Nature Recovery Advisor

The Forestry Commission works to increase the value of woodlands to society and the environment. Our work with England’s trees, woodlands and forests is vital to helping tackle climate change and provide a much-needed sanctuary for people and wildlife.The government has committed to increasing the tree canopy and woodland cover to at least 16.5% of total land area in England by 2050 and restore or create more than 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitats outside protected sites by 2042.

The Forestry Commission is working together with the Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) to support the forestry sector, landowners, farmers, stakeholders and communities in delivering these ambitions.

We aim to expand, protect, improve and connect woodlands across the country. If you are passionate about the role of trees, woodlands and forestry in creating a better future for England and want to play a key part in realising that we would like to hear from you.

The role will be based in the Policy and Advice Team in Forest Services (part of the Forestry Commission). The team provides advice, data and support to Defra trees, biodiversity and land use teams, and oversees a range of projects and activities within the Forestry Commission that seek to improve and expand woodland for biodiversity and other environmental outcomes.

These projects include supporting the development and delivery of Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) – a new statutory system of spatial planning for nature introduced under the Environment Act 2021. They also include initiatives delivered in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency to improve the condition of Protected Sites (including Protected Site Strategies and the proposed Nature Restoration Fund. Increasingly the team is involved in local strategic planning as new legislation places a greater focus on integration of nature recovery into spatial planning.

We are seeking highly motivated and highly collaborative individuals with skills and experience in nature conservation and sustainable forest management, and who are passionate about nature and nature-based solutions, to work as Nature Recovery Advisors within the Forestry Commission.

You will support the work of the Policy and Advice team, on both the development of advice and data to support policy development and statutory reporting. And you will support the implementation of projects within Forestry Commission that improve or expand woodland and tree planting for biodiversity and other environmental relationships. You will build strong working relationships with our national grant and regulatory teams, Area teams, as well as with Forestry England, Defra and other Defra Group delivery bodies such as Natural England.

As a Nature Recovery Advisor for the Forestry Commission, you will be an excellent ambassador for woodlands and forestry as a critical part of supporting the development of a landscape that is more wooded, richer in wildlife, delivering for people and where forestry plays a role in nature recovery.

The Nature Recovery Advisor (national) will be responsible for

1. Supporting the management, tracking and oversight of nature recovery projects in the Forestry Commission, by

• Assisting in the development and tracking of financial spend and of impacts of engagement with nature recovery projects
• Inputing to reporting to senior managers, Defra and relevant Boards on progress, critical success factors (against FC outcomes), expenditure, risks and issues.
• Contributing to the development of national guidance to support nature recovery projects

2. Building capability in Forest Services Area Teams through guidance, data products, advice and support so that they can provide effective and evidence-based support for local delivery of nature recovery outcomes, by:

• Providing content for operational guidance, operating procedures, or wider written communication.
• Developing evidence and data products to help local teams prioritise their engagement
• Supporting exchange of best practice and advising on casework

3. Representing Forestry Commission in external fora, helping to shape and inform Defra tree, biodiversity, strategic solutions and land use policies and programmes, under the direction of the Head of Nature Recovery, by

• Inputting to Defra and Natural England workstreams developing nature recovery policies and projects, negotiating outcomes for trees and woodland.
• Responding to consultations and delivery planning for nature recovery projects (including Protected Site Strategies, the Nature Restoration Fund and Local Nature Recovery Strategies).
• Summarising evidence and providing briefings on policy topics
• Working proactively with stakeholders to develop a range of shared approaches to delivery for woodlands and trees

4. Working with policy, operational and land management teams within the Forestry Commission to integrate action for biodiversity and other environmental outcomes within our advisory, grant, regulation and land management functions, by:

• Developing working relationships with Forestry England green finance, biodiversity and forest planning teams
• Strengthening collaboration with the Environment Agency and Natural England to expand tools to target woodland creation for water and air quality outcomes
• Strengthening collaboration with internal grants and regulation teams to align delivery with nature restoration or recovery outcomes.
• Strengthening collaboration with internal planning teams to promote nature recovery through local strategic planning, including in urban areas.

You will be expected to work closely with other FC teams and may also be asked to support other partnership or delivery activities within the teams and to support outcomes for nature and nature-based solutions.

You will be an excellent ambassador for woodlands and forestry, and an active listener.

You will work in a highly collaborative manner, within your team, FC, the wider Defra Group and with external stakeholders.

You will also be capable of absorbing and understanding a substantial volume of evidence and analysis, in order to engage in policy discussions and give sound advice.

You will be able to work from home or your parent office (see note on blended working below), with frequent travel to face-to-face meetings, and occasional overnight stays for example, for national meetings.

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