East Midlands (England), East of England, London (region), North East England, North West England, South East England, South West England, West Midlands (England), Yorkshire and the Humber Job Summary We are seeking a well-motivated individual with skills and experience related to project management, research commissioning and policy support, and who is passionate about sustainable forest management and woodland creation, especially from the cultural services perspective. The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woodlands, while increasing their value to society and the environment. The Policy and Advice team provides technical advice and support to the wider Forestry Commission and to Defra, and other government departments. This post is located within the People, Landscape and Historic Environment (PHEL) team and will primarily support the work of the Research Strategy Reference Group (RSRG), managing FS’s input, as well as providing project and communication support to the policy areas within the PHEL team. The RSRG reports to the Forest Governance Group, it represents the interests of England, Scotland and Wales in relation to research commissioning, and oversees the Science and Innovation Strategy agreed with Forest Research. As well as oversight on longer term research programmes it also supports an annual programme of research projects, agreed by all the GB countries as relative immediate priorities. Forest Services are currently providing the secretariat for the RSRG, and this role will support that service. Working in the Policy and Advice team (PAt) requires significant Forestry Commission cross-team working and maintaining close working relationships with DEFRA and other departments, Arm’s Length Body (ALB) delivery partners, and stakeholders. This post will also require working with other GB forestry agencies and departments. Location The post holder can work from any Forest Services or Defra Office, including Bristol, York, London, and others. The post holder may occasionally be expected to travel within the UK to fulfil the job role with some overnight stays possible. Blended working optional. Job Description Planning support the PAt PB2 leading the FS management of the RSRG working with colleagues across FS to promote research opportunities and bring forward research projects create a project plan for delivery of the agreed projects ensure prompt delivery from the project owners in FS, and support their project management manage progress reporting to RSRG project manage the revision of the new Science and Innovation Strategy Delivery support delivery of the PHEL team’s work by: maintaining key documents such as project timeline, risk register and actions log; managing and monitoring progress, taking appropriate action to address issues as required; reporting progress against delivery of agreed actions; and ensuring as change is rolled out it is embedded in the business Strategic Awareness work across Forest Services to help promote the work of the RSRG, and the wider understanding of the work of the People, Landscape and Historic Environment team. Communication, engagement and team working communicating plans and progress to a variety of stakeholders regularly and with clarity and confidence; building and maintain good working relationships with stakeholders; and representing the FC with stakeholders as required. Planning support the PAt PB2 leading the FS management of the RSRG working with colleagues across FS to promote research opportunities and bring forward research projects create a project plan for delivery of the agreed projects ensure prompt delivery from the project owners in FS, and support their project management manage progress reporting to RSRG project manage the revision of the new Science and Innovation Strategy Delivery support delivery of the PHEL team’s work by: maintaining key documents such as project timeline, risk register and actions log; managing and monitoring progress, taking appropriate action to address issues as required; reporting progress against delivery of agreed actions; and ensuring as change is rolled out it is embedded in the business Strategic Awareness work across Forest Services to help promote the work of the RSRG, and the wider understanding of the work of the People, Landscape and Historic Environment team. Communication, engagement and team working communicating plans and progress to a variety of stakeholders regularly and with clarity and confidence; building and maintain good working relationships with stakeholders; and representing the FC with stakeholders as required. Person specification Essential Strong written and oral communication Excellent organisational and project management Ability to deliver at pace on a high-profile programme Experience of developing effective relationships with a range of public and private sector Ability to manage a busy workload and quickly respond to emerging or changing priorities Highly competent IT user with experience of the MS Office suite of applications DESIRABLE experience of administering a research programme Robust knowledge of the forestry land management sector, including the access, landscape and historic environment elements Experience and confidence in delivering presentations and/or training Change or Project Management qualifications Experience and skills in the creation of resource materials i.e. Advanced powerpoint, graphic packages, copy writing for social media etc. Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Seeing the Big Picture Making Effective Decisions Communicating and Influencing Delivering at Pace Alongside your salary of £39,135, Forestry Commission contributes £11,337 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%. A range of family friendly benefits. An environment with flexible working options. Learning and development tailored to your role. A culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment. A range of wellbeing benefits including discounted Civil Service Healthcare, access to an Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, Bike to Work Scheme, plus many more. 25 days annual leave, with 1 additional day for each years’ service up to 5 years (pro rata), plus 10.5 bank holidays/privilege days (pro rata). Ability to buy or sell 5 days annual leave. 3 days volunteering per year (pro rata). We aim to provide a great place to work, whichever location you work from. Blended working forms part of our flexible and inclusive approach to future ways of working. It is an informal arrangement which gives you the option to work some of the week from home, and some of the week from our Forestry Commission workplaces, subject to role requirements, business needs, and regular review. Informal blended working arrangements will be available as agreed with the line manager. Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience. This is a Fixed Term Appointment ending 31st March 2026 with possibility but no guarantee of permanency or extension. As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed below. A tailored CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements, of no more than two Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years. A personal statement – in no more than 750 words showing how you meet the criteria of the person specification. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. Applications will be sifted on the week commencing 11th August 2022. This date is subject to change. At interview you will be assessed on the listed Behaviours as well as Experience and Strength based questions. You may be asked to prepare a presentation as part of this. Interviews will be held on the week commencing 18th August. This date is subject to change. We will be conducting online interviews with the use of Microsoft Teams. Candidates would therefore require access to a computer and internet at interview stage. Further Information A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Any move to Forestry Commission from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website. If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out. In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. Successful candidates if using their own private vehicle for business travel will need to comply with the Forestry Commission travel policy on CO2 emissions (115g maximum CO2/km) Where a role has been identified as one which falls under the scope of the Public Sector English Language Requirements, within Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, it is essential that applicants should have the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English. Applicants will be assessed in the selection process in accordance with the requirements. 2022). Existing Civil Servants (excluding Forestry Commission employees) and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, and will only be considered on a loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. Existing Forestry Commission, Forestry England and Forest Research employees are eligible to apply for this Fixed Term Appointment and will only be considered if there is written confirmation from their line manager and HR that their current role will be temporarily backfilled or held open before commencing the application process. This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying. 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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. Reasonable Adjustment If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact Government Recruitment Service via FCERecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional. If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section. Feedback Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window). Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job Contact Name : FS Recruitment Team Email : fs.recruitment@forestrycommission.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : fcerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk Further information Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles.If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact FCE by email: englandhr.services@forestryengland.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.. Location : London, England, United Kingdom