Renewables Science Advice & Projects Co-ordinator

Do you want to play an important role in tackling the climate change emergency by helping to enable the sustainable development of offshore wind in Scotland?

OCTOBER START DATE

The Scottish Government is preparing for the implementation of a new HR and Finance platform and, as a result, some job offers will be subject to an October 2024 start date at the earliest. This will be confirmed as your application progresses.

We are looking for someone who:
• Is passionate about expanding the evidence base for sustainable offshore wind development
• Has experience of project co-ordination and collaboration with a range or groups or stakeholders
• Has experience of budgeting and financial processes with adherence to timelines and quality standards

If you are the above, then this exciting opportunity to join the Marine Directorate could be for you.

In January 2022, Crown Estate Scotland announced the successful applicants to the ScotWind offshore wind leasing round to commence a new phase of offshore wind farm construction in Scottish waters helping Scotland meet its Net Zero targets, become carbon neutral by 2045 and tackle the climate emergency. The Scottish Government is responsible for identifying where the ScotWind projects will be located, administering the related offshore planning consents, and ensuring that projects are delivered in an environmentally sustainable manner. The Renewables and Ecology Team (R&E) in the Marine Directorate provides specialist scientific advice to regulators and policy makers to support this.

The R&E team currently has around 25 staff who provide advice within government on the potential environmental impacts of marine energy on key receptors including birds, marine mammals, fish and fisheries, benthic habitats, and diadromous fish. Our specialists also provide advice on other Scottish Government policy priorities, such as marine protected area management and regulation of other marine activities.

This is a permanent post for a Renewables Science Advice & Projects Co-ordinator to join our team and help us to deliver advice and research projects to improve the evidence base required for the sustainable development of Scotland’s blue economy, with a particular focus on the ScotWind offshore wind energy leasing round. The post will support the management of projects that are developed and undertaken within the R&E team, including support on financial information.

Whilst we anticipate the role will be focussed on issues related to offshore wind, we operate a flexible resourcing policy within the Marine Directorate and as such the post-holder may be required to work on other areas of high priority work as required.

• Support and co-ordinate the development and delivery of research projects
• Budgeting and support for the financial management of projects
• Co-ordinate with R&E scientists and colleagues in the Offshore Wind Directorate as well as external partners to improve the evidence base for sustainable development in Scotland.
• Liaise with the R&E advice co-ordinator and the Marine Directorate Licensing and Operations Team to ensure high quality advice and outputs.

Competencies:

(Provide evidence at assessment / interview)

• Self Awareness
  
• Communications and Engagement
  
• Improving Performance
  
• Analysis and Use of Evidence

You will be assessed via the Science framework, please find out more below:

Science specialist competency framework

(Provide evidence in application form)

• Experience of successfully co-ordinating the development and delivery of projects, including on financial information and reporting progress back to funders.
  
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to explain project management and technical concepts to varied audiences.
  
• An ability to work both independently and as part of a team to successfully deliver defined tasks effectively and on time.
  
• Experience of following Standard Operating Procedures or similar process to ensure they are adhered to, and to identify any issues or improvements that could be made to ensure quality standards are met.

The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.

Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.

We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.

As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

WORKING PATTERN

Our standard hours are 37 hours per week, reducing to 35 hours per week for all staff on 1 October 2024. We offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options depending on the needs of the role. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.

EQUALITY STATEMENT

We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation. 

Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.

Find out more about Net Zero recruitment at: Net Zero roles at Scottish Government - Scottish Government Jobs

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.

CONTACT

For further information about this role at: Flora.kent@gov.scot