Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies (SNCBs), and the wider scientific community is essential to drive strategic alignment and deliver shared marine environmental goals.

The post holder will also provide leadership and line management for staff working on marine habitats and marine nature recovery within the Marine Biodiversity & Environment Science & Monitoring Team.

Core Responsibilities:

1. Lead Marine Habitat Evidence and Monitoring

• Commission and oversee R&D (CDEL) with Cefas to inform core policy areas including Domestic Marine Conservation, Quota Policy and Negotiations, the UK Marine Strategy (UKMS) and OSPAR.
• Lead and coordinate elements of Defra's contribution to major monitoring and reporting programmes working with colleagues across the team and the marine evidence community, including:

2. Strategic Coordination and Representation

• Support and coordinate Defra's engagement with the Marine and Fisheries Monitoring Coordination Group (MonCoG), working closely with partner organisations to support a coherent UK marine monitoring approach.
• Represent Defra alongside the wider team as one of the evidence leads in the Healthy and Biologically Diverse Seas Evidence Group (HBDSEG) to develop new R&D.
• Work with colleagues across the team to support Defra representation in the Marine Biodiversity Impacts Evidence Group

3. Management of Marine Habitat Evidence Budget

• Manage elements of the marine habitat evidence portfolio, including contributions to programmes such as the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR), MarLIN, MarESA and Lyme Bay long-term monitoring, and identify emerging evidence opportunities.

4. Leadership and Line Management

• Line management of a staff member within the marine habitats and marine nature recovery segment of the team, supporting development, capability building and compliance with organisational standards.
• Provide scientific leadership, guidance and oversight to ensure the team delivers high‑quality evidence.

5. Communication, Engagement and Representation

• Attend and present at scientific conferences, workshops and expert meetings, representing Defra’s evidence needs, ambitions and work programmes.
• Engage with policy and evidence teams across Defra to ensure marine habitats evidence supports wider Government objectives and closes critical knowledge gaps.

6. Scientific Development and Horizon Scanning

• Monitor emerging scientific research, identify evidence gaps, and develop new R&D proposals and long‑term monitoring initiatives.
• Contribute to Defra Spending Reviews through development of marine habitat science and monitoring budget proposals.

Person specification

A strong background in marine biology, marine science, or ecological monitoring, with practical experience relevant to the marine environment.

Proven ability to communicate complex scientific information clearly and effectively to a range of audiences, including policymakers, technical specialists, and non‑technical stakeholders.

A relevant degree (e.g., marine biology, marine science, environmental science) or equivalent technical experience providing strong scientific credibility. Science capability and relevant experience will be assessed through the application stage and as a technical question during the interview stage.

Demonstrable experience in providing and leading scientific evidence to inform policy, management decisions, or strategic planning.

Experience in identifying evidence gaps, emerging scientific issues, and new areas for research or long‑term monitoring.

Experience of building, maintaining, and managing collaborative relationships across government, the academic sector, and other evidence partners. Ability to balance diverse viewpoints and work constructively across organisational boundaries.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Changing and Improving

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Communicating science and engineering for government - disseminating science and engineering
• Technical oversight and management - technical delivery / project management.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £42,665, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £12,360 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Define