Science Strategy and Professions Officer

Job summary

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink.

Science, analysis and data are at the heart of Defra’s work. The Science, Data & Analysis Group (SDA) provides specialist analytical, scientific, policy and systems-thinking expertise to deliver high quality, impactful analysis, assurance and insight to underpin Defra’s work and to inform decision-making.

The Cheif Scientific Adviser (CSA) and SDA are responsible for overseeing the quality of evidence that the department relies on for policy decision.

The CSA also provides Ministers with scientific advice, sets the priorities for scientific research and evidence-gathering and is also leads our profession, championing science and scientists across the Defra group.

Job description

This role sits within the SDA’s Central Science Division (CSD), and works on the priorities of the CSA. CSD provides 3 key functions across Defra science:

• Enabling – ensuring Defra has a strong science system, underpinned by clear strategy, skills and effective relationships with scientists across Defra group;
• Supporting – working strategically with priority policy areas, using research, innovation and partnerships to develop and strengthen the scientific evidence-base underpinning policy;
• Strategic – taking a proactive role in identifying and supporting cross-cutting and emerging scientific issues across Defra. CSD works in an agile and flexible way to support changing and emerging priority needs.

This makes the CSD a crucial work area for translating research into evidence for policy, creating that link between science and real-world-action.

We are seeking a new Science Strategy and Professions Adviser, with experience of working in science and an interest in putting that knowledge towards real-world-problems, to join the CSD. This is an excellent opportunity to help put science at the heart of Defra policies

and to champion science and scientists across Defra Group. As part of this recruitment drive we are looking to generate a reserve list of candidates who, if they meet our criteria, may be offered other roles in science in Defra.

If you are interested in applying to this role, and finding out what it’s like to be a scientist in Defra, then please join us for an informative webinar on Tues 6th Oct, 13.30 - 14.00. Please sign up to the webinar via this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/science-careers-in-defra-applicant-information-session-tickets-2002198338127

We expect to interview from the week commencing the 2nd November.

Person specification

This new and exciting role as a Science Strategy and Professions Officer sits within the Science Strategy, Quality and Reward team which is part of the Central Science Division as described above. The Science Strategy, Quality and Reward team helps to ensure:

• Central science resources sufficiently support priority science delivery across Defra
• Scientists have access to high-quality guidance on delivery
• That the professional science community across Defra’s organisations is connected
• Pay and reward for scientists reflects the specialist skills and expertise required to carry out their roles

This is a dynamic role within a small team, which provides an opportunity to lead on self-contained, discrete project work, including owning and updating specific guidance and policies, but will also support larger projects and initiatives and broad engagement with the Science profession in Defra.

Essential criteria

· A postgraduate science degree or equivalent, professional experience in a science or engineering discipline.

· Science and Policy: an understanding of how evidence, R&D, innovation and external expertise support policy, delivery and / or organisational resilience.

· Communication: experience briefing senior leaders, influencing stakeholders and communicating complex evidence or delivery issues clearly.

· Project delivery: strong organisational skills and experience delivering projects or programmes with multiple stakeholders, governance requirements and delivery milestones.

· Partnership development: ability to build productive relationships within and across organisational boundaries, including with academia, research organisations, PSREs, government departments or industry.

· Prioritisation and alignment: ability to understand and align your activity with wider team priorities, senior leadership expectations and future evidence needs.

· Risk Management: ability to identify emerging risks, opportunities and delivery gaps and translate them into practical interventions.

Candidates will be assessed on their experience and technical skills at the application stage, and the behaviours of communicating and influencing, working together and delivery at pace at the interview stage.

If a high number of applications are received, we will perform an initial sift based on personal statements.

Qualifications

A postgraduate qualification in science or engineering or equivalent, professional experience in a science or engineering discipline.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

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

• What area of science/engineering is your postgraduate qualification/equivalent experience in?

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Assessment Process

500- word personal statment that details examples covering the essential criteria within the person specificiation.

A CV detailing your last 5 years of employment, the positions and