Forestry Commission Looking For Programme Lead at Keylong, Himachal Pradesh, Full Time

The role can be based in the Northern Research Station, Roslin EH25 9SY or Alice Holt Research Station, Farnham GU10 4LH with blended working which gives you the option to work some of the week from home, and some of the week from the workplace. There may be the opportunity to work from other Forest Research sites. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

About The Job

Job summary

Want to work at the cutting edge of environmental science research? Passionate about making a difference and playing your part in tackling the climate and nature crises? Forest Research (FR) is a leading UK scientific research organisation that provides impactful scientific data, evidence and advice to policymakers and practitioners. Internationally recognised, we want to work with people who have the skills and passion to deliver impactful science which informs practical solutions across the sector.

We’re small enough that your voice is heard, yet large enough, as part of the Forestry Commission, that we have everything on hand to get the job done, as well as a variety of career pathways. Our staff are dedicated to their work and sharing it with others to bring positive change for our natural environment. With locations across the UK, you will find us a flexible and inclusive employer who promotes agile working to help you manage your work life balance. If you want to be a part of a growing organisation that makes a difference, find out more at Homepage – Forest Research

The Centre for Inventory, Forecasting and Operational Support (IFOS) at Forest Research have been involved in mapping and field data collection solutions for over 20 years. IFOS provides practical software and data solutions to help our customers manage information about their woodland resource in a pragmatic and integrated way. We also provide information, evidence and official statistics on the woodland resource in GB. We do this by blending GIS, Data Science, Statistics, Mapping and Forestry skills providing analysis, modelling and data processing solutions to answer the questions and queries posed to us.

Job Description

This role will sit within the Field Data Services (FDS) team. FDS is responsible for the provision of high quality field data services to support scientific evidence and sustainable forest management. This is delivered through a network of highly trained professional staff and associates.

Reporting to the Head of Field Data Services, the purpose of the role is to oversee and co-ordinate programme delivery of the substantial suite of Field Data Services projects.

The successful candidate will:

• Work with the Head of Field Data Services, team managers, science groups and external customers to ensure the field programme is completed on time and within budget, that the objectives of the team are met and that colleagues are supported in delivering on time and to specification
• Work closely with the Head of Field Data Services and team managers to continually assess and improve our goals, objectives and KPI’s to drive performance improvements
• Agree and document the key deliverables with internal and external stakeholders Oversee programme delivery, keeping track of people and resources, to ensure the desired results are achieved, the most efficient resources are used and the different interests involved are satisfied. This will require organising the project participants into a series of matrix management meetings where options for improved monitoring will be discussed and agreed
• Work closely with team managers to monitor and track contractors/associates to ensure work is delivered on time within budget and to the agreed terms
• Report to senior stakeholders on progress and risks
• The role will involve direct line management responsibility of allocated staff

Person specification

Applicants should be motivated by what you do, with a proactive and ‘can-do’ approach to tasks with the ability and enthusiasm to coordinate multiple strands of activity within tight and often challenging deadlines. Strong influencing skills are key as is experience of building and maintaining positive relations with internal and external stakeholders, partners and colleagues. You must have excellent communication skills, including writing and reporting

Essential Criteria

• Degree level trained, or significant relevant experience
• Significant and demonstrable project management knowledge, skills and experience. Strong demonstrable organisational skills, relationship management, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience of financial responsibility with a high level of numeracy, a good understanding of Excel and the ability to develop financial reports, spend profiles and cost models
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including written and presentation outputs
• Experience of working with and influencing a wide range of stakeholders/partners
• High proficiency in the MS Office suite, especially Excel, Teams, Powerpoint and Word
• Occasional travel within the UK

Desirable Criteria

• Skills in gathering and using evidence to assess the costs, benefits and risks of delivery options when making commercial decisions
• Ability to provide constructive challenge to the highest levels of management
• Understanding relevant legal and commercial terms, concepts, policies and processes (including project approvals and assurance and delivery procedures) to deliver agreed outcomes
• Experience with providing a first pass reviews of legal documentation and working with external legal partners to ensure contractual risk is reduced

Behaviours

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Seeing the Big Picture

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £43,311, Forestry Commission – Forest Research contributes £11,693 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Your career

• Excellent professional development opportunities which are tailored to your role, with paid professional membership subscriptions, mentoring, and Civil Service Learning available to all
• access to world class laboratory facilities, as well as state of the art buildings within forest or science park settings

Your work/life balance

• flexible working options such as: up to two days flexi leave per month, blended working, part-time working, paid special leave, career breaks, and unpaid leave. Parents and carers will be supported to enable you to manage work and family responsibilities
• A generous annual leave allowance of 25 days on entry increasing by 1 day each year to a maximum of 30 days (pro-rata for part-timers). Plus 2.5 days of additional leave and 8 days’ paid bank/public holidays

Your wellbeing

• A culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment
• A range of wellbeing benefits including Employee Assistance Programme 24/7
• We want you to feel part of something bigger and we encourage a community feel in our workplaces, with everything from cookery competitions to Pilates and fell running, plus topical talks at Wellbeing Wednesdays and Feelgood Fridays
• Paid volunteering leave of 3 days per year so you can give back to your community and charitable causes by sharing your skills and time

Your Benefits

• a highly competitive Civil Service Pension where employer contributions starting at 26% of your salary
• an employee benefits scheme offering discounts on groceries, gym memberships, holidays, days out, online retailers and high street shops
• Cycle to Work scheme and Interest free loans
• Free parking is offered on-site, alongside electric car charging ports
• With maternity, adoption, and/or shared parental leave there’s the flexibility to have up to 26 weeks full pay, followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid leave. Paternity leave of up to two weeks is available with full pay.

Any move to Forest Research 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. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

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

Sift Date: 30th October 2023

Interview Date: 6th November 2023

If a large volume of applications is received, then we will sift on Experience/Technical Expertise and the Lead Behaviour, Managing a Quality Service. However, candidates will be expected to answer questions on all behaviours at the interview stage.

Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in Forest Research which may be at a lower grade but have a potential skills match.

Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success and we welcome applications from all people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role.

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.

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.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

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.

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.

Apply and further information

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 : hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk
• Email : hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : julie.brook@forestresearch.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 FR HR Services by email: hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.