[Coral-List] Job Vacancy: Senior MPA Specialist, Joint Nature Conservation Committee

[Amy Ridgeway]

Job Announcement



Senior MPA Specialist - UK Offshore Area

Location: Aberdeen, UK

Closing Date: 7th August 2009



Further details: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-4892



Post Background

JNCC’s work on marine protected areas (MPAs) in UK Offshore
waters is rapidly expanding in line with the vision of the UK and the Scottish
Government “to recover and protect the richness of our marine wildlife and
environment through development of a strong, ecologically coherent and
well-managed network of marine protected areas” by 2012. The UK MPA network
will comprise marine Natura sites (SACs & SPAs) as required by the EC Birds
and Habitats Directives, together with new types of national marine protected
area designations proposed in the forthcoming legislation. In particular, the
UK Marine and Coastal Access Bill currently before Parliament makes provision
for the designation of Marine Conservation Zones (to be known as Marine
Protected Areas in offshore waters around Scotland) and establishes a
commitment to develop a UK MPA network. The Scottish Government recently
published proposals for a Scottish Marine Bill including recommendations on a
system of MPAs in Scottish inshore waters. 

JNCC is collaborating with the Statutory Nature Conservation
Bodies 1 Defra and the Devolved
Administrations on projects that will identify possible locations in offshore
waters to enable the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations to fulfil
their international and national commitments to establish a network of MPAs.. An
experienced Marine Projected Area Specialist is required to provide technical
advice and project management skills to support JNCC’s MPA work. They will work
closely with JNCC’s Marine Industries Advisors to support the development of
appropriate advice to sea-users and regulators.

 

Post Duties

The Senior MPA Specialist will lead the identification of
the MPAs in offshore waters. They will liaise with other JNCC staff and
colleagues in the Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies, UK Government
Departments and the Devolved Administrations to develop this work, ensuring
that the offshore work fits within the current policy framework, and has close
links with equivalent projects in other areas of the UK. 

A creative, dynamic and positive approach will be required
from the Senior MPA Specialist. Typical tasks will include: the preparation of
detailed project/research plans, provision of specialist technical input to
data analysis and interpretation to identify possible MPAs and commissioning of
appropriate research and data collection. The Senior MPA Specialist will
oversee the progress of the work and lead the liaison with other organisations,
particularly Scottish Natural Heritage and Scottish Government, to effectively
co-ordinate with other relevant projects.

At a technical level, the post-holder will co-ordinate the
planning of the offshore MPA network through the development of a Geographical
Information System (GIS) and database, co-ordination of data gathering
activities and oversight of mapping activities. The network will be developed
by combining relevant scientific information from stakeholders with ecological
and physical data in a central GIS and computer database planning unit. The
planning activities within this unit will involve the collation and processing
of relevant data into a GIS tool that can assist network selection.

The key responsibilities will be to:

·        
Build effective links from relevant teams within
the JNCC to those in other organisations to gain their commitment and support
to the MPA projects.

·        
Lead the analysis and modelling of relevant data
to identify possible MPAs in Offshore Waters

·        
Lead the development of a marine GIS and
database to identify a network of MPAs in Offshore Waters

·        
Develop procedures for ensuring high quality and
consistency in format of GIS maps and data capture

·        
Oversee the development of thematic maps and
their publication as hard copies and on the internet

·        
Work closely with the Marine Industries Advisors
in JNCC and other organisations to oversee the development conservation
objectives and management advice for MPA features.

·        
To motivate, manage and guide project staff,
contractors and consultants, in order to ensure the successful delivery of the
project aspirations and objectives.

·        
Ensure that the projects engage with key
stakeholders in other European Member states and facilitates their involvement
in key decision making stages of the project (this will include Regional
Advisory Councils (for Fisheries), the European Commission,  Government
Agencies and NGOs, European Fishing Organisations)

·        
To provide regular reports senior Management
that succinctly describe, review and monitor progress towards the delivery of
project’s actions and outputs. 

·        
To manage effectively budgets, including funding
reporting and audit requirements. 

·        
To represent the JNCC at meetings, conferences
and partnership bodies.

The post-holder may be required to commission other work to
support the project as necessary.

 









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